You have a PhD in Engineering Science or Engineering Technology with an emphasis on materials and/or mechanical engineering. Holding a a master in welding engineering, and/or an IWE diploma (international welding engineer), awarded by an IIW-recognized ANB (Authorizing National Body) is an added value.
You have a strong research profile in the field of welding metallurgy and welding technology. The quality of research is evidenced by publications in prominent international journals, books and proceedings of international conferences, and/or by your research experience in industry. [International experience is an advantage].
If you have recently obtained the doctoral degree, it is important that you support your research and growth potential with academic references.
You have a research profile that demonstrates collaboration with industry and industrial implementation. [Industrial experience is an advantage].
You have demonstrable qualities related to academic education. Teaching experience is a significant advantage.
You have organizational skills and have a cooperative attitude. You also have leadership skills within a university context.
A good command of English and Dutch is required (CEFR language level C1 or higher), as your teaching duties are organized in both languages. The official administrative language at KU Leuven is Dutch.
In the Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Department of Materials Engineering, Research unit SIEM there is a full-time academic vacancy in the area of welding metallurgy at KU Leuven De Nayer Campus, Sint-Katelijne Waver. We are looking for internationally oriented candidates with an excellent interdisciplinary research record, affinity with industrial applications and with educational competence in the field of materials science aspects of welding processes (IIW block 2).At the De Nayer Campus, the research focuses on joining technology as a production technique: in addition to the current focus on pressure welding processes, an expansion towards fusion welding processes is desirable, with specific attention to the material science aspects during the welding process. A second research line focuses on the process-based development and control of the various welding-oriented joining and production techniques, including WAAM and DED (droplet deposition). The research group has a lot of experience in the assessment of welding processes in the industry and in the development of optimized welding procedures through FEA (currently focused on pressure welding). Development, validation and use of these welding procedures are supported by dynamic experiments in the laboratory and in industry. The Welding Technology research group has an extensive international and regional network and maintains good relationships with companies. It is necessary to maintain and further expand industrial relations in the field of research, education and services. The research group has a potential supply of talented PhD students and a supportive working environment.
We offer full-time employment in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that conducts both fundamental and applied scientific research. Our university has a strong inter- and multidisciplinary focus and strives for international excellence. In this regard, we actively collaborate with research partners in Belgium and abroad and offer our students an academic education based on high-quality scientific research.
You will work at the KU Leuven Campus De Nayer, close to the historic city of Mechelen between Antwerp and Brussels and about 45 km from Leuven, and for some educational activities on Campus Group T in Leuven. Educational activities on the other campuses of KU Leuven are also possible.
Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor.
KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, partner career coaching, …
To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase, a research position will be made available equivalent to a PhD scholarship for 4 years. If you have no other substantial funding available to you, you can apply for a start-up grant of EUR 110.000, on the condition that you are appointed for at least 50%.