We are looking for a highly motivated and internationally oriented candidate with an excellent research record, a clear leadership potential, and educational competence in the field of clinical motion analysis, with a strong interest in the biomechanical analysis of pathological motion (including gait) and the underlying neuromuscular mechanisms in ambulant individuals with childhood-onset neuromotor disorders. Given that many individuals with childhood-onset disability reach adulthood with complex and often progressive neuromuscular impairments, the research scope may span from childhood to adulthood.
The successful candidate will leverage state-of-the-art biomechanical methodologies, with a primary focus on 3D clinical motion analysis, to investigate mechanistic explanations of pathological motion, neuromuscular symptoms (such as spasticity and muscle weakness), and muscle degeneration. The candidate is expected to further advance the methodological framework beyond conventional clinical motion analysis, for example through the development and clinical application of innovative approaches such as markerless motion analysis and/or advanced musculoskeletal modelling. In addition, the candidate will further develop research on long-term preventive and therapeutic interventions in childhood-onset neuromotor disorders, such as multimodal exercise, technology-assisted rehabilitation, and/or active lifestyle strategies targeting pathological motion and neuromuscular symptoms.
The position will be embedded in the pediatric research team of the Neurorehabilitation Research Group and will be strongly linked to the Clinical Motion Analysis Laboratory (CMAL) at University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven, Campus Pellenberg). CMAL provides a highly supportive research environment with advanced clinical motion analysis technologies, an extensive longitudinal clinical database, and internationally recognized expertise in pathological gait and muscle imaging in neuromotor disorders, with clear capacity to integrate and validate innovative approaches for clinical practice. With more than 500 clinical evaluations annually and close integration with pediatric and adult neurological services, the laboratory offers unique opportunities for clinically embedded and translational research. The position further promotes multidisciplinary collaborations within KU Leuven, including the Departments of Rehabilitation Sciences, Development and Regeneration, Human Movement Sciences, Engineering Sciences, and relevant clinical units at UZ Leuven, supporting both fundamental innovation and clinical valorization. CMAL plays a central role within the newly developed research center for human movement and rehabilitation at Campus Pellenberg, which brings together research activities across disciplines and creates strong opportunities to further strengthen existing research lines and initiate novel multidisciplinary initiatives. The ongoing redevelopment of Campus Pellenberg, including the physical renewal of CMAL, offers additional opportunities to further advance the research infrastructure and accommodate future methodological developments, to be realized through successful external research funding.
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Duties
Research
It is part of the assignment of the appointed candidate to develop, within the domain of clinical motion analysis, an internationally competitive research program that delivers excellent scientific results and actively contributes to national and international research collaborations. The candidate must demonstrate a strong research profile or clear potential to do so and is expected to adopt a multidisciplinary and collaborative research approach within KU Leuven and in close interaction with the clinical services of University Hospitals Leuven.
The candidate:
• Is an excellent, internationally oriented researcher and develops a research program at the forefront of clinical motion analysis, with a clear ambition to advance methodologies and strengthen a life-long perspective, focusing on multidimensional assessments (including 3D motion analysis, muscle imaging, and/or other instrumented methods of neuromuscular assessment) to elucidate the complex interactions between pathological motion, neuromuscular impairments, and muscle degeneration in individuals with childhood-onset neuromotor disability.
• Strengthens existing research lines within the Neurorehabilitation Research Group and CMAL and brings complementary and/or additionally new expertise by working closely with departmental and UZ Leuven members.
• Provides scientific guidance, coaching, and training to researchers (including PhD students and postdoctoral researchers) in clinical biomechanics within the department, promoting a collaborative research environment.
• Publishes research results at the highest international scientific level.
• Develops and leads an independent research group.
• Actively pursues competitive research funding from national and international agencies and submits high-quality research proposals.
• Establishes and maintains strong research collaborations within KU Leuven and with national and international partners.
• Demonstrates a strong interest in translational and clinical research, while also addressing fundamental research questions to deepen the understanding of neuromuscular mechanisms underlying pathological motion.
Teaching
Although this position initially concerns a research professorship, the appointed candidate is expected to gradually contribute to high-quality teaching. The candidate contributes to the pedagogical project of the faculty and university and develops teaching activities in accordance with KU Leuven’s vision on activating and research-based education. Teaching assignments (in English and/or Dutch) will be situated within the field of clinical biomechanics and pediatric rehabilitation. The candidate will supervise master’s theses and doctoral research and contributes to the education of future clinicians and researchers.
Service
The candidate provides scientific, societal, and internal services that contribute to the functioning and reputation of the research group, the department, and KU Leuven, as well as CMAL at UZ Leuven. This includes a progressive leadership role within CMAL, contributing to the coordination and further development of both the research activities and the clinically embedded team, in close collaboration with existing leadership.
Requirements
• You hold a PhD degree in the field of clinical biomechanics (with background in Rehabilitation Sciences or Human Movement Sciences) or a closely related field, preferably in the field of childhood onset neuromotor disability. If you have recently obtained your PhD, it is important that you support your research and growth potential with academic references e.g. demonstrate potential through top publications reflecting your previous research, certificates/prizes, reference letters, promising research projects and articles in preparation.
• You have a strong research profile and an indisputable research integrity and your research quality is evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed international journals and success (or clear potential) in acquiring competitive research funding. International research experience is considered an important advantage.
• You have demonstrated expertise in clinical motion analysis (e.g. clinical gait analysis, instrumented assessments of spasticity and strength, muscle imaging, advanced EMG analyses, musculoskeletal modeling) in the context of childhood-onset neuromotor disability.
• You have a clear ambition to strive for excellence in research and to actively contribute to the international visibility and research reputation of the Clinical Motion Analysis Laboratory (CMAL), the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, the broader research environment of the renewed Campus Pellenberg, and KU Leuven.
• Experience with preventive or therapeutic interventions involving multimodal exercise, adapted technology-assisted rehabilitation, and active lifestyle strategies, targeting pathological motion and neuromuscular symptoms, combined with a strong interest in clinical translational research is an advantage. The candidate also demonstrates attention to fundamental research questions to deepen the understanding of neuromuscular mechanisms underlying pathological motion, through collaboration with cell biologists and/or engineers, as well as to the valorization and application of research, for example through interactions with clinical services of UZ Leuven and industry partners.
• You have a strong interdisciplinary mindset and are keen to collaborate broadly within the department and university and with clinical units of the University Hospital Leuven.
• You possess demonstrable teaching competencies; teaching experience is a plus.
• You have organizational and leadership skills suited to an academic environment.
• Your spoken and written English is excellent. The administrative language of 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 take part in administrative meetings. Before teaching courses in Dutch of English, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch resp. English to the required standard.
Offer
- We offer full-time employment in an intellectually stimulating and internationally oriented research environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive university with a strong inter- and multidisciplinary focus and a clear commitment to international excellence in both fundamental and applied research.
- Depending on qualifications and experience, the candidate will be appointed to or tenured in one of the ranks of senior academic staff. Junior candidates are normally appointed as assistant professor on a tenure track of five years, followed by permanent appointment after positive evaluation.
- The position further offers close collaboration with clinicians at University Hospitals Leuven, a dynamic working environment in Leuven, located in the heart of Europe, comprehensive support for international staff and their families and start-up funding of €110,000 (subject to eligibility criteria).
- You will work in Leuven, a historic and dynamic and vibrant city located in the heart of Belgium, within twenty minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam.
- KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration and administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching,…
- You 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.
More information
Call Research professorships (BOFZAP)
Procedure application and selection
Interested?
Before you start your application, please read the full description of the procedure and important information about attachments and templates under 'Call for Research Professorships (BOFZAP)' and 'Procedure application and selection’ under 'More information'.
More information on the content of the job can be obtained from the academic contact person prof. dr. Kaat Alaerts, mail: [email protected].
More information on the guidelines, regulations and application file is available from Ms. Kristin Vermeylen ([email protected]) or Ms. Martine van Nierop ([email protected] , tel. +32 16 32 76 98).
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.
