University of Luxembourg

University of Luxembourg

Anne Beffort Excellence Programme: Advancing Gender Equality in Academia – Elevating Women, Inspiring Excellence, Driving Innovation

Partners
University of Luxembourg
Sector
Research Technology & Innovation
Location
Luxembourg

Appointment of Anne Beffort Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor (promotion track) in

Electrical Power Quality

Artificial Intelligence

Theoretical Computer Science

Mathematics (Algebra Aspects of Modern Mathematics)

About the University of Luxembourg

Founded in 2003, the University of Luxembourg was established by merging four institutions, becoming the country’s only public university, designed with a strong focus on being research-intensive, multilingual, and international.

The University strives to be “A University for Luxembourg and the world, shaping societal, cultural, technological, and economic development through proactive engagement with public and private partners. 

It aims to deliver excellent research, high-quality education, and measurable societal impact, with a core emphasis on interdisciplinary and international collaboration. 

The University enrols over 8,000 students, including more than 1,000 doctoral candidates. Its academic community consists of 1,600 members of staff, including 300 professors, with a total of 2,500 employees working at the University. With about 60% of its student body coming from abroad and representing around 150 nationalities, the University is a truly multicultural institution. It is recognised among the top 20 young universities worldwide by Times Higher Education and ranks within the top 250 globally. In 2025, the University proudly joined The Guild, an alliance of 23 research-intensive universities in Europe.

3,600

Bachelor Students

2,100

Master Students

1,000+

Doctoral Candidates

Strategy

 

For more, see: Mission, Strategy & Values

The University of Luxembourg plays a central role in advancing Luxembourg’s national ambition to further develop a sustainable, knowledge-driven, and digitally advanced society. Anchored in the National Research and Innovation Strategy, the University pursues three core missions: research, higher education and the contribution to the social, cultural and economic development of Luxembourg. To achieve its long-term strategic goals, the University has identified key areas within each of its three missions:

Research: Shaping a digital, healthy and sustainable future


The University advances knowledge and innovation in strategic areas that drive economic and societal progress. These include digital transformation (e.g., AI and supercomputing, the Luxembourg Hub in Cybersecurity, Lux Quantum Communication Infrastructure), medicine and health (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, cancer research, behavioural and cognitive psychology, Bachelor’s in Medicine and Health Professions), as well as sustainable and societal development (educational sciences, renewable energy, European and international law, (sustainable) finance).

Education: Diverse, inclusive and flexible learning support


In line with the national strategy for 21st Century Education, the University delivers high-quality, research-based teaching rooted in multilingualism, international mobility, and strong links to public and private sectors. It promotes innovative learning, integrates teaching and research, and fosters a dynamic, diverse student community.

Impact: Contributing to social, cultural and economic development


The University actively contributes to social, cultural, and economic development. It supports entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer, and policy innovation, helping transform scientific discoveries into practical applications (“from science to impact”). Through ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and society at large, it maximises the relevance and reach of its research.

Strategic Development Areas

Sustainable and Societal Development
Health and Medicine
Digital Transformation

About the Anne Beffort Excellence Programme

The Anne Beffort Excellence Programme is a flagship initiative of the University of Luxembourg, dedicated to fostering excellence, diversity, and gender equality in academia. Named after Anne Beffort—the first Luxembourgish woman to earn a doctorate—the programme seeks to increase the proportion of female professors and create an inclusive academic culture that supports future generations of women in research.

Launched in 2024 and endorsed by the Luxembourg Ministry for Gender Equality and Diversity, the programme is part of the University’s broader efforts to attract international talents and reflects a commitment to advancing academic leadership among women.

 

Anne Beffort (1880–1966) was a pioneering educator, literary scholar, and fierce advocate for women’s education. As the first Luxembourgish woman to earn a doctorate, she played a vital role in advancing gender equality in academic and cultural life.

  • Strengthen research excellence through diversity.
  • Create visible role models and promote inclusive academic cultures.
  • Address gender imbalance in professorial roles.
  • Ensure long-term gender targets: 30% female professors by 2025, 40% by 2030.

  • Positions are offered at: 
    • Assistant Professor (tenure-track): designed for early-career academics. Appointment follows a five-year tenure-track pathway, culminating in a formal evaluation for tenure and promotion to Associate Professor. The evaluation is based on clearly defined criteria in the areas of research, teaching, knowledge transfer, and academic service.
    • Associate Professor (promotion-track): aimed at established academics. Appointments are tenured from the start, with eligibility for promotion to Full Professor after 5 years, following a structured evaluation in the same assessment areas.
  • For the first six months, these positions are open exclusively to female candidates.
  • If no suitable candidate is recruited within this 6-month window, positions may be re-advertised as a standard professorial vacancy. In this case, the position will no longer be part of the Anne Beffort Excellence Programme and will be open to applicants of all genders.

Anne Beffort Professors receive: 

  • A €250,000 five-year start-up package complementing resources negotiated with the hosting Faculty or Interdisciplinary Centre.
  • Access to the ADVANCE Mentoring Programme and Marie Speyer Excellence Grants.
  • Assistance with relocation and onboarding and career support for accompanying partners.
  • Access to University-wide facilities and integration into a vibrant international research network.

Learn more here.

The programme is part of the University’s Gender Equality Policy implementation plan, which outlines a long-term strategy to embed equality across all areas of university life. Key policy areas include:

  • De-biasing of recruitment and promotion procedures. 
  • Support for work-life balance and caregiving responsibilities. 
  • Zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination. 
  • Gender-inclusive communication practices. 
  • Integration of gender perspectives in research and teaching. 

These commitments are monitored through regular gender audits and annual reporting to the Rector and Board of Governors. The Anne Beffort Excellence Programme translates this institutional vision into tangible academic career opportunities, helping to shape a more inclusive and excellent research environment.

For more, visit: Anne Beffort Positions – University of Luxembourg 

Professional Opportunities

Open positions within the Anne Beffort Excellence Programme are in the departments of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

We invite applications from outstanding scholars committed to advancing research, teaching, and engagement in the following areas:

Department of Engineering

Department of Computer Science

Department of Mathematics

The Department of Engineering (DoE) at the University of Luxembourg is interdisciplinary and active in the classical domains of civil, electrical, mechanical, and computational engineering. The focus of research is on the development of technological solutions, the sustainable and economical use of all kinds of resources and the offer of competences for the technological requirements of industrial and public actors in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. Special emphasis is given to numerical simulation to reduce the required experimental effort, but the validation of the models on laboratory setups will remain an essential asset.

The Department of Computer Science (DCS) at the University of Luxembourg investigates and contributes to shaping the interface between information and communication technology and society. DCS promotes interdisciplinary research and closely cooperates with other high-profile research centers in Luxembourg and beyond, as well as with industry and society. The Faculty entertains various successful and growing teaching programs and supports lifelong learning activities.

The Department of Mathematics (DMATH) at the University of Luxembourg is recognized internationally for leading research in both fundamental and applied areas of Mathematics.

DMATH offers a Bachelor’s program and three Master’s programs, alongside a robust range of outreach activities, and is dedicated to training the next generation of researchers – PhD candidates and postdoctoral scholars. With a permanent staff comprising 12 full professors, 2 associate professors, and 1 assistant professor, DMATH covers a wide spectrum of research areas: (1) Algebra and Number Theory, (2) Geometry and Topology, (3) Probability and Stochastic Analysis, (4) Discrete and Geometric Analysis, (5) Statistics and Data Science, and (6) Partial Differential Equations and Modelling.

Apply Now

Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor (promotion track) in Electrical Power Quality

Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor (promotion track) in Artificial Intelligence

Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor (promotion track) in Theoretical Computer Science

Assistant Professor (tenure track) or Associate Professor (promotion track) in Mathematics (Algebraic Aspects of Modern Mathematics)

#20

in the THE (Times Higher Education) Young University Ranking 2024

#250

among the top 250 Universities worldwide according to the THE World University Ranking 2024

#355

worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2025

#181

in Europe in the QS World University Rankings 2025

Life in Luxembourg

A Great Place to Work and Research 

 

Over the past two decades, Luxembourg has transformed into a dynamic knowledge-based society with a thriving research ecosystem. As a world-class research university, the University of Luxembourg is at the heart of this transformation, offering academic staff the opportunity to shape education and innovation in a uniquely international setting.

  • Academic freedom at a young, ambitious university. 
  • A highly multicultural environment, with colleagues from over 100 countries. 
  • Attractive working conditions and continuous professional development. 
  • A supportive and inclusive workplace culture. 

Today, the University employs more than 2,500 staff, making it one of the 20 largest employers in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg’s research landscape is unified under the Research Luxembourg initiative—a strategic alliance of the University of Luxembourg, public research centres (LIH, LIST, LISER), and the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR).

This national ecosystem offers: 

  • Strategic Investment: National priorities are backed by robust funding through performance-based multiannual contracts.
  • Collaborative & Mission-Oriented Research: Opportunities for interdisciplinary projects, public-private partnerships, and EU consortia.
  • Supportive Culture: A strong commitment to Open Science, ethics, gender equality, and science-society engagement.
  • State-of-the-Art InfrastructureAccess to high-performance computing (EuroHPC), the Integrated Biobank, and other top-tier facilities.
  • Global Impact: Luxembourg promotes the international application of its research through development policy and science diplomacy.

Luxembourg offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan energy and natural beauty, with high standards in public services, infrastructure, and healthcare. The country is:

  • Multilingual and multicultural. 
  • A centre of finance, law, and innovation.
  • Green, safe, and centrally located in Europe. 

Newcomers will find a welcoming environment with comprehensive services for housing, childcare, education, and integration. The University provides extensive relocation support, family-friendly policies, and access to childcare services.

For practical guidance, visit: Just Arrived Luxembourg 

Campaign Leadership

Country Managing Partner, The Netherlands & Head of Research, Europe

Dr Lisbeth Van Cauwenberghe

Consultant, Europe

Dr Valia Sakkoula

Project Manager, Europe

Olja Ljubišić

Dr Lisbeth Van Cauwenberghe

Country Managing Partner, The Netherlands & Head of Research, Europe

Lisbeth is the Managing Partner, Netherlands & Head of Research Europe.

Her experience of senior level executive search includes Senior Academic, Chair and Professorial appointments globally across all disciplines in higher education.

Lisbeth holds an MSc in Biology, a subsequent MSc in Environmental Management and Sanitation, and a PhD in Environmental Toxicology, all from Ghent University, Belgium. Her doctoral research focussed on the occurrence, effects and risks of marine microplastics. Lisbeth is fluent in Dutch and English, and speaks basic French and German.

Dr Valia Sakkoula

Consultant, Europe

Valia brings her expertise in STEM fields to our team as a Consultant for Higher Education and Research, Technology, and Innovation at our Amsterdam office. With a focus on Europe, she has successfully guided the selection of top-tier academic and administrative leaders.

Valia holds a BSc in Physics, an MSc in Applied Physics, and a PhD in Laser Physics and Spectroscopy from Radboud University of Nijmegen. Prior to her career at Perrett Laver, she worked as a Postdoctoral researcher in the Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory at Radboud University in Nijmegen.

Olja Ljubišić

Project Manager, Europe