The Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the Institute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies (IACCHOS) and the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Socialization, Education and Training (GIRSEF). The position focuses on social and digital inequalities and school-to-work transitions, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of working-class youth in the Brussels-Capital Region. Under the supervision of Professors Géraldine André (main promoter) and Margherita Bussi (co-promoter), the successful candidate will conduct full-time postdoctoral research. The research aims to map the digital practices and uses of working-class young people as they transition to adulthood and interact with public institutions. The project involves ethnographic fieldwork in working-class neighborhoods and public services supporting youth employment transitions, as well as organizing and leading participatory workshops. The position is a full-time contract (100%) for 18 months, renewable once, starting on 1 March 2026. The role is based at UCLouvain and offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic interdisciplinary environment. Applicants should have a PhD in sociology, education, anthropology, or a related field, with experience in ethnographic research and participatory methods. Familiarity with digital inequalities and youth studies is highly valued. Funding is provided through a fixed-term employment contract, with salary and benefits according to UCLouvain standards. The application deadline is 25 January 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the official UCLouvain job portal.

The Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) is seeking a full-time postdoctoral researcher to join the Institute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies (IACCHOS) and the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Socialization, Education and Training (GIRSEF). The position focuses on social and digital inequalities and school-to-work transitions, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of working-class youth in the Brussels-Capital Region. Under the supervision of Professors Géraldine André (main promoter) and Margherita Bussi (co-promoter), the successful candidate will conduct ethnographic research to map the digital practices and uses of young people as they transition from school to work and interact with public institutions. The research will involve fieldwork in working-class neighborhoods and public services supporting youth employment transitions, as well as the organization and facilitation of participatory workshops. The position is offered as a full-time contract (100%) for 18 months, with the possibility of renewal for an additional term. The start date is March 1, 2026. Applicants should have a PhD in sociology, education, or a related social science discipline, and demonstrate experience with ethnographic methods, participatory research, and working with youth populations. Familiarity with issues of digital and social inequalities is highly desirable. The working language may include French and/or English. This opportunity is ideal for researchers interested in youth studies, social and digital inequalities, and the intersection of education and public policy. The research will contribute to a better understanding of how digital practices shape the school-to-work transition for marginalized youth and inform public services and policy interventions in the Brussels region. For more information and to apply, visit the official UCLouvain job portal. The application deadline is January 25, 2026.

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.