The Leuven International and European Studies research unit (LINES) at KU Leuven is offering a postdoctoral assistant position embedded within its Jean Monnet Centre for EU External Action in a World in Transition (EU ExAct). LINES is a vibrant, internationally oriented research group within the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, dedicated to innovative and societally relevant research on European and international politics and governance. The group’s research spans European political processes, global relations, and external perceptions of Europe, with a focus on justice, responsibility, contestation, and cooperation across diverse regions including Africa, the Balkans, the USA, China, and international organizations. EU ExAct provides a hub for developing new theoretical and empirical approaches to EU external action, addressing topics such as geopolitics, European strategic autonomy, EU diplomacy, parliamentary diplomacy, institutional adaptation to crises, and new forms of bilateral and multilateral cooperation (BRICS+, East Asia, transatlantic relations, etc.). The successful postdoctoral candidate will contribute to ongoing research and teaching activities, collaborate on developing competitive research proposals (especially for European Framework Programmes like Horizon Europe), and help shape the future research agenda of LINES. Responsibilities include conducting high-quality research aligned with LINES and EU ExAct core themes, organizing academic service and outreach activities (workshops, conferences, research sessions), fostering dialogues between practitioners and researchers, and supporting junior researchers and PhD students. Occasional teaching at BA and MA levels (in English and/or Dutch) is expected. The position also involves research management duties, such as developing research policy, writing collective proposals, and coordinating projects in close dialogue with the head of the research unit. Candidates are encouraged to apply for individual postdoctoral projects (e.g., via Research Foundation Flanders, FWO) and to develop their own research agenda within the group. Applicants must have recently obtained a PhD in Political Science and/or International Relations (after 1 October 2024), with an excellent academic record (at least three publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and ongoing submissions). Experience with qualitative and quantitative methods, theory-building, successful grant applications, and collaboration is essential. Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills (English C1/C2) are required, as is experience in university-level teaching. Three academic letters of recommendation must be provided. The offer includes a 2-year contract (0.8 to 1.0 FTE) starting around April 2026, with salary and benefits according to KU Leuven’s postdoctoral staff scales (salary scale 44). KU Leuven provides a wide range of training opportunities for young researchers, including language, personal, and managerial skills development. The university is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, and offers support for accessibility and individual needs. For further information, contact Prof. dr. Kolja Raube at [email protected]. Applications should be submitted via the KU Leuven job portal before 20 January 2026. More details about working at KU Leuven can be found on their website.

The Leuven International and European Studies (LINES) research unit at KU Leuven, in collaboration with the Jean Monnet Centre for EU External Action in a World in Transition (EU ExAct), invites applications for a postdoctoral position as Doctor-assistent in International and European Studies. LINES is a vibrant, internationally oriented research group within the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences at KU Leuven. The group is dedicated to innovative and societally relevant fundamental research on European and international politics and governance, drawing strength from the diversity of its members’ research foci and methodologies. LINES focuses on European political processes, Europe’s relations with the world, and external perceptions of Europe, with research spanning regions such as Africa, the Balkans, the US, China, and international organizations. EU ExAct is committed to understanding the evolving landscape of EU external action in today’s rapidly changing world. The center aims to develop new theoretical approaches and empirical research to grasp the complexity of EU external action, including the rise of geopolitics, European strategic autonomy, EU diplomacy (especially parliamentary diplomacy), institutional adaptation to external challenges, and new forms of bilateral and multilateral cooperation (e.g., BRICS+, East Asia, transatlantic relations). The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the future research agenda of LINES and EU ExAct, contributing to ongoing research and teaching activities, and actively collaborating with team members to identify and develop competitive research proposals, particularly in response to major funding opportunities such as Horizon Europe. The position emphasizes a collaborative research strategy, integrating diverse themes, methodologies, and international partnerships. The postdoctoral researcher is encouraged to apply for individual research projects (notably with the FWO) and is expected to demonstrate intellectual leadership in aligning research proposals with the group’s agenda while developing their own research trajectory. Responsibilities include writing research proposals for (inter)national funds, publishing in leading international journals (individually and collaboratively), managing research projects, organizing academic outreach activities (workshops, conferences, practitioner dialogues), and supporting the group’s collective responsibilities (teaching, student supervision, exam oversight, recruitment). The candidate will also mentor junior researchers and PhD students and occasionally contribute to teaching at BA and MA levels in English and/or Dutch. Applicants must have recently obtained a PhD in political science and/or international relations (after 1 October 2024), with a strong academic record (at least three peer-reviewed publications), research presented at international conferences, and experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods. A proven track record in research grant applications, collaboration, project management, and teaching is essential. Excellent English communication skills (C1/C2) are required, and three academic reference letters must be included. The position offers a two-year contract (0.8–1.0 FTE) starting around April 1, 2026, with salary and benefits according to KU Leuven postdoctoral staff scales (salary scale 44). KU Leuven provides a stimulating, international environment and a wide range of training opportunities for young researchers. The university is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities. For more information, contact Prof. Dr. Kolja Raube at [email protected]. Apply via the KU Leuven job portal before January 20, 2026.