Postdoctoral assistant in Automation and Robotics

The Faculty of Industrial Engineering organizes Master's programs in Biosciences and Industrial Sciences at Campus Geel. These programs are characterized by a combination of a strong scientific foundation and a strong application- and practice-oriented approach.
The 'Research and Education Unit Electromechanics Campus Geel' conducts research within the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the fields of biomechanical design and analysis of medical devices, dynamic behavior of nonlinear mechanical systems, and thermal energy systems. Within this unit, we are seeking reinforcement for Campus Geel, specifically in the domain of automation and robotics to support and further develop research activities focusing on precision applications and the acquisition of new research infrastructure in this area.
In addition to this research assignment, you will also be involved in teaching assignments in the fields of mechanical design, automation, digital twin, and robotics, delivering several lectures, exercise sessions, and practicals in the bachelor's programs in industrial sciences with a specialization in electromechanics and the master's program in industrial sciences: electromechanics.

Responsibilities

• With thorough knowledge and insight in mechanical design, automation, digital twin, and robotics, your research focuses on designing mechanical solutions for precision applications in, for example, the pharmaceutical, agricultural, or biomedical industries.
• You contribute to the acquisition of new research infrastructure, for instance, by securing investments from industry.
• You stay up-to-date with the state-of-the-art in your field(s) through contacts with the professional and scientific communities and by shaping concrete projects. You maintain and expand these contacts, paying attention to potential project partners.
• You develop new project ideas into project proposals. You co-coordinate research projects and service requests, ensuring proper execution, monitoring of planning, directing project staff, consulting with various stakeholders, and reporting to the client(s).
• You validate obtained research results through publications in international and trade journals and presentations at conferences, workshops, and networking events.
• You transfer knowledge to education and the professional field by organizing presentations, lectures, study days, and targeted training and activities, and represent the research group at workshops and events.
• Besides your research tasks, you have a teaching assignment (max 50% of the total assignment) in the bachelor's and master's programs in industrial sciences: electromechanics at Campus Geel. This teaching assignment is focused on mechanical design, automation, digital twin, and robotics.
• You collaborate collegially with lecturers and researchers from the electromechanics program at Campus Geel.
• You participate in PR and recruitment activities (Dag van de Wetenschap, open days, etc.).
• You supervise students during their master's thesis.

Profile

• You hold a master's degree in industrial sciences: electromechanics or related field and a doctoral degree in industrial engineering sciences or related field.
• You have knowledge and research experience in mechanical design, automation, digital twin, and robotics.
• You are passionate about research, technological innovations, and developments, and their application in an industrial context.
• You are analytical, result-oriented, customer- and market-oriented.
• You can work independently and proactively, have a sense of order, and are accurate and stress-resistant.
• You are an enthusiastic, entrepreneurial team player with inventive ideas who seeks improvements, experiments with new concepts, and solves problems in a creative and clear manner.
• You have communication skills and are fluent in Dutch and English, in accordance with the language requirements for higher education in Flanders.
• You have experience in academic higher education.

Offer

The offer includes a postdoc position (barema 44) with a lot of challenges and variety. The appointment is 100% for a period of 3 years, with a one-time extension possible.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Luc Labey, tel.: +32 16 37 26 30, mail: luc.labey@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. ir. Geert Van Ham, tel.: +32 14 72 13 04, mail: geert.vanham@kuleuven.be.

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