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
Considering that the Earth's system is continuously transitioning into uncharted climatic conditions, this professorship is intended to advance our understanding of climate extremes and their impact on the environment and people. We expect a broad understanding of various facets of climate extremes such as temperature extremes, extreme precipitation events, wildfires, and, ideally, a focus on compound hazards.
In collaboration with other teams within the LCSES, the successful candidate will investigate the multifaceted impacts of climate extremes on human health, ecosystems, and biodiversity. While taking a global perspective, the candidate should also be able of grounding their research through investigations at national, regional, or local scales - preferably in the vulnerable regions such as the Global South.
Specifically, synthesis approaches such as meta-analytic tools are highly encouraged. The ideal candidate will bring a strong interdisciplinary background, evidenced by collaborations across the agricultural, environmental and social sciences, to inform evidence-based policy and sustainable solutions.
The position is part of the centre's mission to build a world-class research hub addressing the interconnections between human societies and environmental systems. The successful candidate will engage with stakeholders from academia, industry, and policymaking to contribute to practical and scalable solutions for global food security challenges.
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Ralf Seppelt, Director of the Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems (LCSES)
Email:
Your profile
The successful candidate will apply modern data science techniques, including the analysis of large-scale datasets and advanced modelling approaches, to study patterns of multifaceted climate extremes. A strong focus will be on the combination of available data, methods, and tools from the climate research community. In collaboration with colleagues at LCSES and across the University, the successful candidate will investigate specific impacts on food systems and human health. These studies may be grounded in empirical data, model-based analyses, or a combination of both.
The ideal candidate will have:
- A PhD in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, climate science, bio-geography)
- 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 climate change events for human health, food security or energy provisioning
- Experience engaging with policymakers, NGOs, and other stakeholders to translate research into real-world impact
- 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 environmental change and socio-environmental systems
Language requirements:
The University of Luxembourg is set in a multilingual context. The person hired on this position must be proficient in English and either French or German. The University encourages its staff to learn the other language and provides 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
- Location: Campus Belval, Esch-sur-Alzette
- Advertised since: 30/06/25
- Job Reference: UOL07537 / I5-50025483 (to be mentioned in all correspondence)
