MSCA PhD vacancy TURBO-IMPACT (DC9) "High precision and crack free fs laser material removal for high performance materials"
MSCA PhD vacancy TURBO\-IMPACT (DC9\) "High precision and crack free fs laser material removal for high performance materials"
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*(ref. BAP\-2026\-590\)*
*Laatst aangepast: 22/09/26*
This proposed PhD research will be carried out in the Laser Manufacturing Group at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of KU Leuven.
KU Leuven (University of Leuven) has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries since 1425, making it one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. Today, it is Belgium’s highest ranked university (QS 2025 : 60\), ranked among the top 4% universities in the world and consistently ranked in the top 10 most innovative universities in Europe. The university caters to over 60,000 students from more than 140 countries. KU Leuven's three doctoral schools provide internationally oriented PhD tracks for more than 4,000 doctoral students. KU Leuven and affiliated knowledge institutes provide fertile ground for innovation and high\-tech entrepreneurship in the Leuven region. This favourable climate for knowledge\-driven innovation makes the Leuven region an attractive location for many high\-tech companies.
KU Leuven website: www.kuleuven.be/english/kuleuven
Laser Manufacturing Group linkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ku\-leuven\-laser\-micromanufacturing
Laser Manufacturing Group website:
Project
KU Leuven seeks a highly motivated PhD candidate for a fully funded international doctoral position within the Marie Sklodowska\-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA\-DN) project TURBO\-IMPACT ( TURBOmachinery Innovative Manufacturing, Processing, Analysis, Characterization, and Topology; Website: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101311350 ).
The TURBO\-IMPACT project, funded by Horizon Europe – MSCA\-DN, tackles challenges in designing, optimizing, selecting materials, and manufacturing small\-scale turbomachinery for applications in heat pumps, fuel cells, organic Rankine cycles, or gas turbines. This project develops robust system and component design methods, an integrated manufacturing platform, and multi\-material joining techniques to efficiently produce small\-scale turbomachinery.
In this large EU project, this PhD researcher (DC9\) will work at KU Leuven and focus on improving laser machining of ceramic materials for the fabrication of advanced surface features. The goal is to better understand and control the manufacturing process so that small, precise, and reliable structures can be produced efficiently. These developments will contribute to the project's broader objective of developing 3D laser processing strategies for aerodynamic bearings with enhanced tribological performance.
The doctoral candidate will:
- Leverage and extend KU Leuven’s state\-of\-the\-art ultrashort\-pulse laser micromachining facilities to develop crack\-free laser texturing strategies for ceramic materials.
- Establish predictive models linking laser processing conditions to feature geometry and crack formation in ceramic materials.
- Develop high\-precision laser texturing approaches for complex 3D ceramic components.
- Study the relationship between laser\-generated surface textures and the performance of bonded ceramic\-ceramic and ceramic\-metal interfaces.
Profile
- You have a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing or Materials Engineering, Photonics, Physics or related field with strong interest in technology, and performed above average in comparison to your peers. You are not in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
- You are proficient in written and spoken English.
- During your studies or prior professional activities, you have gathered some experience related to the basic physical principles of laser material processing and/or to the fundamental principles of manufacturing and mechanical behaviour of materials or you have a profound interest in these topics.
- Ideally you have experience with either COMSOL, ANSYS or another CAE simulation software.
- You are highly precise and detail\-oriented, consistently delivering accurate and thorough work.
- You demonstrate a strong sense of initiative and responsibility, while also being an effective and collaborative team player.
- You are willing to travel between the university of Leuven (BE), and other consortium partner locations. This includes secondments to Neuchâtel (CH, 2 months), Jena (DE, 1 month) and Padova (IT, 1 month), as well as to our industrial partner in Belgium (BE, 2 months).
In accordance with the Marie Skłodowska\-Curie Actions Doctoral Network regulations:
- Applicants must comply with the MSCA Mobility Rule. At the time of recruitment, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the hiring country for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment.
- Applicants must be doctoral candidates (i.e., not already hold a doctoral degree) and be eligible under the MSCA Doctoral Network rules at the time of recruitment.
- Short stays such as holidays, compulsory national service, or time spent as part of a refugee procedure are not considered.
Offer
Successful candidates will:
- Be enrolled in the KU Leuven PhD programme.
- Conduct research in a stimulating international environment with access to state\-of\-the\-art facilities and supervision by recognised experts.
- Participate in local and network\-wide training activities aimed at advancing scientific knowledge and transferable skills.
- Attend workshops and international conferences relevant to their research topic.
- Undertake secondments of approximately 6 months at other network or associated partner institutions.
- Receive further doctoral training for PhD candidates in the framework of the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School ( https://set.kuleuven.be/phd ), known for its strong focus on both future scientists and scientifically trained professionals who will valorise their doctoral expertise and competences in a non\-academic context.
Recruitment will be carried out and monitored in full accordance with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and the Doctoral Network mobility rules. The process will follow an open, transparent, merit\-based, impartial, and equitable procedure, tailored to each individual DC position. Promising candidates will undergo a series of interviews with the PI, the Supervisory Team, and the Recruitment Committee.
*Please note that this position is part of a consortium involving several partner universities. By submitting your application, you consent to your personal data, CV and motivation letter being shared with and accessible to the relevant members of the consortium for the purposes of the recruitment and selection process.*
Salary and appointment terms:
Successful candidates will receive a comprehensive financial package in line with the rules for Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in a Marie Skłodowska\-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network. Employment will be provided by the recruiting organisation and will include mobility and family allowances (where applicable), together with full social security coverage.
Doctoral Candidates will benefit from a competitive salary, paid leave (in accordance with institutional regulations), and access to national social security schemes. The employment starts on 1 February 2027 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full\-time position.
Interested?
Follow the KU Leuven job application tool and enclose:
- full CV – mandatory
- motivation letter – mandatory
- full list of credits and grades of both BSc and MSc degrees (as well as their transcription to English if possible) – mandatory (if you have not finished your degree yet, just provide us with the partial list of already available credits and grades)
- proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, …) – if available
- two reference letters – if available
- an English version of your MSc thesis, or of a recent publication or assignment – if available
You can apply for this job no later than November 30, 2026 via the online application tool
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.
Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e\-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be
av\_timer Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds
location\_city Locatie: Leuven
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