Postdoctoral Position in Mechanical Engineering
Catholic University of Leuven Department of Mechanical Engineering
Belgium

Responsibilities

Mobility solutions are shaping the future, putting the human experience at the center of transport and across all modes and infrastructures. The next step is to sustain the ongoing transition of European personal mobility towards safe and reliable intelligent mobility systems. The EU-funded GREYDIENT project will establish an innovative training network for the next generation of early-stage researchers (ESRs). The focus will be on grey box models, which are an answer to the pressing issue at hand as they are aimed at optimally integrating (black box) data driven machine learning tools with (white box) simulation models and advanced uncertainty quantification tools. The ESRs will be trained in the modelling, propagation and quantification of relevant variabilities, the application of Big Data and machine learning methods as well as the optimal combination of data-driven approaches with numerical models. The project brings together leading European universities (ETH Zurich, Politecnico di Milano, TU Munich, Leibniz University Hannover, Sigma Clermont, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and KU Leuven) as well as major players in European industry (BMW, Michelin, EDF, Scale, etc.) to jointly tackle these challenges.

Within this project, we are looking for a project manager (50% position) to support us in the overall management of the project on a daily basis. Tasks include the coordination of the flow of information between the scientific and industrial partners, assisting in the reporting activities of the project, streamlining the dissemination and project result communication and aiding in the overseeing of the technical content of the project. This project allows for a close collaboration with the extensive international network of the research group, allowing the applicant to strongly strengthen their international visibility. The position is initially for one year, but can be extended up to four years after repeated positive evaluations.

In addition, based on the interests, aspirations, qualifications and CV of the applicant, we offer a complementary research position (50% position). This position can be filled in freely based on the interests of the applicant and running research projects or ideas within R2D. Furthermore, the applicant enters a research group with 6 PhD students and one senior post-doc offering ample possibilities for scientific collaboration. Finally, the extensive international network of R2D also allows for international collaborations.

Profile

Successful candidates:

• hold a doctorate (dr. or Ph.D.) in engineering science, computer science or engineering technology or any other comparable study from an internationally reputable institute,
• have proven experience in managing projects; experience in managing European projects is considered as a bonus,
• have a profound interest in uncertainty quantification, machine learning and/or numerical simulation,
• have extensive experience with coding in Matlab/Python/Julia/…,
• like to work in an inclusive multidisciplinary team of international researchers,
• have a creative and problem-solving mindset,
• are fluent in English (both spoken and written).

Offer

KU Leuven is among the top universities in Europe (ranked 48th in general and 45th in engineering according to Times Higher Education world university ranking) and the research performed in the R2D group is renown in the scientific community, as illustrated by the number of awards, grants and citations of the team members. 

We offer:

• the possibility to manage an international training network consisting of Europe’s leading universities and major captains of European industry
• (if applicable) a research position in an enticing research environment at the cross-roads of numerical simulation, applied mathematics, engineering and computational mechanics in close contact with key industrial partners,
• an attractive salary package, complemented with multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.),
• the opportunity to participate at international conferences,
• the possibility to work with and guide junior level PhD researchers within R2D, as well as in our extensive (inter)national network.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. David Moens, tel.: +32 16 37 28 79, mail: david.moens@kuleuven.be or dr. Matthias Faes, tel.: +32 15 68 81 99, mail: matthias.faes@kuleuven.be.

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