Academic vacancy in circular construction and reuse of structural and building components

experience is valued when combined with research publications and project management skills in competitive environments. In addition, the candidate should take an active role in teaching within the faculty’s Dutch bachelor and master programmes from the start of the appointment. Consequently, the position is open to candidates who are native Dutch speakers or candidates with a minimum certified CEFR level C1 in Dutch. The successful applicant will be appointed in the Department of Civil Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering Technology of the Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven. The faculty of Engineering Technology has an extensive national and international network, both in the academic and business world.

Research in the Materials and Constructions (MAT) section of the Department of Civil Engineering aims to generate advanced knowledge through fundamental and application-oriented research on durable and sustainable materials, structural components and construction, contributing to new, existing and heritage structures with low environmental impact, hybrid structures, structural resilience and improved service life. The MAT section is organized into three research lines: (i) Sustainable concrete materials and technologies, (ii) Resilient and hybrid structures, and (iii) Re-use, monitoring and retrofitting. The current vacancy is situated within the third research line, with a strong link to the second. The MAT group conducts research and hosts laboratory facilities across Leuven, Bruges, Sint-Katelijne-Waver (De Nayer), and Ghent. The group benefits from a strong research infrastructure, an extensive international network, close connections with industry and non-profit organisations, a steady influx of highly talented PhD researchers, and a supportive work environment. Research results are implemented into structural design codes and practical tools for the construction sector. The laboratories are well equipped for full-scale testing of structural members and systems, as well as comprehensive material characterisation.

Job description

Research

• You develop a research programme at an international level on design principles for the reuse of structural materials and components (e.g. timber, precast concrete, steel, masonry and others) from end-of-life buildings and structures in the framework of circular construction. The envisaged research develops and implements engineering approaches for structural application of reused components, digital techniques and databases, assembly and disassembly techniques and selective demolition for the development of reusable structural systems (modular construction, demountable systems) via experimental, numerical, reliability-based or theoretical approaches, or a combination thereof. Research should contribute to pre-normative guidelines and standardization enabling the reuse of structural materials and components in new constructions and structural renovations. You closely collaborate with the colleagues within the research group, strengthen existing research lines and provide additional expertise. You are expected to play a leading role in the field and represent our department and university at the national and international levels through sector organizations and standardization committees.
• You have access to testing equipment for large construction components and are expected to further strengthen and extend the existing laboratory facilities.
• You engage in targeted scientific research, resulting in PhD’s and publications that meet international standards and lead to broad international recognition.
• As part of your research programme, you develop international partnerships, within the academic world as well as in close cooperation with industry, to achieve industrial innovation and scientific output that adheres to the highest international standards.
• You support or initiate a network of companies through the valorisation of research results and by delivering industrial services to achieve technology transfer and application of the results of your research in industry/government/society.
• You are able to acquire competitive funding, both project-based government funding as well as industrial funding. Experience in applying for research funding will be appreciated.
• You strive for excellence and thus contribute to the further development of the research group and the faculty.

Teaching

• You provide high-quality education for both bachelor and master students in the field of building materials and technology, structural mechanics, and sustainable design of structures, with a clear commitment to the quality of the faculty’s programme as a whole. All professors are expected to teach a few basic undergraduate courses.
• You contribute to the faculty’s and the university’s pedagogical project through the supervision of student projects (for example bachelor’s and master’s theses) and by acting as a promotor of PhD students.
• You develop your teaching in accordance with KU Leuven’s views on activating and researched-based education and make use of the possibilities for educational professionalization offered by the faculty and the university.
• Teaching duties connected to this vacancy will be in the Faculty of Engineering Technology at Campus De Nayer (Sint-Katelijne-Waver). Within the multi-campus model of the Faculty of Engineering Technology, you may be asked to take up teaching activities at other campuses.
• The position is open to candidates who are native Dutch speakers, or to international candidates who can provide evidence of Dutch language proficiency at a minimum CEFR level C1 and who are willing and able to teach in Dutch.

Service

• You are prepared to provide services to the scientific community, to society, and to the university, with particular focus on services to construction industry in the context of applied research and development.
• You develop a strong network with industrial partners and, in particular, with the construction sector.
• You play an active role in promoting the Faculty of Engineering Technology towards new students and the wider professional field by participating in open days, networking events and fairs,...

Job requirements

• You have a master's degree in Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering or equivalent, and a PhD with a research background that aligns with the research field of this vacancy. Industrial experience or an extended network in the relevant industrial sector is an important advantage.
• You have a strong research track record in the discipline, evidenced by your publications or by your research experience in industry. You have the ambition to contribute to the valorisation of research in industry and in society. International experience is an important advantage.
• You have verifiable qualities related to academic education. Teaching experience is an advantage.
• You possess organisational skills and have a cooperative attitude. You also possess leadership competencies in a university or industry context.
• The administrative language of KU Leuven is Dutch. This position is open to native Dutch speakers or international candidates with a demonstrated proficiency in Dutch at CEFR level C1. Upon recruitment, you must hold a C1 certificate to ensure you can start teaching in Dutch immediately.
• A good command of English is required. KU Leuven offers courses in Academic English. Before you begin teaching in English, we provide you with the opportunity to acquire the necessary English language skills.

Terms of employment

We offer full-time (100%) employment in an intellectually challenging environment.

KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. Our university is highly focused on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research and strives for international excellence. In this regard, the university actively works together with research partners in Belgium and abroad and provides its students with an academic education that is based on high-quality scientific research.

You will work at the KU Leuven Campus De Nayer, an academic campus located about 45 km from Leuven and centred on technology and industry focused research and education. Other campuses will also be able to make use of your expertise in teaching.

Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years. At the end of this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as associate professor.

To facilitate scientific integration and research in the first phase, a research position equivalent to a PhD fellowship for 4 years is made available. In addition, you can also apply for a start-up grant of EUR 110,000 on the condition that you are appointed for at least 50%.

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, ...

Application procedure

For more information on the contents of the job, please contact Prof. dr. ir. Staf Roels, chair of the Civil Engineering Department (email: gustaaf.roels@kuleuven.be) or Prof. dr. Toon van Waterschoot, campus chair of KU Leuven Group T Campus (Leuven) and De Nayer Campus (Sint-Katelijne-Waver) (email: toon.vanwaterschoot@kuleuven.be). You can submit your application, only through our online application system. If you have problems submitting your application online, please send an email to solliciteren@kuleuven.be. Provisional dates in the selection procedure are January 25, 2027 for a visit to De Nayer Campus and January 26, 2027 for the selection interview.

Add to your application following documents in English (more information is available on the KU Leuven job site):

• your biosketch in which you indicate your added value as an academic for research, education and service to society of your past career and of your future activities (maximum 2 pages);
• a file on your five most important publications or realizations;
• an extensive cv including a full publication list and if applicable a portfolio of your architectural projects;
• your research plan with focus on the development of your research line and research team in relation with the colleague-researchers of the entity of employment (maximum 4 pages);
• your vision on academic education and how you translate this vision into practice (maximum 2 pages);
• your 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);
• your vision on leadership and how you apply this vision in practice within your managerial tasks (maximum 1 page).

KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and will therefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.

You can apply for this job no later than 17/11/2026 via the online application tool.