Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) or Associate Professor in Sociology (with specialization in Youth Studies)

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

Founded in 2003, the University of Luxembourg is a research university focused on tomorrow’s major societal challenges, including digital transformation, medicine and health, and sustainable and societal development. With over 1’000 doctoral candidates among 7’500 students as well as 300 professors, the University distinguishes itself with its international and multilingual character, an interdisciplinary approach, and a personalised learning environment.

The Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) brings together expertise from the humanities, linguistics, cognitive sciences, social sciences, and educational sciences. Scholars from across 20 disciplines are working within the Faculty. Along with disciplinary approaches, a very ambitious interdisciplinary research culture has been developed.

The Faculty’s research and teaching focuses on social, economic, political and educational issues with the common goal of contributing to an inclusive, open and resourceful society. The FHSE offers seven Bachelor’s and twenty Master’s degrees and hosts a doctoral school providing students with the necessary knowledge and high-qualified skills to succeed in their future careers.

Your role

The Department of Social Sciences within the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences is seeking a leading academic to join its team as Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor in Sociology (with specialization in Youth Studies).

The successful candidate will have a research profile related to sociology with a focus on young people and one or more of the following areas: intergenerational relations, migration, social inequalities, digitality, life course.

The candidate is expected to engage in two primary research activities:

• Developing and refining theoretical frameworks that enhance our understanding of youth and young adulthood in Luxembourg and beyond, adopting comparative and life course perspectives
• Creating and applying the conceptual and empirical tools necessary to advance this research agenda in Luxembourg

The candidate will also contribute to ongoing research of the Youth Research Group led by Prof. Dr. Robin Samuel and collaborate with the Ministry of National Education, Childhood, and Youth, and other relevant national stakeholders as well as with representatives of supranational structures at the EU and the international level.

Teaching areas:

The successful candidate is expected to teach in the Bachelor en Sciences Sociales et Educatives (BSSE) and in the Master in Social Sciences and Educational Sciences (MASSES), providing teaching in sociology, migration, youth, and intergenerational relations. Teaching is also expected in the Doctoral School in Humanities and Social Sciences.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Robin Samuel/Email: robin.samuel@uni.lu

Your profile

• A Ph.D. in Sociology or in a related discipline
• Ideally a minimum of three years of post-doctoral experience in a university or comparable research centre
• An appropriate international research profile, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, books, conference participation, and collaboration in international research initiatives
• University-level teaching experience at the undergraduate and the postgraduate level
• Expertise in theories of youth and intergenerational relations and a strong focus on theoretical development
• Proficiency in empirical research methods (qualitative, quantitative, or both) and willingness to contribute to empirical research projects
• Experience in bridging theory and practice, bringing academic excellence to addressing local issues with practitioners
• Willingness to engage in teamwork in teaching and research groups
• Ability to work autonomously

Language requirements:

The University of Luxembourg is set in a multilingual context. The person hired on this position must be proficient in English and either French or German. The University encourages its staff to learn the other language and provides access to language courses to this end.

We offer

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR)
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …
• An exceptional research environment and skilled support staff
• Very good opportunities for external funding
• Services to promote staff well-being and work-life balance

How to apply

Submit application online including:

• Cover letter
• Detailed CV, including periods of absence from work (or where the effect has been equivalent to absence) including family-related leave and career breaks
• Complete list of publications and copies of max. 5 recent publications relevant for the field of the position
• Copies of diplomas
• List and short description of external research funding acquired over the past 5 (five) years
• List of PhD theses supervised
• List of teaching activities over the past 5 (five) years, including courses taught
• Statement of research, teaching and other activities planned at the University of Luxembourg
• The names, contact information and present position of 3 referees who can, upon request, provide an assessment on the application. Please indicate their relationship to you

Applications should be addressed to Prof. Dr. Robert Harmsen (Dean of the Faculty). Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. To ensure full consideration, candidates should apply by 5 May 2025 ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

General Information:

• Contract type: Fixed-term contract - 5 years (tenure track), with a perspective of a permanent position and promotion to Associate Professor upon positive evaluation. In the case of an excellent, more senior candidate, a direct appointment at the level of Associate Professor with a permanent contract may be considered.
• Working hours: Full-time (40h/week)
• Location: Campus Belval, Esch-sur-Alzette
• Job Reference: UOL07163/F3-050005 (to be mentioned in all correspondence)

Gender equality:

The University of Luxembourg is committed to achieving gender parity among its academic staff and aims to eliminate obstacles to recruitment of female professors and their career development. Should candidates present equivalent CVs, preference will be given to female candidates in all departments where gender parity is not yet achieved. The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.