Fully funded PhD position: Inequalities in AI skills in education

[Mathematics Education Researchers (MER) community]

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status.

You will be conducting PhD research as part of the ERC-project ChatEQUITY on AI and educational inequality.

Unit website

Responsibilities

Within this project, you will be responsible for a statistical study of AI skills among students and teachers in Flanders, focusing on social inequalities.

During your four-year appointment, you will:

• conduct research on the aforementioned topic, with a view to obtaining a doctoral degree
• publish English-language articles in recognized international scientific journals
• actively participate in international conferences and assist with the organization of local workshops and congresses
• provide limited (max. 10% of your time) teaching assistance for courses in the Bachelor's or Master's degree programs in Psychological and/or Educational Sciences

Profile

• You hold a Master's degree in Educational Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Communication Sciences, or Economics, or another relevant master's degree.
• You have experience with advanced statistical analysis.
• You are fluent in English.
• You are willing to work at least four days a week in the Leuven office.
• Students graduating in the summer of 2026 are also welcome to apply.

Offer

• We offer full-time employment (100%) as a PhD fellow for a period of one year. Upon a positive evaluation, the appointment will be extended for an additional three years (total of four years).
• Guidance in your research development within a diverse team of committed researchers.
• You will have the opportunity to participate in national and international conferences to present your research.
• Start date: September 1st at the latest (October 1st at the latest. if not possible earlier).
• Don't wait until the vacancy deadline to submit: the sooner you apply, the better !
• Only applications with the requested brief research paper (3 pages) will be considered

Interested?

Please submit your application and the following documents no later than June 25, 2026 (earlier is better).

Your application file consists of these 4 documents:

1. A cover letter (max. 1 page) explaining why you are the perfect candidate for this position. Generic letters rarely impress.

2. A CV (max 1 page).

3. Brief research paper: Conduct a multilevel mediation regression analysis using PISA data for Belgium, with mathematics as the outcome. Select one independent variable (X) and one mediator (M) (optional covariates). Submit a brief research paper (max. 3 pages), including APA-style tables and references) with intro, methods and results and conclusion. In a separate document, provide the full analysis syntax/code (including data preparation). If selected for interview, you can elaborate on your choices.

4. The transcripts of your previous as well as current study programs.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Orhan Agirdag, mail: orhan....@kuleuven.be or dr. Anouk Van Der Wildt, mail: anouk.va...@kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than June 25, 2026 via the  online application tool

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60638243?utm_medium=jobsites&utm_source=AcademicPositions