Ameloot Group

Manipulating Porous Matter

Positions

Working at KU Leuven

KU Leuven is a research-intensive university that carries out both fundamental and applied research in all academic disciplines, with an interdisciplinary focus. KU Leuven has been ranked for four consecutive years as the most 'innovative university' in Europe, determined based on patent filings and valorization track (2016 rankings, 2017 rankings, 2018 rankings, 2019 rankings). Leuven Research and Development drives innovation by assisting researchers in valorizing results. The university is ranked as the 5th European university in the Times Higher Education Rankings.
As the European Capital of Innovation for 2020, Leuven has been awarded for its excellent innovation concepts, processes, and governance models. The city provides a stimulating environment for research and aims on becoming one of Europe's Labs of the Future.
KU Leuven is a breeding ground and attractive destination for top talent, including Starting and Consolidator ERC Grantees and hundreds of Marie Curie fellows. About 40% of our researchers come from abroad.

Living in Leuven

Leuven is a vibrant city located in the heart of Europe. Elected as the best open-minded destination in Europe, Leuven is a tolerant and welcoming multicultural city. Brussels is only 20 minutes by train, whereas Amsterdam (2 hours), London (2 hours) and Paris (1,5 hours) are all within reach.
Like the rest of Belgium, Leuven is famous for its beers, fries, and chocolates.
For more detailed information 'Living in Leuven' offers valuable guidance for international scholars.
You may have a quick look at our campus via the KU Leuven virtual tour.
Still not convinced? The article 'Belgium's quieter under-the-radar alternative to Bruges' might do the trick!

Positions @ Ameloot Group

PhD students

Position: Metal-organic films for sensing and lithography

We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate for the development of cutting-edge chemical sensors based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that leverage kinetic selectivity to differentiate and quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other analytes even in complex mixtures and humid environments. Inspired by natural olfaction, this innovative approach relies on measuring differences in molecular diffusion rates rather than equilibrium adsorption, using a novel temperature-perturbation method in a MOF layer. This pre-print paper describes this novel (and patented) approach.

As part of the ERC project 'KISSIES', your task will be to fabricate sensors in the KU Leuven cleanroom and integrate MOF materials as functional coatings into these sensors. All aspects of sensor fabrication and evaluation will be explored, including methods for thin film deposition and characterization (e.g., atomic layer deposition, ellipsometry), the design and fabrication of microhotplates, and the development of novel lithographic patterning methods, for instance starting from our earlier work on direct beam patterning of MOFs. More information can be found here.

We are looking for a motivated candidate with a strong academic track record and a degree in Materials engineering, Physics engineering, Materials chemistry, or a related field in Science and Engineering. The candidate should be passionate about novel materials and technology, and willing to work as part of an interdisciplinary team. Since we target real-world applications through our research, an interest in valorization (e.g., spin-off creation) is a plus. As we are a highly international team, proficiency in both written and spoken English is non-negotiable. Bonus points if you consider yourself a 'maker' and practical problem solver, we appreciate what you are doing!

Please consider applying (before 01/07) if you have several of the following skills:

Experience with/an interest in cleanroom fabrication
Experience with/an interest in atomic layer deposition / molecular layer deposition & thin film characterization.
Experience with/an interest in both materials characterization and electrical measurements
Other skills that you think are relevant (please explain in your cover letter).

Postdocs

Position: Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship

Thanks to the Bessel Research Award received from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in 2021, the Ameloot group can host researchers eligible for a Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship. Please get in touch if you are interested and meet the eligibility criteria:

You hold German citizenship. If you are currently not in Germany, please refer to the FAQ.
If you are a citizen of a country other than Germany, you are eligible to apply if you are working academically in Germany at the time of application. You should already be integrated into the German academic system and intend to come back into the German academic system after your planned stay abroad. For more information, please see the FAQ.
To successfully apply, you must not have spent more than 6 months in total in the selected host country within the 18-month period prior to submitting your application.

Even though there is no deadline for applications, you should apply well in advance. The Selection Committee responsible for reviewing applications to this programme meets every February, June, and October. Applications are usually processed within four to seven months.

Apart from the posted positions, we are always on the lookout for excellent post-docs to apply for a prestigious Marie Curie fellowship together. Only experienced researchers can apply. This means you will have your doctoral degree or at least four years of full-time research experience by the time of the call deadline. Contact us well in advance to propose a topic! More info here and on the Horizon 2020 participant portal.

Research Management

No positions currently available

Technical staff