ENGINEER CIRCULAR JOINING TECHNOLOGY @FlandersMake

Flanders Make; Lommel; A distancia; EUR 65.000 - 90.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Meal vouchers

Hospitalisation insurance

Group insurance

Pension plan

Flexible working hours

ADV days

Extra days off between Christmas and N

Descripción de la vacante

Flanders Make in Lommel invites you to contribute to a hands‑on research role focused on circular joining technologies. You will integrate laboratory work, digital tools and collaboration with industry partners to mature technologies and generate measurable impact.

You will autonomously drive projects from analysis to validation, design experiments, and report findings while aligning with industrial needs, safety standards and exploitation strategies for future applications.

Formación

• Master’s degree in engineering, science or related field; PhD is an asset.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in industry or applied research.
• Experience with experimental or laboratory research, preferably with programming, modelling or data work.

Responsabilidades

• Execute research projects from planning to laboratory validation and reporting.
• Design and perform experiments in joining and materials lab with large-scale equipment; handle chemicals safely.
• Support digitalisation projects involving programming, modelling, AI and data management.
• Review literature and market/patent landscape; translate opportunities into research plans.
• Engage with companies to understand needs and support business development and results presentation.
• Collaborate with CJT team and other domains; contribute to multiple projects.
• Define new projects and own at least one reusable CJT result and related technologies.

Conocimientos

Lab research

Programming

Data modelling

AI algorithms

Project leadership

Industry collaboration

Educación

Master’s degree in engineering/science

PhD (asset)

Descripción del empleo

Together with your colleagues you will turn research results in joining technologies, process optimisation and sustainable materials into robust industrial solutions. In this hands‑on role, you combine laboratory research, digitalisation and close collaboration with companies to mature technologies and create measurable impact.

Your Role

You will join the Circular Joining Technologies (CJT) team in Lommel, a small and dynamic research team that works across different technical backgrounds. You will collaborate daily with CJT colleagues, project leaders, other research teams and industrial partners.

Your initial project portfolio will include ET-Cryochain and the remaining activities within NaPoly and SMARAGD. You will work on technologies such as debonding on demand and AI-supported adhesive and process selection, with applications in smart manufacturing, automotive and construction.

Function

You autonomously execute research projects from technical analysis to laboratory validation and reporting. You combine desk research and experimental work with digital tools, while keeping industrial needs, safety and future exploitation in view.

Key responsibilities

• Execute research projects autonomously, including planning, laboratory experiments, analysis, technical reporting and work-package follow-up;
• Design and perform experiments in the Joining and Materials Lab, using large-scale equipment and working safely with chemicals, particles, agents and solvents;
• Support digitalisation-oriented projects involving programming, modelling, AI algorithms, process optimisation and data management;
• Review and summarise scientific, market and patent literature, identify gaps and translate opportunities into realistic research plans;
• Engage with companies to understand technical and business needs, support business development activities and present results clearly;
• Contribute actively to the CJT team and collaborate with other technical domains and project partners;
• Over time, define new projects, identify industrial needs and take ownership of at least one reusable, commercialisable CJT result and the related technologies and projects;
• Contribute to the exploitation and further development of the Joining and Materials Lab.

Profile

• A Master’s degree in engineering, science or a related field, such as materials, polymers, composites, adhesives, material testing or modelling, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or chemistry. A PhD is an asset;
• At least 3 years of relevant experience, gained in industry or through applied research:
• Experience with experimental or laboratory research, preferably combined with programming, modelling or data-related work.

Required skills

• A hands‑on mindset and willingness to learn how to use different laboratory equipment to solve research problems;
• Knowledge of adhesives, materials or manufacturing processes is an advantage;
• Familiarity with research‑project structures, technical reporting or work‑package leadership is an advantage;
• Experience working with companies, either directly or through research projects, is an advantage;
• Interest in Industry 5.0, smart manufacturing, construction or health applications, AI, process autonomy and optimization;
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate complex or unclear needs into focused actions;
• Initiative, autonomy and creativity, combined with a realistic and results‑oriented approach;
• Clear oral communication skills and the ability to explain technical concepts to colleagues and companies;
• A collaborative attitude, learning agility and a continuous‑improvement mindset;
• The ability to manage several projects and switch effectively between different technical topics;
• A strong safety mindset and confidence working in a laboratory environment.

Organizational position

This is a full‑time position based in Lommel. You report to the Team Lead for Circular Joining Technologies and work functionally with project leaders.

Our offer

What you can expect

• In this role, you will help shape the future of industry, science and technology. You will build strong collaborations and create synergies within Flanders Make and our broad ecosystem;
• You will continuously develop yourself within a unique network of leading companies, top universities and research institutions;
• You will work together with passionate colleagues in a warm, supportive and collaborative culture where flexibility, innovation and initiative are central;
• In addition to a competitive salary aligned with your experience and the role, we offer an extensive package of benefits, including meal vouchers, comprehensive hospitalization and group insurance and a solid pension plan.
• Thanks to flexible working hours, 6 ADV days and 4 extra days off between Christmas and New Year, we support a healthy work‑life balance.

About Flanders Make

Towards a digitally transformed, sustainable and competitive industry

Flanders Make is a fast‑growing research centre that supports companies from different sectors in their sustainable innovation processes. From our offices in Lommel, Leuven and Kortrijk and labs at the 5 Flemish Universities, we stimulate open innovation through excellent research.

Due to our unique position as a bridge between business and research, our teams combine expertise at application and system level with technological and scientific knowledge. Academic partners and more than 150 companies are part of Flanders Make's innovative circular ecosystem.

Our strategy based on industrial needs and long‑term trends ensures a close connection with the industry and its challenges. With our programmed research, we create impact in companies.

Sustainability, climate and workable work have a high priority in our research. We want to help companies develop sustainable, green, smart and connected products and production systems, with a particular focus on humans and their interaction with machines.