Research manager Digital Twins for system dynamics in advanced mechatronics and manufacturing

In line with the University’s ambition to create impact through innovation, the KU Leuven LMSD Section on Mechanic/Mechatronic System Dynamics continuously strives for international leadership in engineering dynamics through excellent research, education and services. Cross-fertilization between strategic basic research, application-oriented developments and technology transfer activities is key. Being at the origin of spin-off company LMS International, now Siemens Industry Software, and serving as a core group of Flanders Make, the strategic research centre for the manufacturing industry in Flanders, illustrate that industrial and societal relevance are essential drivers, along with multidisciplinary partnerships and inter-sectorial cooperation. The organisation of the yearly ISMA, ISAAC and ISAMS courses, the biennial ISMA conference on Noise & Vibration Engineering, and the group’s presence on dedicated digital media, are key dissemination elements, next to top journal publications and presentations at reference conferences and workshops.

To support its further growth in impact and organisational efficiency and effectiveness, the LMSD research management, part of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, is looking for a research manager.

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Responsibilities

As a research manager you will be strengthening LMSD by streamlining LMSD participation in European actions, coordinating and expanding the LMSD project portfolio, and improving the LMSD internal operational procedures. In this role you will have the following responsibilities:

• take the lead in streamlining LMSD participation in European actions related to advanced mechatronics and manufacturing, understanding the European processes and DNA, positioning LMSD based on its strategic vision, and aligning all stakeholders towards having a consistent strategy towards Europe.
• project ideation, proposal preparation and follow-up, motivating LMSD colleagues to contribute to this process, community building, scouting for valorisation paths, and representing LMSD at (national and international) events.
• coordinate and expand the LMSD project portfolio focusing on the activities related to ‘Digital Twins development trajectories for system dynamics in advanced mechatronics and manufacturing’.
• improve the LMSD project management operational procedures
• follow up the research activities and valorise the research results, including matching the LMSD roadmap with funding opportunities in Europe and beyond (e.g., within Flanders Make, FWO, VLAIO, O&O, B2B funding schemes)
• create a structured set of project management best practices, investigating state-of-the-art (software) tools and procedures (e.g., by following a Prince2® or PMP® training)
• manage European as well as Flemish projects, and serve as a central point for peer-coaching and sharing lessons learned in project management, communication, dissemination, valorisation of research results and business development. 

Profile

• You hold a PhD in mechanical engineering and have preferably more than 10 years of experience in research. A PhD in mechanical engineering/mechatronics is a plus. 
• You have a helicopter view on research activities in the fields of Digital Twins for mecha(tro)nic dynamical systems. 
• You have more than 5 years of experience with (European) research project management, ideation, writing and execution. 

Offer

• We offer a permanent full-time position in a flexible and dynamic environment.

Interested?

For more information please contact Mr. Bert Pluymers, tel.: +32 16 32 25 29, mail: bert.pluymers@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Frank Naets, tel.: +32 16 37 26 93, mail: frank.naets@kuleuven.be.

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