项目介绍

2025年3月10日

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Geography & Tourism at KU Leuven (Belgium) is seeking a full-time PhD candidate for 3.5 years. As part of the Geographies of Sustainable Development research group, you will work on a PhD project examining sustainable development through the lens of garments, fashion and the clothing industry. The Geographies of Sustainable Development group is an interdisciplinary team focused on understanding the changing and complex relationships between society and nature in both Global North and South contexts. Our research explores socio-ecological relationships, social innovations, socio-political arrangements, collective action and values that either foster or hinder the transition toward socially sustainable, democratic and just societies.

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Project

The garment and clothing industry has long been criticized for its unsustainable practices, both in production and consumption. Critical voices highlight recurrent patterns of environmental and societal harm, emphasizing the urgent need for transformation within the fashion and clothing sector. The industry’s ecological, social and ethical challenges have reached a critical point, necessitating active contributions from individuals, communities of practice, companies and other collectives to mainstream sustainability in fashion. This PhD project will examine these challenges and their implications for sustainable development, exploring alternative models, practices, fibers and policies that can drive systemic change in the clothing industry.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who meets the following criteria:

• You hold a master’s degree in geography, sustainable development, sociology, or another relevant social science discipline.
• You have obtained excellent academic results in your previous studies.
• You have a strong interest in qualitative research methods.
• Familiarity with literature on sustainability, fashion and alternative/sustainable fibers (plant and animal based) is an advantage.
• Experience in sustainable development, environmental sociology, geography, or related fields (e.g. Master’s thesis in these areas) is preferred.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required.
• Proficiency in Spanish and/or French is an advantage.
• You are willing to relocate to Belgium, and travel for fieldwork as required.
• As a PhD student, you will assist in teaching activities and supervise master’s theses (a few hours per week on average)

Offer

• A fully funded PhD scholarship for one year, extendable to 3.5 years after positive evaluation. 
• A dynamic and interdisciplinary research group within the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Geography & Tourism at KU Leuven.
• Office space at KU Leuven’s Arenberg campus.

Interested?

To apply for this position, please submit: your CV, academic records (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees), a motivation letter, and a letter of recommendation.

Application process:Only applicants pre-selected will be invited for an interview. Pre-selected candidates will be asked to submit a three-page research project proposal (including bibliography).

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Constanza Parra Novoa, tel.: +32 16 37 95 50, mail: constanza.parra@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Anton Van Rompaey, tel.: +32 16 32 64 03, mail: anton.vanrompaey@kuleuven.be.You can apply for this job no later than March 28, 2025 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

• Sollicitatieprocedure
• Arbeidsvoorwaarden
• Loopbaanmogelijkheden

Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be