PhD Positions in Anthropology and Interdisciplinary Research on Asylum Procedures at KU Leuven

KU Leuven’s Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology is offering PhD positions as part of the interdisciplinary UNPACK project, focusing on asylum procedures in Belgium. The research aims to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for fairness in asylum procedures, combining front-office and back-office perspectives. This project is funded by iBOF and involves collaboration with Ghent University and the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS). The research areas include anthropology, linguistics, psychology, law, and migration studies, with a strong emphasis on ethnographic fieldwork and interdisciplinary approaches. The successful candidates will join a dynamic team of 8 researchers and 4 professors, engaging in hands-on fieldwork and publication opportunities. The project seeks to address key issues in refugee and asylum processes, making it ideal for candidates interested in social justice, migration, and policy research. Applicants must have an internationally recognized Master’s degree in Anthropology or a closely related field. Essential skills include teamwork, a keen interest in refugee and asylum issues, and excellent analytical, writing, and presentation abilities. Language requirements are strict: C2 proficiency in Dutch or French, B1 in the other, and fluent academic English. The selection committee values diversity sensitivity, intercultural skills, empathy, accuracy, critical thinking, and openness to feedback. Additional assets include experience with ethnographic fieldwork in government or immigration institutions, familiarity with refugee-relevant languages, experience working with vulnerable populations, and interdisciplinary research experience. The offer includes a full-time doctoral studentship with a competitive stipend, adjusted for family situation and seniority, as well as additional benefits such as a year-end bonus, vacation pay, eco-cheques, and travel or fuel reimbursement. The initial contract is for 12 months, renewable up to a maximum of 48 months. The preferred start date is September 1, 2026. To apply, candidates should prepare a CV, transcript of records, a motivation letter (maximum 2 pages), a copy of their Master’s diploma (if available), and a 1-page summary of their Master’s thesis or a recent academic publication. Applications must be submitted via the KU Leuven online portal by March 15, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by April 3, 2026, and interviews will be held in Ghent on April 20–21 or May 4–5, 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Karel Arnaut at [email protected].