The Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher position focused on social and digital inequalities and school-to-work transitions. This full-time, 18-month (renewable) contract is based at the Institute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies (IACCHOS) and the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Socialisation, Education, and Training (GIRSEF) in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. The position is part of the DIGIYOUTH project, funded by Innoviris – Prospective Research, and is supervised by Professors Géraldine André and Margherita Bussi.

The research explores how digital technologies and social factors shape the transition from school to work for young people (aged 16–30) in the Brussels-Capital Region. It addresses two main questions: the influence of digital technologies on these transitions, and possible scenarios for school-to-work transitions in 2040. The project combines fundamental and prospective research, using ethnographic and digital ethnographic methods to analyze the digital practices of youth from working-class neighborhoods and their interactions with digitized public services. The role of digital skills, social stratification, and public policy in shaping these transitions is central to the research agenda.

The successful candidate will conduct empirical research in diverse settings, organize participatory workshops, and contribute to interdisciplinary collaboration within the research group. Applicants must hold a PhD in sociology, social and political sciences, or education sciences, and demonstrate experience in ethnographic and qualitative research methods. Fluency in French and a good command of English are required; knowledge of other languages spoken in Brussels is an asset. Familiarity with the Brussels-Capital Region and prospective analysis methods is beneficial.

The position offers a competitive salary and employment conditions according to UCLouvain regulations. Applications must be submitted online as a single PDF including a cover letter, CV, a representative publication, an explanatory note, and a copy of the doctorate degree. The deadline for applications is 25 January 2026, with interviews scheduled for early February and a start date of 1 March 2026.

This is an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers interested in the intersection of social inequalities, digitalization, youth transitions, and public policy in an interdisciplinary and international environment.