Postdoctoral Researcher in Machine Learning for Personalised Healthcare

KU Leuven; Belgique; On-site; EUR 47,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hospitalization insurance

Eco-vouchers

Public transport reimbursement

Inexpensive meals

KU Leuven bicycle

Job summary

KU Leuven invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher position in AI and Machine Learning at Campus Kulak, Kortrijk. You will lead methodological research in personalised healthcare and collaborate with data science and healthcare experts.

We expect a PhD in computer science or related field, strong publication record, and excellent English (Dutch preferred). The appointment is for one year with extension possible, and a competitive salary with benefits.

Qualifications

• PhD in computer science, AI, statistics, or a related field.
• Research experience in AI/ML and related methodological approaches is essential.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities with a research mindset.
• Track record or clear potential for high-quality methodological research in AI/ML.
• Excellent communication skills, fluency in English and preferably Dutch.

Responsibilities

• Shape and advance the methodological research agenda in AI/ML for personalised healthcare.
• Lead activities and supervise doctoral researchers within the group.
• Publish research outcomes in leading journals and present at conferences.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to translate methodological advances into healthcare applications.

Skills

Research skills

Analytical thinking

Independent work

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

PhD in computer science, AI, statistics, or related field

Job description

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Research Field Computer science » Modelling tools Computer science » Programming Computer science » Computer systems Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 22 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number BAP-2026-623 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

In interaction with the principal investigators and research management team at itec, the candidate will help shape and further strengthen methodological research on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, with a particular focus on applications in Personalised Healthcare. We are primarily seeking a researcher with strong expertise in AI, machine learning, data analytics, and related methodological approaches, who is motivated to apply and further develop these methods in healthcare contexts. The candidate will conduct pioneering research on explainable, trustworthy, and human-centred AI methodologies, and contribute to their application in areas such as clinical decision support, risk prediction, patient stratification, personalised follow-up, and healthcare decision-making. Research will be carried out in close collaboration with experts in data science, healthcare, education and training, and human-centred AI.
The candidate will play a leading role in advancing the methodological research agenda of itec's AI and Machine Learning subgroup. The research will focus on the development, evaluation and validation of innovative machine learning approaches for complex, longitudinal and heterogeneous data sources, with particular attention to explainability, robustness, trustworthiness and human-centred design.
Specific research activities may include:

• Developing novel machine learning and statistical modelling approaches for personalised healthcare.
• Advancing state-of-the-art methodologies in our key areas such as survival analysis, longitudinal data analysis, prediction modelling, recommender systems, active learning and explainable AI.
• Designing and evaluating innovative AI methods that support healthcare decision-making and personalised interventions.
• Publishing research outcomes in leading international journals and presenting findings at high-impact scientific conferences.
• Supervising doctoral researchers and contributing to the scientific development of the research group.
• Contributing to the preparation of competitive research proposals and the scientific design of collaborative research projects.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to translate methodological advances into scientifically sound healthcare applications.

The candidate is expected to contribute to the international scientific reputation of itec through high-quality publications, conference contributions, scientific networking and active participation in the broader research community. The role focuses on methodological excellence and scientific leadership in AI and machine learning for personalised healthcare.

• You hold a PhD degree in computer science, AI, statistics, or related field.
• Research experience in one of the key activities investigated in itec's AI and machine learning subgroup (see above) is a must and it is mandatory to clearly indicate this in the motivation letter. Experience with the analysis of data for healthcare is a plus.
• You possess strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, with a research-oriented mindset. You can take initiative and excel both independently and as part of a team.
• You have a strong track record or clear potential for conducting high-quality methodological research in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, Data Science or a related field. Experience in supervising researchers, publishing in leading journals and contributing to competitive research proposals is considered an asset.
• Additionally, you have excellent communication skills, with fluency in English and preferably Dutch, both spoken and written.
• We offer full-time employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Depending on the candidate's expertise and experience, the appointment will be made in salary scale 43 or 44. The appointment will initially be for one year and can be extended after a positive evaluation, depending on available funding.
• The candidate will be working at KU Leuven Campus Kulak in Kortrijk.
• As Postdoctoral Researcher, you will have every opportunity to develop yourself further in your professional career, by studying literature, attending seminars and workshops, and interacting with leading researchers from multiple disciplines.
• The position offers flexibility and the opportunity to work in an enthusiastic team in a stimulating multicultural environment.
• In addition to a competitive salary, KU Leuven also offers several additional benefits, such as hospitalization insurance, eco-vouchers, reimbursement of commuting expenses by public transport, inexpensive meals, a KU Leuven bicycle, ...

• We offer full-time employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Depending on the candidate's expertise and experience, the appointment will be made in salary scale 43 or 44. The appointment will initially be for one year and can be extended after a positive evaluation, depending on available funding.
• The candidate will be working at KU Leuven Campus Kulak in Kortrijk.
• As Postdoctoral Researcher, you will have every opportunity to develop yourself further in your professional career, by studying literature, attending seminars and workshops, and interacting with leading researchers from multiple disciplines.
• The position offers flexibility and the opportunity to work in an enthusiastic team in a stimulating multicultural environment.
• In addition to a competitive salary, KU Leuven also offers several additional benefits, such as hospitalization insurance, eco-vouchers, reimbursement of commuting expenses by public transport, inexpensive meals, a KU Leuven bicycle, ...

Eligibility criteria

• You hold a PhD degree in computer science, AI, statistics, or related field.
• Research experience in one of the key activities investigated in itec's AI and machine learning subgroup (see above) is a must and it is mandatory to clearly indicate this in the motivation letter. Experience with the analysis of data for healthcare is a plus.
• You possess strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, with a research-oriented mindset. You can take initiative and excel both independently and as part of a team.
• You have a strong track record or clear potential for conducting high-quality methodological research in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, Data Science or a related field. Experience in supervising researchers, publishing in leading journals and contributing to competitive research proposals is considered an asset.
• Additionally, you have excellent communication skills, with fluency in English and preferably Dutch, both spoken and written.

Selection process