Social and Cultural Anthropologist with Expertise in Latin America

About this position

You are expected to develop an international research program aimed at producing high-quality scholarly output. You will actively support and promote the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology in national and international research collaborations. We invite candidates with strong and sustained ethnographic engagement in Latin America.We particularly encourage applications from candidates specializing at the intersection of political and environmental anthropology (e.g., political economy, extractivism, indigeneity and resistance, social action, decolonization).

The department is also committed to further expanding its engagement with innovative and creative research methods; candidates with experience in these areas will therefore be given priority.

The Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology offers two Master’s programs: a two-year Master in Social and Cultural Anthropology (taught in English and Dutch) and a one-year Advanced Master in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies (CADES).Your teaching responsibilities will include several courses (a maximum of three), including introductory or methodological courses in general anthropology at the bachelor’s level, but primarily at the master’s level, as well as courses within your areas of theoretical and regional expertise. You will supervise both master’s thesis students and PhD candidates. Your teaching will meet KU Leuven’s standards and align with the university’s educational vision.

You will contribute to the internal functioning of the university and demonstrate engagement with society. This includes participation in departmental activities (e.g., meetings, teaching days, information sessions, recruitment activities, exchange programs), and, at a later stage, potentially taking on coordination of the research unit and other leadership roles such as head of department or programme director.Part of your time will be devoted to service to the broader academic community, for example through membership in academic associations (such as WAU, EASA, or ALA) and editorial work for academic journals. You will contribute to shaping the department’s educational policy (e.g., through participation in teaching committees) and take an active role in faculty governance (e.g., faculty council).Your research will also have a public dimension: you will actively disseminate your work to wider audiences and/or engage in various forms of societal outreach.

Applicants must hold a PhD in social or cultural anthropology, or in a closely related field within the social sciences or humanities, with a demonstrated track record in anthropology. In order to diversify conceptual and epistemological approaches in our research and teaching, we particularly welcome candidates who obtained a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree in Latin America.We are seeking a colleague with broad theoretical interests and a strong background in ethnographic research methods. The successful candidate will have an outstanding research profile, demonstrated by the quality of their PhD research (e.g., sample dissertation chapters), publications in leading anthropological journals, research impact (citations, alternative metrics, public anthropology), and success in securing research funding.We place great importance on professional and ethical conduct, a collaborative spirit, mentorship, inclusivity, and collegiality.

The candidate is expected to have a strong international network and a willingness to further develop it.In line with their level of experience, candidates should demonstrate excellent teaching skills (including experience with large groups) and strong leadership abilities (e.g., PhD supervision, academic administration, and management of team-based research projects).Given the requirement for in-depth familiarity with Latin American anthropological literature, the successful candidate must have an excellent command of either Spanish or Portuguese. In addition, a strong command of academic English is required, enabling immediate participation in English-language teaching programs.The official administrative language at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or not yet proficiently) at the start of your appointment, the university will provide language training to enable your participation in meetings.

We offer a part-time (80%) position in an intellectually stimulating and international environment. You will be based in Leuven, a historic and vibrant city in the heart of Belgium, located 20 minutes from Brussels and less than two hours from Paris, London, and Amsterdam. Residence in Belgium is required for this position.The successful candidate will be appointed as a tenure-track lecturer for a period of five years.

Following a positive evaluation, this will lead to a permanent (tenured) appointment at the level of associate professor. Candidates without substantial prior funding (e.g., ERC) will be offered a start-up grant of €110,000 to facilitate research initiation and early career development. The expected start date is September 2027.From the outset, you will be able to independently develop your own research agenda, supervise PhD candidates, and secure external research funding.KU Leuven welcomes international academics and their families and provides practical support with immigration and administrative procedures, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, and partner career support.

Further information is available here.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Noel B. Salazar, mail: noel.salazar@kuleuven.be ; Prof. dr. Steven Eggermont, mail: steven.eggermont@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Karel Arnaut, mail: karel.arnaut@kuleuven.be . For problems with online applying, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and will therefore ask you to sign a research integrity statement upon appointment.