The Department of Cardiovascular Sciences is dedicated to advance research and education in cardiovascular diseases with the goal of improving medicine and human health. We investigate the complexities of cardiovascular disorders through basic research, pre-clinical modelling and applied clinical and population-based research. With a strong international track record, the Department offers state-of-the-art research infrastructure, an extensive network of national and international partners, connections with both industry and non-profit organizations, and a supportive work environment. The Department has 300 members in the different research and clinical cardiovascular disciplines with more than 70 senior academic staff members, 200 researchers and clinicians (of whom 100 are PhD researchers) and 40 support staff members.
The Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology (HCVE) is embedded within this Department, and the Faculty of Medicine of KU Leuven. HCVE focuses on the epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases and the development of tools for cardiovascular disease detection and prevention. Since 1985, HCVE conducts large-scale population-based studies, first in Belgium, and extending across Europe and beyond. The Unit embeds extensive expertise in non-invasive phenotyping of the cardiovascular system, from the heart and arteries to the capillaries.
Website unit
Duties
Research
You develop an internationally competitive research program in cardiovascular disease prevention complementary to ongoing research in the Department.
You conduct etiologic and prognostic cardiovascular research within the general population. You safeguard the longitudinal data collection of the ongoing studies. You manage secondary data use, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations and research standards while fostering collaboration with third parties.
You have a plan to collaborate or integrate with larger epidemiological databases.
You conduct intervention studies targeting cardiovascular disease prevention through lifestyle modifications and structured exercise programs.
You develop machine learning models to interpret complex data types, including imaging, -omics, and time-series data.
You develop novel cardiovascular risk assessment strategies using cost-effective, accessible screening methods, recognizing the small size of the department but also the small size of the Belgian population.
You foster collaborations both within and outside of the Department and participate in international research networks. In a multi-disciplinary network, you translate basic science findings into clinically relevant outcomes and, reversely, pursue experimental validation of hypotheses derived from population studies.
You are expected to write and acquire competitive research funding from national and international research funding organizations.
You strive for excellence in your research and will provide a contribution to the development and international character of the division.
You contribute to the translation of research findings into public health policies related to cardiovascular disease prevention, treatment and healthcare resource allocation.
Teaching
You will participate in teaching basic sciences in the academic programs in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
You will contribute to the pedagogic project of the university through the supervision of master's theses and as a (co-)promoter of PhD students.
You will develop your teaching in accordance with the vision of KU Leuven on activating, blended and research-based instruction and you will make use of the opportunities offered by the University to further professionalize your teaching.
Service
You are prepared to provide scientific, social, and internal services.
You provide advice and support on clinical and pre-clinical research projects in collaboration with the researchers and PhD students of the various Research Groups within the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and associated Clinical Divisions.
As a member of the Department, you contribute to decision-making and the development of the future vision for the teaching, organization, and research programs of the Department.
Profile
You have a PhD degree with a strong and relevant research track record in population-based science.
Expertise in cardiovascular epidemiology is an asset. International experience is a prerequisite.
You have demonstrable qualities for education; teaching experience is an advantage.
You have organizational skills, a cooperative attitude and can give leadership.
Proficiency in English is required.
The official administrative language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to to take part in meetings.
Before teaching courses in Dutch or English, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch, respectively English, to the required standard.
Offer
We are offering full-time employment in a tenure track position (assistant professor) in an intellectually challenging environment with a balance between research and teaching tasks at a world-renowned, research-intensive university that encourages excellence in both fundamental and applied sciences. The Department of Cardiovascular Sciences is internationally recognized for its cutting-edge research, and provides a collaborative, dynamic environment for professionals looking to contribute to the advancement of cardiovascular health.
KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, … To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase a starting grant of 110.000 euro can be applied for by new professors appointed for at least 50%. The successful candidate will receive support through participation in ongoing studies and mentoring/support in application for external and internal funds. The candidate will have access to the full range of advantages of working at a leading University in the center of Europe, including potential to collaborate across multiple disciplines and to have access to a large cohort of talented students.
KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, …
KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and will therefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.
More information
Division Hypertension & Cardiovascular Epidemiology
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Bart Meuris, tel.: +3216344260, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Tatiana Kouznetsova, mail: [email protected]. For problems with online applying, please contact [email protected].
Please add a research statement (max 4 pages), demonstrating your added value for the research programme, to your motivation letter. In addition, please outline your vision on academic education in a teaching statement (max 1 page).
We ask you to submit your application file in English
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
