About us
The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.
The new Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems (LCSES) strives to grow into an internationally recognised research hub for a more sustainable and equitable world. Our researchers address critical environmental challenges and guide sustainable resource management and public policy. As an interdisciplinary centre, LCSES brings together experts from various fields, including biodiversity research, global food security, One Health, and the governance of common goods. At the core is the recognition that global environmental disruptions such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion are closely linked with societal systems. To address these complex issues, we take a systemic approach and study the interconnectedness of human activities and the environment. Our goal is to help societies to transition to sustainable, socially just, and environmentally friendly solutions by bridging disciplines and fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and society.
Your role
This position addresses the growing challenges to human health stemming from the pressures of continuous climate change, environmental degradation, pollution, resource scarcity, and global interconnectedness. The successful candidate will conduct quantitative research on the combined effects of these factors on key determinants of human health, such as zoonotic diseases, nutrition insecurity, or climate-induced health risks. While taking a global perspective, the candidate is also expected to demonstrate the ability to ground their research in national, regional, or local contexts.
Strong emphasis will be placed on synthesis approaches, such as meta-analytic techniques and the analysis of large-scale health data, to systematically integrate evidence and identify patterns across diverse health outcomes. The ideal candidate will bring a proven interdisciplinary background, evidenced by collaborations across the environmental and social sciences, to inform evidence-based policy and sustainable solutions.
This professorship is part of LCSES's commitment to advancing socio-environmental research and generating actionable knowledge at the intersection of human health and global environmental change. The appointed professor will join an intellectually vibrant and interdisciplinary environment, working closely with colleagues focused on health and well-being across the University. They will play a vital role in shaping evidence-informed health strategies for a more resilient and sustainable future.
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Ralf Seppelt, Director of the Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems (LCSES)
Email:
Your profile
Candidates should have a proven track record in quantitative health research and experience working with big data. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong interdisciplinary and team-working skills, with evidence of successfully integrating insights from environmental sciences, public health, and socio-economic research to develop innovative strategies for mitigating health risks associated with global change. A demonstrated ability to engage with stakeholders in policymaking and public health is beneficial.
The ideal candidate will have:
- A PhD in a relevant field (e.g., epidemiology, environmental science, agricultural economics, statistics, ecology, geography, or related disciplines)
- A strong capability to think out of the box and shape their research around the challenges posed by interdisciplinary questions
- A strong record of research excellence, evidenced by impactful publications and success in securing external research funding
- Experience in utilizing synthesis approaches, such as meta-analysis, to integrate and evaluate findings across diverse datasets and studies that quantify and assess the cascading effects of environmental change on human health
- Experience in conducting interdisciplinary research initiatives and collaborate with experts in environmental science, public health, and social sciences
- The ability to translate scientific insights into actionable strategies and policy interventions
- A demonstrated commitment to mentoring and fostering the next generation of researchers
- Willingness to contribute to teaching programmes at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas related to global health, environmental change, and socio-environmental systems
The University of Luxembourg is set in a multilingual and multicultural context. The person hired on this position must be proficient in English. Proficiency in French or German is considered an advantage. The University actively supports language development among its staff and offers access to language courses to this end.
We offer
- An active role in the start-up team shaping and designing Luxembourg's new interdisciplinary Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems (LCSES) launched in 2025
- A modern and dynamic university with a personal atmosphere. Multilingual and international character. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
- An exceptional research environment and skilled support staff. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure
- A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …
- Competitive salary and benefits packages. Very good opportunities for external funding. Support for career development and mentoring. Services to promote staff well-being and work-life balance
How to apply
Applications should be submitted online only and contain:
- A concise statement of research (max. 3 pages) outlining a research agenda for the next 5 years embedded in the research mission of the Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems (https://www.uni.lu/lcses-en/) and underpinned by own recent research projects or key publications
- A statement (max. 2 pages) on teaching and supervision in the context of LCSES
- A detailed CV, including periods of absence from work (or where the effect has been equivalent to absence), family-related leave and career breaks
- Complete lists of publications, PhD theses supervised, and teaching activities over the past 5 years
- The names, contact information and present position of 3 referees who can, upon request, provide an assessment of the application, with indication of their relationship to the candidate
Applications should be addressed to Prof. Dr. Ralf Seppelt. We encourage early application. Submissions are possible until the position is filled. Applications will be handled in strict confidence.
Gender equality:
The University of Luxembourg is committed to achieving gender parity among its academic staff and aims to eliminate obstacles to recruitment of female professors and their career development. Should candidates present equivalent CVs, preference will be given to female candidates in all departments where gender parity is not yet achieved.
The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.
General information:
- Contract type: Fixed-term contract - 5 years (tenure track), with a perspective of a permanent position and promotion to Associate Professor upon a positive evaluation. In the case of an excellent, more senior candidate, a direct appointment at the level of Associate Professor with a permanent contract may be considered
- Working hours: Full-time (40h/week)
- Location: Campus Belval, Esch-sur-Alzette
- Advertised since: 30/06/25
- Job Reference: UOL07536 / I5-50025482 (to be mentioned in all correspondence)
