For the Engineering Technology programme at KU Leuven, Diepenbeek Campus (in collaboration with UHasselt), we are looking for a motivated colleague for a full-time appointment as academic assistant staff (AAP) in the field of computer science. The position combines teaching and research (PhD) in a balanced ratio of approximately 40% teaching and 60% research (PhD) over a period of six years.
You will be part of KU Leuven’s DistriNet research group, located across five campuses: Heverlee, Leuven, Ghent, Bruges and Diepenbeek. This research group conducts demand-driven, applied and fundamental research into security, distributed systems and software engineering. Your main workplace will be the Diepenbeek Campus in Hasselt, where you will be part of ACRO (Automation, Computer Vision & Robotics).
Website unit
Project
You will conduct applied research on the security and resilience of cyber-physical systems, with particular attention to the design of such systems. The precise research focus can be further shaped according to your own interests and expertise. Possible research directions within this area include:
- ensuring and verifying the correctness and security of cyber-physical systems from the design stage, for example by using trusted platforms such as seL4;
- application detection and response (ADR), with particular attention to linking application-level observability and detection to SOC environments and security monitoring;
- techniques for threat modeling, development and verification of secure cyber-physical systems, supported by AI-driven applications.
In addition, you will support teaching within the Engineering Technology programme at the Diepenbeek Campus (in collaboration with UHasselt). You will deliver several application-oriented lectures, supervise exercise sessions, practicals, projects, and bachelor’s and master’s theses, and support assessment activities within course units related to, among others, programming, software development and cybersecurity.
Profile
- You have obtained, with distinction, a master’s degree in engineering technology, engineering science, computer science, or another master’s programme with a strong computer science component.
- You are motivated to combine research with a substantial teaching assignment, both with a strongly application-oriented character.
- You have a strong interest in cybersecurity, software development and cyber-physical systems.
- You have strong programming skills, for example in C/C++, Python, Java, Rust or comparable languages.
- Experience with Linux, cyber-physical/embedded systems, robotics, industrial control systems and/or systems engineering is an asset.
- You work independently and accurately, and can communicate your findings clearly, both in writing and orally.
- You enjoy working with groups of students and guiding them through their studies in an accessible and enthusiastic way.
- You have a good command of Dutch and English.
Offer
- A full-time appointment as a member of the academic assistant staff (AAP - assistant positon) at KU Leuven, Diepenbeek Campus, for a period of six years (3 terms of max 2 years each).
- A competitive salary (salary scale 43).
- The opportunity to develop a PhD within a challenging and socially relevant research context.
- The opportunity to help shape the Engineering Technology programme in Computer Science on the campus.
- The opportunity to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge according to your own interests, both in technical and cross-domain competences.
- Collaboration with researchers and industrial partners active in the field, both nationally and internationally.
- A dynamic academic environment with room for initiative, professional development and supervision, and flexible working hours.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Koen Yskout, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Kris Aerts, mail: [email protected].
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.
