In the Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, there is a full-time academic vacancy in the field of Welding Technology at KU Leuven De Nayer Campus .

We are looking for internationally oriented candidates with a solid interdisciplinary research record, affinity with the industry and educational competence in the field of welding technology and production techniques.

The research in welding technology at De Nayer Campus focuses on joining and production aspects, with a current emphasis on resistance welding processes and a desired expansion towards ultrasonic welding and fusion welding (such as arc and/or laser-based welding processes). A second research line focuses on the development and control of various welding-oriented joining and production techniques, including WAAM and DED (droplet deposition). The research group has significant experience in the assessment of welding processes in industry and in the development of optimized welding procedures through FEA. Development, validation and use of these welding procedures are supported by dynamic experiments in the laboratory and in-situ in industry. Strong collaboration already exists between the Welding Technology group and the Materials and Construction unit on Campus De Nayer, in assessment (of repair) of existing (historical) metal structures and in dealing with fire resistance and post-fire structural strength of -(metal) structures. The Welding Technology research group has an extensive international and regional network and maintains good relationships with (welding related) 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.

Research

You develop a research programme at an international level in the field of Welding Technology and Welding Engineering, with an emphasis on resistance, ultrasonic and fusion welding, and complementary to the existing research lines and expertise present in the Welding Technology research group at De Nayer Campus .
You conduct targeted scientific research, resulting in PhDs and publications that meet international standards and lead to broad national and international recognition.
You maintain, initiate and expand a network of local and international companies by implementing and valorising research results and by providing industrial services, aimed at strengthening industrial innovation.
As part of your research programme, you develop international partnerships, both within academia and industry.
You acquire competitive funding, including government and industrial based funding.
You strive for excellence in your research and contribute to the further development of the research group and the department.
You provide technology transfer and application of the results of your research in the industry/government/society, both locally and internationally.

Teaching

You demonstrate a clear commitment to the quality of the program as a whole and you provide high-quality education within:

the Advanced Master's programme in Welding Engineering, in the domain of welding-related production and manufacturing techniques, including production, material, design and calculation aspects of welded structures according to the various design codes. This programme is set up at the KU Leuven, De Nayer Campus under the audit of the International Institute of Welding (IIW), which also gives access to the IIW title of International Welding Engineer, parallel to the MSc of Welding Engineering of KU Leuven. These courses are taught in English.
within the Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Electromechanics of the Faculty of Engineering Technology, more specifically: production techniques including welding technologies and welding related production technology, in-service behaviour, etc. These courses are mainly taught in Dutch.

You contribute to the pedagogical project of the faculty and the university by supervising master's theses and as a supervisor of doctoral students.
You develop your education in accordance with KU Leuven's vision of activating and research-based education and make use of the opportunities for educational professionalization offered by the faculty and the university.
Your teaching task is determined in consultation and is based on your specific profile. In the first years of your appointment, the scope is limited. In the rest of your career, the faculty devotes a great deal of attention to the balance between research and teaching time.

Service

You are willing to provide services to the scientific community, society and the university according to the needs and your personal interests.
You maintain close contacts within the field of welding engineers, welding production companies and research institutes, more specifically:

the Belgian Welding Institute (BWI/BIL) as well as foreign welding institutes;
the Belgian Association for Welding Technology (BVL), as Authorising National Body of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) in Belgium. This is essential to keep the Welding Engineering training (at least) in line with the minimum requirements of the IIW.

You are prepared to provide services to government and industry in the context of more applied research assignments.
You play an active role in the promotion of the KU Leuven De Nayer and Group T Campuses, the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering Technology among new students and to the wider professional field by participating in open days, networking events and fairs, etc.

Profile

You have a PhD in Engineering Science or Engineering Technology with a thesis of which the subject is related to the field of welding technology. Or equivalent through experience. Holding 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 record in the field of 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.
You have a research profile that demonstrates collaboration with industry and industrial implementation. Industrial experience is an advantage.
Both domestic and international experience are 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 demonstrable qualities related to academic education. Teaching experience is a significant advantage. Sufficient knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
You have organizational skills and have a cooperative attitude. You also have leadership skills within a university context.
Proficiency in English is required. KU Leuven offers courses in academic English.
The official language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to take part in meetings and to acquire the level of Dutch that is required for tenure.
Before teaching courses in Dutch or English, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch, respectively English, to the required standard.

Offer

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 De Nayer Campus, close to the historic city of Mechelen between Antwerp and Brussels and about 45 km from Leuven, and for some educational activities on Group T Campus in Leuven. Educational activities on 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.
To facilitate scientific integration and research in the first phase, a research position equivalent to a PhD fellowship for 4 years is made available. You can also apply for a start-up grant of EUR 110,000. (offered to new professors, appointed for at least 50%.)
KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, …

Interested?

For more information on the contents of the job, please contact:

o Prof. dr. ir. David Moens, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (david.moens@kuleuven.be tel. +32 16 372879)

o Prof. dr. ir. Toon Van Waterschoot, campus chair of KU Leuven Campus De Nayer (toon.vanwaterschoot@kuleuven.be, +32 485 910 616)

Indicative date interview: 24 March 2026.

Add to your application following documents (more information is available on the KU Leuven job site)

- your biosketch in which you indicate your added value as an academic for research, education and services to society of your past career and of your future activities (maximum 2 pages);

- a file on your five most important publications or achievements/realizations;

- an extensive cv including a full publication list and if applicable a portfolio of your industrial work;

- your research plan with focus on the development of your research line and research team in relation with the colleague-researchers of the entity of employment (maximum 4 pages);

- your vision on academic education and its organization (maximum 2 pages);

- your contribution to society by outreach and public communication on science and technology, internal representation in boards and councils and service activities directly in relation to your developed expertise (maximum 1 page);

- your vision on leadership (maximum 1 page).

If you have problems submitting your application online, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.

KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and will therefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.

You can apply for this job no later than January 13, 2026 via the online application tool

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. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

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Professor in Mechanical Engineering: Welding Technology