Call for applications (m/f/x) 2024

1. About the Young Academy

The Young Academy, founded in 2013, is an interdisciplinary group of scientists and artists. The member scientists come from different disciplines in the medical, engineering, exact, social and human sciences. The artistic members come from a variety of disciplines, such as literature, music, visual arts, performing arts, architecture, design, etc.

The members are committed to engaging in dialogue. They have an open view of society, cherish research and are interested in each other's working fields.

The Young Academy works bottom-up: scientists and artists meet in working groups around themes that the members themselves consider important. They work toward an event, a publication (policy advice position, magazine, book ...), a communication campaign or something else.

The Young Academy organizes monthly meeting days and a two-day retreat, with a public event twice per year. 

2. Profile

Scientists

At the time of their appointment as members of the Young Academy, candidates have at least a 0.1 FTE appointment as researchers in a Flemish university, university hospital and/or a Flemish or federal scientific research institution. Candidates have a personal view on science, policy and society. Having an interest in and a personal view on art in relation to sciences is considered a plus.

Artists

Candidates are professionally active as (creative or performing) artists in the broadest sense (literature, music, visual and audiovisual arts, performing arts, architecture, digital arts, design and applied arts, etc.).

Candidates have a demonstrated affinity with scientific research and an interest in the relationship between art and science (in the broadest sense). Having a research practice of their own (artistic research, doctorate in the arts, or practice-based research) is recommended.

In relation to the number of years they have been active as artists, candidates have succeeded in building a profile and distinguishing themselves within the world of the arts (this may be evidenced, for example, by exhibitions, publications, performances, or by awards and reviews), or their work has sparked significant social debate.

Eligibility and time-window

At the time of appointment (April 1), candidate-members generally have

• (for scientists:) completed their doctorate (PhD) at least 3 and up to 10 years ago.

• (for artists:) an age of at least 25 and maximum 39 years.

Exceptions can be made if the candidate provides justification (e.g. due to care duties, maternity leave, career breaks or language skills). The selection committee decides autonomously whether the justification in the application is proportionate to the extent of the exceeding.

Undershoots (less than 3 years after doctoral defense on April 1) will normally not be accepted.

Motivation

Candidates are interested in meeting researchers and artists from other disciplines and working with them toward common goals in policy, society, science or artists.

They are willing to actively engage with the Young Academy. In their application and during the potential interview, they are given the opportunity to explain how they think they can contribute to the Young Academy and its objectives.

3. Application

The application should include the following items:

1. A comprehensive cover letter, including

• The indication of whether you are applying as a scientist or as an artist

• A vision statement:
  - For scientists: on science from an autobiographical perspective.
  - For artists: on art, science, and their relationship

• A description of how you would like to contribute to the Young Academy as a candidate member (motivation).

2. A curriculum vitae demonstrating your excellence as an academic or as an artist

• For scientists: A brief summary of their research or the field they work in, accessible to a general audience (ideally a few sentences, no more than half a page).

• For artists: A selection of two works of which the candidate explains why they could be of interest to the objective or the workings of the Young Academy.

In total, the application should not exceed 5 pages (A4-size).

Language

Applications may be written in Dutch, in English, or in a combination of both.

The candidate should be aware that Young Academy meetings and reports are largely in Dutch and thus membership in the Young Academy requires at least passive knowledge of Dutch.

Deadline and submission

Please send your application in the form of a single PDF document by e-mail to the Young Academy Secretariat at info@jongeacademie.be, no later than Tuesday, December 5, 2023 (23:59 Belgian time).

Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt by December 12 at the latest - if not, please inquire whether the application was received.

4. About selection and membership

The Young Academy aims for maximal transparency about the selection procedure and criteria. Read more about them here.

Selection procedure

The Young Academy is responsible for the selection of its new members and carries out the selection procedure.

A maximum of 20 candidates (scientists and artists) will be invited for an interview that will take place in February 2024.

The Young Academy strives for diversity in the selection of its new members.

Selection criteria

Selection is based on scientific/artistic excellence, motivation and the contribution candidate members believe they can bring to the Young Academy.

Membership

Young Academy members are appointed for a period of 5 years. This period begins on April 1 following the call for applications.

Membership is voluntary and unpaid.

5. More Information

• Contact: info@jongeacademie.be | 02/550 23 32 | www.jongeacademie.be
• An informal request for more information about the Young Academy and/or the selection procedure can be addressed to one of the members.
• Want to know (even) more about the Young Academy? Read our annual reports.