Université catholique de Louvain
General Secretary of the International Panel of Experts on
Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) - post-doctoral researcher
(bio-engineering/agronomics, public health/nutrition, or economics)
Call 2014-2
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The Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation has decided to support the establishment of the International
Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), a high-level group of experts from different
fields (sustainable agriculture/agroecology, public health/nutrition, consumer behavior, economics) which
shall contribute to the debate on how to move towards food systems that are environmentally
sustainable, that provide adequate/healthy diets, and that are equitable and contribute to food security.
The Secretariat of IPES-Food will be located at the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), Belgium,
within the Centre for Philosophy of Law (CPDR), to which prof. Olivier De Schutter, co-chair of IPESFood and the former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, is attached. The University is therefore
seeking to recruit 1 postdoctoral researcher with expertise in relevant aspects of the transition to
sustainable food systems. This may include one or more of the following areas:
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Innovative regulatory and policy instruments for transition to sustainable agricultural and food
systems, provision of biodiversity and ecosystem services and mitigation of climate change;
Economics of food systems and business models that can ensure that food systems contribute to
the reduction of rural poverty;
Sustainable diets and tools to reduce unhealthy diets and associated non-communicable
diseases.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Centre for Philosophy of Law (CPDR) is an interdisciplinary research centre, among one of the top
research departments in Europe working on governance issues. It has been awarded several major
European research grants, which have been evaluated as top ranking projects by external reviewers.
With its strong focus on high quality research and with researchers covering the fields of law, political
sciences, bio-engineering and philosophy, it provides a vibrant and stimulating interdisciplinary
environment for postdoctoral and early stage research fellows.
The CPDR is expanding its research portfolio, in the direction of research on ecological transition and in
collaboration with other research departments at the Université catholique de Louvain. The present call
for applications is part of this expanding agenda. IPES-Food is launched at the initiative of the Daniel and
Nina Carasso Foundation in order to have a significant and lasting impact on the public debate on how to
make a transition towards sustainable food systems. The General Secretary will have a leading role in
ensuring that this result will be achieved.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The position combines research in support of the IPES-Food process as well as organizational duties, to
ensure communications across the experts and to convene and prepare two annual meetings.
Under the direct supervision of the two IPES-Food co-chairs, the General Secretary will:
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Follow international research and food policies in IPES-Food areas and support experts in
overviewing the global food systems map. He/she might participate to international events for this
purpose;
Ensure communications across the experts;
Support the two co-chairs in coordinating the IPES-food activities;
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Convene and prepare two annual meetings, including the logistical aspects, and ensure follow-up
of these meetings;
Prepare the IPES-Food official reports;
Support the two co-chairs in preparing and implement IPES-Food yearly Action Plans;
Represent the IPES-Food, support the two co-chairs in preparing and implement the IPES-Food
operational and financial partnership policy;
Support the two co-chairs in preparing and implement the IPES-Food communication strategy;
Monitor IPES-Food contractors and their achievements;
Participate to IPES-Food governance bodies : Board and Steering committee;
Provide any support requested by the two co-chairs.
The first IPES-Food meeting is planned to take place on 31 October and 1 November in Paris. It is
expected that the General Secretary shall attend that meeting.
There are no teaching obligations. We offer a competitive remuneration package, including a monthly
allowance, social security and insurance expenses, and generous funding of research related activities
(participation to conferences and research missions in selected developed and developing countries).
The future General Secretary of IPES-Food will work in close collaboration with the two co-chairs of
IPES-Food, and particularly with prof. Olivier De Schutter, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur
on the right to food (http://www.srfood.org/en). The recruitment will be for a period of initially 24 months,
renewable once. This is not a tenure-track position within the University.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate (m/f) shall have completed a PhD in an area related to the work of IPES-Food: in Public
health / Nutrition, Environment, Economics (preferably ecological economics), Bio-engineering /
Agronomics, Political Science or Law; research interest in one or more of the following areas:
governance, biodiversity/natural resources policy, agri-food policy, transition processes, nutrition, global
human impact – whether applied theory or empirical. Strong experience in research or knowledge
management is required. Excellent English language skills are required. A record of publications on food
issues and experience in the management of scientific networks and scientific knowledge would be
additional assets.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Download the application form from the URL http://biogov.uclouvain.be/application
Please send the completed application form to anne.liesse@uclouvain.be , together with a full CV and a
letter explaining your motivations, and in cc to olivier.deschutter@uclouvain.be.
If you have publications, please send a copy (in pdf) of 2 relevant publications.
For any questions or further information related to the application procedure or the job opening, please
feel free to contact Anne Liesse at anne.liesse@uclouvain.be
DEADLINE:
Applications can be sent electronically from the 30th of July 2014, but no later than
30th of September 2014.
The below questionnaire may be accompanied with a motivation letter.
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General Secretary of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems
(IPES-Food) - post-doctoral researcher (bio-engineering/agronomics, public
health/nutrition, or economics)
Call 2014-2
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A. CURRICULUM VITAE
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Name ………………………………………………………
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First name(s): ……………………………………………
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Permanent address: …………………………………….
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Contact numbers: home:
Mobile:
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Present residence (if different from permanent address):
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Date of birth: ………………..………………………………………………………………………
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Place of birth: ……………………..…………………………………………………………………
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Nationality: …………………………………….…………………………………………………….
B. EDUCATION / SCIENTIFIC TRAINING
10. University certificates and diplomas: degree, date, institution, mention obtained:
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11. Knowledge of foreign languages (please mention your level and experience for spoken and
written English (required), and other languages (optional))
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12. Other previously obtained foreign fellowships: place, duration, granting office, purpose:
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13. Short abstract of your PhD research (max. 200 words)
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C. SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES
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15. List of presentations at international workshops and conferences
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16. Complete publications list (including articles in journals with peer review, book chapters
and publications in proceedings of workshops and conferences)
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17. If relevant, please provide a short general description of the research or scientific activities
you performed and are actually involved in
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D. REFERENCES
26. Additional facts or data which may facilitate the task of the Selection Committee
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28. Proposed reference persons
Please provide the name of 2 potential reference persons, who could be contacted by the
programme managers for providing recommendations.
Name, position, address, telephone number and e-mail of proposed reference person 1
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In accordance with the Law of 8 December 1992 concerning the Protection of personal data, the
data sent to the Université catholique de Louvain are protected and only used for the handling of
the candidate's file. The data subject can request at all times to have the data concerning
him/herself corrected or removed.
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