KU Leuven offers a full-time professor position in the area of mechanical engineering and is looking for internationally orientated candidates with an excellent interdisciplinary research record in the field of advanced control of (unmanned) aeronautic systems.
As a successful applicant, the candidate will be appointed to the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering Technology of KU Leuven. The vacant position is located at Bruges Campus, and the research activities will be embedded in the co-located Mechatronics Group (M-Group).
The candidate will develop a research programme at an international level in the area of advanced control in aeronautic systems. Combine knowledge of aeronautic systems, control, and optimization, and use in-depth physical insights as well as data-driven techniques.
The focus will be on the enhancement of aerial system performance (flight performance, stability, reliability, efficiency) through control and/or on optimal motion planning, control, and coordination of multiple (multiple) (semi)autonomous aerial systems and their integration into multi-modal logistics, surveillance, and the digitized industry. Targeted applications include, amongst others, robust flight controls, automated flight in harsh operating conditions, performance optimization by control, and multimodal drone systems.
Duration: 2 years
Tasks
The key responsibilities include:
- To engage in targeted scientific research, resulting in PhDs and publications that meet international standards and lead to broad international recognition.
- Support or initiate a network of companies through the valorization of research results and by delivering industrial services aimed at strengthening industrial innovation.
- Develop international partnerships, within the academic world as well as with industrial partners.
- Ability to acquire competitive funding, both project-based government funding and industrial funding.
- Strive for excellence and thus contribute to the continued development of the M-Group and the faculty.
- Provide high-quality education for both bachelor and master students in the fields of aeronautics, mechatronics,, and mechanical engineering with a clear commitment to the quality of the programme as a whole.
- Contribute to the faculty’s and the university’s pedagogical projects through the supervision of student projects (for example, bachelor’s and master’s theses) and by acting as a supervisor of PhD students.
- Devoting attention to the valorization tracks and technology transfer and application of the results of their research in industry, government, and society.
Salary
- To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase, a starting grant of 110.000 Euro is offered to new professors without substantial other funding, appointed for at least 50%.
- KU Leuven welcomes foreign professors and their families and provides practical support regarding immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, and partner career coaching.
Job Requirements
Interested applicants should meet the following qualifications:
- Have PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a similarly qualified degree and have a strong interest in the research field of advanced control of aeronautic (unmanned) systems.
- Industrial experience or an extended network in the relevant industrial sector is an important advantage. A strong record of collaborations with industry is a plus.
- Have a strong (applied) research profile. Successful project applications and valorisation in cooperation with industry is a benefit.
- International experience is an important advantage.
- Have demonstrable qualities related to academic education. Teaching experience is an advantage.
- Possess organizational skills and have a cooperative attitude. You also possess leadership capacities within a university context.
- Proficiency in English is required. However, KU Leuven provides courses in academic English if this is necessary.
Application Process
Applications should include:
- A biosketch in which the candidate indicates his/her added value as an academic for research, education, and service to society of past career and future activities (maximum 2 pages);
- a file on the five most important publications or realizations;
- an extensive CV including a full publication list;
- research plan with a focus on the development of the research line and research team in relation to the colleague-researchers of the entity of employment (maximum 4 pages);
- vision on academic education and its organization (maximum 2 pages);
- 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);
- vision on leadership (maximum 1 page).
To apply for Professor in Mechanical Engineering: Advanced Control of Aeronautic Systems, click here.
Deadline: March 11, 2025.
For more information on the Professor in Mechanical Engineering: Advanced Control of Aeronautic Systems, visit the official site.
