Lab Manager for KU Leuven/Vives Infinity – the Digital Twin lab for Mechatronics

KU Leuven and Vives are searching for a motivated lab manager to coordinate the launch of the new joint Digital Twin research lab for Mechatronics in Kortrijk. The lab manager position will be hosted by KU Leuven, and more specifically by the M-Group (Campus Bruges) and the Mecha(tro)nic System Dynamics (LMSD) section (Department of Mechanical Engineering).

KU Leuven features consistently in Europe's top-15 universities within the Times Higher Education ranking. Worldwide our university ranks #45 in the 2024 edition of the same ranking. The involved research teams themselves have a long track record of combining excellent fundamental academic research with industrially relevant applications, leading to dissemination in both highly ranked academic journals as well as on industrial fora. The groups are also active with the Strategic Research Centre for the manufacturing industry Flanders Make, with which close cooperation is foreseen.

More information on the research groups can be found on the websites:
https://iiw.kuleuven.be/onderzoek/m-group
https://www.mech.kuleuven.be/lmsd

Responsibilities

With the support of the Flemish government, KU Leuven and Vives are setting up a new Digital Twin research lab for Mechatronics in Kortrijk. It is the lab’s ambition to be an open playground for researchers and companies in deploying and benchmarking state-of-the-art and state-of-the-use technologies in (i) capturing information during the different stages of the lifecycle of mechatronic products; and (ii) leveraging the captured data into added value in improving product design, manufacturing and/or product performance and lifespan. One example scenario which Infinity will investigate, is the design, manufacturing, quality control and application of polymer drivetrain components in electromechanical drivetrains. 

As a lab manager, you will be responsible for coordinating the selection, purchase and installation of lab equipment, in line with the overall Infinity vision and in line with industrial requirements. You will also be responsible to starting up the lab and running first research and industrial projects, together with a growing team of researchers.

Profile

If you recognize yourself in the story below, then you have the profile that fits the position.

- I have a PhD degree in engineering, physics or mathematics, or a master degree in aforementioned disciplines with already several years of relevant experience.

- I am proficient in written and spoken Dutch and English.

- As lab manager of the KU Leuven/Vives Infinity lab I perform my activities in a professional and scientifically sound manner. I read technical documents, understand the nuances between different theories and implement and improve technologies myself. I am skilled in both hard- and software components, and have experience in sensing, acquisition, data processing, IOT and AI technologies.

- Based on interactions and discussions with my supervisors, I set up and update a plan of approach for the upcoming 1 to 3 months to work towards my goals. I work with a sufficient degree of independence to follow my plan and achieve the goals. I indicate timely when deviations of the plan are required, if goals cannot be met or if I want to discuss intermediate results or issues.

- I feel comfortable to work as a team member and I am eager to share my knowledge to inspire and being inspired by my colleagues.

- I value being part of a large research group which is well connected to the manufacturing industry and I am eager to contribute to linking academic research to industrial innovation roadmaps.

- I am a good communicator towards both technical and non-technical audiences.

- I have a driving license B and am able and willing to travel to companies and other KU Leuven and Vives campuses in Flanders on a regular basis.

Offer

- A remuneration package competitive with industry standards in Belgium, a country with a high quality of life and excellent health care system.

- An 18 month contract as Lab Manager with main office location in Kortrijk. 

- Ample occasions to develop yourself in a scientific and/or an industrial direction. Besides opportunities offered by the research groups, further training for researchers is provided by KU Leuven (https://admin.kuleuven.be/mykuleuven/en/theme/hr-wellbeing/training-talent/target-group/postdocs).

Interested?

For more information please contact Mr. Bert Pluymers, tel.: +32 16 32 25 29, mail: bert.pluymers@kuleuven.be or Prof. Mathias Verbeke, tel.: +32 50 66 47 76, mail: mathias.verbeke@kuleuven.be.

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