This PhD position at KU Leuven focuses on developing next-generation data-driven digital twins for flexible demanufacturing systems. The research aims to create digital twins that serve as effective decision-support systems within re- and demanufacturing environments, integrating seamlessly with existing software, databases, and control systems. The project will explore advanced methods to enhance simulation-based digital twins, particularly through discrete event simulation, data-driven model generation (such as object-centric process mining), and physical-to-digital alignment. Special attention will be given to the use of Digital Product Passports and online measurements to improve the accuracy and adaptability of digital twins. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven, renowned for its expertise in digital twins for manufacturing systems. The group collaborates closely with industry and focuses on both discrete manufacturing and demanufacturing processes. The PhD is linked to the funded C+ project DIGITAU (2 years of funding), which complements the C2 project AUDRI. These projects focus on integrating process-level information from incoming products to update prediction models within a Digital Twin Framework, ultimately aiming to industrialize disassembly plants through adaptive digital twins. As a PhD researcher, you will critically evaluate existing literature, patents, and company releases to identify opportunities for novel contributions. You will develop innovative methods and algorithms for digital twin architectures, organize and conduct experiments in KU Leuven’s state-of-the-art laboratories, and disseminate your findings at project meetings, international conferences, and in high-quality scientific journals. The position offers a stimulating, multi-disciplinary environment with a strong industrial network and the opportunity to build an international academic track record. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Science, Engineering, or an equivalent field with a high GPA. The ideal candidate is creative, proactive, and eager to work in a diverse, international team. Fluency in English is required. The position offers an attractive salary package and a supportive, inclusive research environment. The expected start date is between March 1, 2026, and May 1, 2024. The application deadline is January 7, 2026. To apply, use the online application form and submit a two-page research proposal, a three-slide presentation of your most relevant projects, and optionally a short video presentation. For further information, contact Prof. Giovanni Lugaresi at [email protected].

The KU Leuven Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) research group, part of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM2), is internationally recognized for its expertise in reuse, repair, repurposing, remanufacturing, and recycling. The group collaborates closely with industrial partners and operates the Re- and Demanufacturing Lab in Heverlee, which develops advanced automation, spectroscopic, and computer vision equipment for material characterization, human-robot cooperative disassembly, product identification, and state evaluation. Within the REINFUSE project, launching in 2026 as a four-year Flanders Make SBO initiative, the group aims to build a digital infrastructure to support the acquisition, handling, and reselling of used electronics and industrial equipment. The project will develop advanced product (re-)identification, AI-driven product research and data acquisition, and lifecycle product traceability tools. REINFUSE targets TRL 5 demonstration, combining fundamental research with robust, reusable software demonstrators for industrial validation with 10 Flemish companies active in production, refurbishing, remanufacturing, and online auctions. This position is open to both PhD and Postdoctoral candidates. The successful applicant will co-develop web-search-enabled LLM-based enrichment pipelines, schemas, and data-structure logic forming the core of the REINFUSE product-information backbone. Responsibilities include designing and developing database structures for product information, implementing and evaluating data-enrichment pipelines using LLMs, exploring versioning strategies and provenance tracking, integrating multimodal inputs (images, OCR text, web documents), and supporting demonstrator preparation and user tests. The role also involves guiding master's theses and job students, presenting research at international conferences, and assisting in workshops and teaching tasks (for PhD researchers). Applicants must hold a Master’s degree with cum laude or equivalent, possess strong programming skills in Python, and be comfortable with Git and API tooling. Experience in machine learning, NLP/LLMs, multimodal systems, computer vision, or scraping is required. Data science experience with SQL or ORM frameworks is a strong asset. Team software development experience and collaborative workflows are valued. Effective communication in English is essential; Dutch is an advantage but not required. Postdoctoral candidates must hold a PhD in Engineering, AI, Data Science, or related fields and have significant prior experience in relevant areas. KU Leuven offers a competitive salary and employment conditions according to university standards, with funding provided through the Flanders Make SBO project. The position provides access to large real-world datasets, collaboration with companies across multiple product sectors, and a research trajectory blending scientific publication with real-world impact. PhD researchers have the opportunity to complete their doctorate in a highly relevant industrial–academic environment, while postdoctoral researchers can grow into technical leadership roles within a strategic Flemish research and innovation project. The working environment is attractive, with up to one day per week home office available. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, fostering an environment of open dialogue and respect. For questions about accessibility or support, applicants are encouraged to reach out via the provided contact emails. Application deadline is February 15, 2026. Interested candidates should apply online via the KU Leuven job portal and may contact Prof. dr. Jef Peeters or Mr. Wouter Sterkens for further information.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven, through its Life Cycle Engineering research group, offers a unique opportunity for a Postdoc or PhD candidate to contribute to cutting-edge research in robotic de- and remanufacturing system design. The group has established expertise in the breakdown and sorting of products for reuse, repair, refurbishing, remanufacturing, and recycling (ReX processes), focusing on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) and Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). The ambition is to advance innovative product and process designs that facilitate de- and remanufacturing in human-robot cooperative settings, accelerating the transition to a circular economy in collaboration with industry partners. Research activities include AI-supported product model identification, pose estimation, condition evaluation, and state-of-health prediction, as well as the development of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to structure product and process knowledge. The new position will support the design of an enhanced framework integrating high-level task sequencing with low-level sensor-fusion control, enabling in-process adaptation based on human and robot feedback. The project emphasizes improving the robustness of both contact-free and contact-rich robotic interactions, leveraging learnings from prior actions and continuous corrections during execution. Physics-based simulation tools, such as Drake, will be explored to model contact dynamics, validate and refine disassembly skills, and assess the feasibility of candidate strategies before physical execution. Insights from these simulations will inform human-robot cooperative cell design, maximizing task success, dexterity, and efficiency across diverse product models and conditions. Empirical validation and demonstration are integral to the project, requiring hands-on extension of lab hardware, validation of robot-tooling communication, and development of industry demonstrations. Day-to-day, you will join a multidisciplinary team under the supervision of Prof. Jef Peeters, independently tracking literature, patents, and industry developments to enhance hardware and software system design. You will set up validation experiments, publish results in top conferences and journals, contribute to project proposals, and guide Master's students. PhD candidates will focus on dissertation writing and assist with teaching tasks, while postdoctoral researchers will mentor junior colleagues and drive technical leadership. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotic Engineering, or a related field, with distinction. Required skills include academic excellence, experience in robotic/mechatronic projects, proficiency in Python and C++, software architecture development, PLC programming, and familiarity with industrial fieldbus protocols (EtherCAT, CANopen). Effective English communication is essential; Dutch is advantageous but not required. Postdoctoral applicants must hold a relevant PhD and demonstrate significant experience in system and software architecture design, real-time scheduling, and robotic de- and remanufacturing. KU Leuven offers a competitive salary and employment conditions, a vibrant multidisciplinary and multicultural environment, and opportunities for remote work. PhD researchers can complete their doctorate in a highly relevant industrial–academic setting, while postdoctoral researchers can grow into technical leaders within the Flemish and European research ecosystem. The university is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, providing support for accessibility and a respectful workplace. Applications are open until March 31, 2026. For more information, contact Prof. dr. Jef Peeters at [email protected]. Apply online via the KU Leuven job portal.