Academic Assistant - EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies Department - College of Europe in Bruges
Short summary
The College of Europe is seeking applications for the position of both part-time and full-time Academic Assistant (50% FTE and 100% FTE), joining the Department of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies at its Bruges campus from 17 August 2026 onwards.
About the College: Welcome to the laboratory of European integration
The College of Europe is the oldest postgraduate institute of European studies, with campuses in Bruges (est. 1949), Natolin/Warsaw (est. 1992) and Tirana (est. 2024). Across the campuses, and under the motto of “studying and living Europe together”, the College hosts every year approximately 500 students of over 50 different nationalities, pursuing advanced Master’s programmes with a duration of 10 months in a residential format. Beyond a broad spectrum of additional executive education activities, the College also implements comprehensive training programmes for junior diplomats/officials from EU member states and the enlargement region.
Centred around its core educational and training activities, the College of Europe has the mission to contribute to the construction of Europe and to good relations between the European Union and its international partners. All staff members contribute to the College mission with professional dedication, a spirit of pro-active collegiality and mutual respect.
For more information about the College, please visit this website.
For more information about the Department of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies, please visit this website.
The Role
Based in Bruges, the Academic Assistant will be working under the direct supervision of the Director of Studies and in close cooperation with the other staff members of the Department.
The main tasks and responsibilities of the Academic Assistant will include:
- Assisting the Professors (e.g. organisational back-up);
- Teaching (e.g. giving tutorials, providing academic advice to students);
- Contributing to the Department’s administration (e.g. study trip, guest lectures, conferences, exam supervision, selection of prospective students);
- Conducting research and publishing.
Your Profile
For the position of Academic Assistant, the College is looking for candidates with:
- A Master’s degree in EU Studies and/or International Relations with an excellent average grade (at least 15 out of 20);
- A good knowledge of EU institutions and EU external action;
- A very good written and oral command of English and French;
- The ability to work as part of a team;
- An interest in teaching and research;
- Good organisational skills; and
- A high measure of flexibility (working hours may include evenings or weekends).
A degree of familiarity with the College of Europe would be considered an asset.
Our offer
- An excellent academic setting;
- A pleasant and stimulating international working environment;
- A one-year employment contract under Belgian law (renewable);
- A competitive remuneration;
- A comprehensive benefits package including the legal holiday pay and an end-of-year bonus, meal vouchers, a transportation allowance, hospitalisation insurance, and a group insurance;
- Legal holidays plus two extra public holidays (9th of May and 11th of July) and eight closing days during the winter break;
- A telework policy (up to two days per week) and allowance;
- An invaluable opportunity to contribute to a renowned project of European integration.
How to apply
Applications in English or French, comprising a detailed CV, transcripts and a one-page motivation letter, also indicating half- and/or full-time availability, should be submitted by e-mail at the latest by 18 May 2026 to Prof. Dr. Sieglinde Gstöhl at the address sabine.dekeyser@coleurope.eu, mentioning “Application for the position of Academic Assistant” in the subject line.
Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.
For further information on the position, please contact Sabine Dekeyser (sabine.dekeyser@coleurope.eu).
For HR related questions, please contact Julie Favril, HR Co-Director at recruitment.be@coleurope.eu.
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By submitting your application, you consent to have your personal data processed for the purpose of recruitment and the specific position you are applying for. You acknowledge that your data, as well as data we receive from academic institutions we can contact for verification purposes, will be processed by the College of Europe, the members of the selection committee appointed by the College of Europe related to this recruitment process. All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and in line with the current data processing regulations. For more information on how we use the information you have provided and how to exercise your rights, please see our privacy notice for recruitment (https://www.coleurope.eu/privacy).
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The College of Europe is committed to equal treatment and opportunity. It aims to reflect the diversity of our society and to offer an inclusive work and study environment for all members of its community. Consistent with these goals, the Bruges campus has a zero-tolerance policy for any acts against the dignity and integrity of individuals, whether in the form of discrimination, bullying, harassment, stalking, violence, or sexual misconduct. Candidates are therefore recruited and selected on the basis of skills and experience, regardless of sex, age, ability, ethnicity, class and background, political belief, race, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, culture, or any other grounds.