Karen Lahousse

The Leuven Interdisciplinary Language Institute (LILI) at KU Leuven is a newly established platform dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research and education around language. LILI unites researchers from KU Leuven's three science groups, aiming to address major societal challenges such as language in hyper-diverse societies, the relationship between language and power, and the use of large language models. The institute also seeks to build a strong impact network with societal actors, fostering knowledge co-creation and responding to practitioner questions. LILI is recruiting an institute coordinator to work closely with the Board of Directors and steering committee. The coordinator will help set strategic directions, manage organizational activities, increase international visibility, organize networking opportunities, establish new research collaborations, and support the attraction of international research funding. Key responsibilities include facilitating interdisciplinary contacts among members and external partners, organizing lecture series, symposia, and matchmaking events, identifying funding opportunities, supporting project proposals, developing training offers for young researchers (including summer/winter schools and micro-credentials), and stimulating cooperation with social and industrial partners through impact networks and events. The coordinator will also contribute to expanding LILI as a center of expertise that actively engages in public debate on language. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a field relevant to LILI’s research priorities, a strong affinity with language research, experience in interdisciplinary research, management skills, and relevant experience with the described tasks. Excellent communication skills and the ability to build an international network with academic and non-academic partners are essential. Candidates must demonstrate high proficiency in Dutch and English (minimum C1 level for both languages). The position is offered as a postdoctoral collaborator (scale 44 - doctor-assistant) for a period of 2 years, renewable once for a total of 4 years. A part-time appointment (80%) is negotiable. The role provides a varied and challenging mandate within a dynamic team, with opportunities for growth and increased responsibility. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. For more information, visit LILI project page or contact prof. dr. Geert Brône ([email protected]) or prof. dr. Karen Lahousse ([email protected]). Applications must be submitted via the KU Leuven online application tool by 10 August 2026. Interviews will take place on 27 August 2026, either on site or online. KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful, and socially safe environment, embracing diversity and open dialogue as essential for ambitious research and education. The university does not accept discrimination of any kind and offers support for accessibility and equal opportunity.

The Leuvens Interdisciplinair Taalinstituut (LILI – Leuven Interdisciplinary Language Institute) at KU Leuven is a dynamic platform dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research and education in language. By uniting researchers from KU Leuven's three science groups, LILI places language at the forefront of interdisciplinary inquiry and public debate, tackling major societal challenges such as the role of language in hyperdiverse societies, the relationship between language and power, and the use of large language models. The institute also builds a robust impact network with stakeholders from various sectors to address practical questions and foster knowledge co-creation. KU Leuven aims to establish LILI as an internationally leading center, attracting scientists and students engaged in interdisciplinary language research. The institute is seeking a motivated Instituutscoördinator (Institute Coordinator) to work closely with the Board of Directors and steering committee, setting strategic directions and helping realize LILI's mission. The coordinator will be responsible for organizational and management activities, increasing international visibility, organizing networking opportunities, initiating new research collaborations, and supporting the acquisition of international research funding for LILI. Key responsibilities include facilitating interdisciplinary contacts among institute members and external research partners through lectures, brainstorming sessions, symposia, and matchmaking events; identifying funding opportunities for interdisciplinary research; actively supporting and developing project proposals from LILI members; creating training offerings for (young) researchers with an interdisciplinary profile via summer/winter schools and microcredential modules; stimulating transdisciplinary collaboration with societal and industrial partners by building an impact network and organizing networking events; and developing LILI as a broad expertise center contributing to societal debates about language. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in setting up and managing interdisciplinary projects with consortia of various sizes. Applicants must hold a PhD in a domain aligned with LILI's research themes, possess a strong affinity for language research, and demonstrate experience in interdisciplinary research. Excellent management skills, relevant experience with the described tasks, and outstanding communication abilities are required. Candidates should be able to build an international network of contacts with both academic and non-academic partners and must have a high proficiency in Dutch and English (minimum C1 level for both languages). The position is offered as a postdoctoral appointment (barema 44 - doctor-assistent) for two years, renewable once. A part-time appointment (80%) is negotiable. The successful candidate will join a vibrant team of researchers from diverse domains and benefit from a varied and challenging mandate. KU Leuven is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and socially safe community, embracing diversity as a valuable asset and striving for equal opportunities. For more information, visit the project page or contact Prof. Dr. Geert Brône ([email protected]) or Prof. Dr. Karen Lahousse ([email protected]). Applications must be submitted online by 10 August 2026. Selection interviews will take place on 27 August 2026. KU Leuven encourages applicants from all backgrounds and offers support for accessibility and inclusion.