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.