Professor in Educational Research on Professional Compentencies in Engineering

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Research Field Engineering » Industrial engineering Engineering » Other Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 26 Jan 2027 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number ZAP-2026-47 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• You develop a research program at an international level in educational research with a specific focus on the development of professional / transferable competencies in engineering technology education. Candidates should have a research track record with proven expertise in qualitative and/or quantitative methods for educational research with a specific focus on professional / transferable competencies and engineering education. The envisaged research ideally spans a range from more fundamental research topics (e.g. competency framework development, enhancement of student learning in STEM and/or engineering education, diversity and inclusivity in engineering education) to topics that align closely with curriculum development and teaching practice (e.g. engineering curriculum development, secondary education-curriculum alignment, curriculum-industry alignment, support to educator development). Candidates are strongly encouraged to highlight the relevance and applicability of their anticipated research results specifically to professional / transferable competence oriented coursework and educational studies in engineering technology.
• You establish a research program founded on innovative thinking and scientific excellence, seeking complementarity with the expertise on educational research that is currently available in the Leuven Engineering and Science Education Center (LESEC).
• You engage in targeted scientific research, resulting in PhD s and publications that meet international standards and lead to broad international recognition.
• You are able to acquire competitive funding.
• As part of your research program, you develop international partnerships, within the academic world as well as with stakeholders, policymakers and partners in the broad field of education.
• You contribute to the further development of the research group and the faculty, and pay the required attention to the transfer and application of the results of your research in education and society.
• You provide high-quality education for both bachelor and master students in the field of development of professional / transferable competencies, with a clear commitment to the quality of the programme as a whole. All professors are expected to teach a few basic undergraduate courses. In the longer term, you also contribute to the Educational Master in Science and Technology, subject educational engineering technology.
• 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.
• You are prepared to provide services to the scientific community, to society and to the university in function of the needs and your personal interests.
• You play an active part in promoting the Faculty of Engineering Technology towards new students and the wider professional field by participating in open days, networking events and fairs, etc.

You are willing to take on leadership roles during your career, such as for example, programme director, head of department, (vice)chair, or (vice)dean.

Eligibility criteria

You have a PhD focusing on educational research in engineering.

You have a strong research track record in the discipline, evidenced by your publications and/or by your research experience.

You have the ambition to contribute to the valorisation of research in education and society. International experience is an important advantage.

If you have recently obtained your PhD, then it is important to demonstrate your research and development potential with academic references.

You have demonstrable qualities for academic teaching. Teaching experience is an asset.

You make efforts to disseminate your research findings more widely, thereby contributing to the development of the knowledge society.

Within these three core tasks (teaching, research, and academic and societal service):

• you take on a leadership role and create opportunities for growth or collaboration for your students and colleagues;
• you possess