UCLouvain Opens Fully Funded 4-Year PhD in Political Science — Study Inclusive Democracy in Brussels ·Year PhD in Political Science — Study Inclusive Democracy in Brussels

UCLouvain has opened applications for a four-year PhD position in Political Science, offering an opportunity for a qualified researcher to join an internationally connected project examining the future of political representation and democratic reform.

A new doctoral opportunity in Belgium is inviting aspiring researchers to investigate how political representation can become more inclusive, participatory and responsive to communities experiencing socio-economic precarity.

The doctoral position is part of the WEAVE project — Co-Designing Inclusive Political Representation, a collaborative research initiative funded by the FNRS and FWO and jointly conducted by UCLouvain and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).

The successful candidate will develop an original doctoral dissertation while contributing to a wider research programme focused on people and communities that have historically been underrepresented in political systems.

UCLouvain PhD in Political Science: Key Details

• University: UCLouvain
• Position: PhD in Political Science
• Project: Co-Designing Inclusive Political Representation
• Location: Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
• Contract: Full-time, fixed-term doctoral scholarship
• Duration: 48 months
• Start date: 1 October 2026
• Application deadline: 31 August 2026
• Degree: Joint doctoral degree involving UCLouvain and VUB
• Supervisors: Prof. Virginie Van Ingelgom, Prof. Karen Celis and Dr. Kenza Amara Hammou

What Will the PhD Research Explore?

Political representation remains a major challenge for contemporary democracies. Many communities, particularly those experiencing social and economic insecurity, continue to feel disconnected from political institutions and decision-making processes.

The WEAVE project aims to explore how political representation can be reimagined from the perspective of people experiencing socio-economic precarity in Brussels.

The research will combine:

• Democratic theory.
• Qualitative longitudinal fieldwork.
• Participatory co-design.
• Community-engaged research.
• Collaborative analysis with structurally underrepresented groups.

Rather than treating communities simply as research subjects, the project involves participants in the research process itself. They will work alongside researchers to examine experiences of political representation and develop possible proposals for democratic reform.

What Will the Successful PhD Candidate Do?

The successful doctoral researcher will be expected to develop an original dissertation while actively contributing to the broader WEAVE project.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting participatory qualitative fieldwork in Brussels.
• Facilitating panel discussions and co-design sessions.
• Working with local NGOs and community organisations.
• Analysing qualitative research data.
• Contributing to academic publications.
• Presenting findings at national and international conferences.
• Participating in outreach and public engagement activities.
• Engaging with community partners, policymakers and other stakeholders.
• Helping develop community-oriented and policy-relevant research outputs.

The role is particularly suited to someone interested in research that connects academic scholarship with real-world democratic and societal challenges.

A Joint Doctoral Experience Across UCLouvain and VUB

One of the distinctive features of this PhD opportunity is the collaborative doctoral structure.

The successful candidate will be enrolled in a joint UCLouvain-VUB doctoral programme leading to a joint doctoral degree.

The planned research environment includes:

• The first two years based at UCLouvain.
• The final two years based at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
• Joint supervision from researchers at both institutions.
• Access to seminars and doctoral training.
• Opportunities to engage with international research networks.

This structure will give the doctoral researcher exposure to two leading academic institutions and a broad collaborative research environment.

Who Can Apply for the PhD Position?

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Political Science or a related social science discipline. Final-year Master’s students may also apply.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• A strong interest in political representation and democracy.
• Interest in qualitative research.
• Enthusiasm for participatory and community-engaged research.
• Excellent spoken French.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Dutch language skills, which are considered an advantage.
• Willingness to conduct extensive fieldwork in Brussels.
• Intellectual curiosity and initiative.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively.

What Funding and Support Are Available?

The position is offered as a four-year doctoral scholarship in accordance with FNRS and FWO regulations.

The successful candidate will also benefit from a dedicated budget supporting activities such as:

• Fieldwork.
• Academic conferences.
• Training.
• Research dissemination.

This makes the opportunity particularly attractive to candidates seeking a structured doctoral research environment with financial support for both academic development and research activities.

Application Documents Required

Applicants should prepare their application carefully and, where possible, combine the documents into a single PDF file.

The application should include:

• A cover letter of no more than two pages.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A short statement of research interests and project ideas of no more than one page.
• A Master’s thesis or another relevant writing sample.
• A copy of the relevant diploma.
• Contact details for two academic referees.

Letters of recommendation are not required at the application stage.

Applicants must use the following subject line:

“PhD Position (4 years) in Political Science – Co-Designing Inclusive Political Representation.”

Applications submitted without the required subject line or after the deadline may not be considered.

Application Tips for Prospective Candidates

Applicants can strengthen their submissions by ensuring that their materials clearly demonstrate:

• A genuine interest in political representation and democratic inclusion.
• Experience or strong academic preparation in qualitative research.
• Understanding of participatory and community-engaged approaches.
• The ability to conduct research in French and write academically in English.
• A clear connection between their research interests and the WEAVE project.
• Willingness to undertake extensive fieldwork in Brussels.

The one-page research interest statement should be concise and show how the applicant’s ideas could contribute to the broader project without attempting to present a complete doctoral proposal.

Application Deadline and Selection Timeline

Applications must be submitted online by 31 August 2026.

Shortlisted candidates are expected to be informed in early September 2026. Interviews are expected to take place during the second half of September, with the preferred start date set for 1 October 2026.

Final Thoughts

This four-year PhD opportunity at UCLouvain offers an exciting opportunity for an aspiring political scientist to research one of the most important questions facing modern democracies: how can political representation become more inclusive and responsive to communities that are often left out of decision-making?

With a joint doctoral structure involving UCLouvain and VUB, dedicated research funding and the opportunity to conduct participatory fieldwork in Brussels, the position could be an excellent fit for candidates passionate about democracy, political inclusion and qualitative social science research.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to prepare their documents carefully and submit their applications before the 31 August 2026 deadline.

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