R&D Project Leader - Advanced Cooling Integration for High-Performance Computing

Imec; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Imec in Leuven, Belgium, is seeking an R&D Project Leader to drive next-generation cooling solutions for high-performance computing. You will own a multidisciplinary program linking materials, device concepts, and system integration to deliver viable cooling strategies.

The role emphasizes coordinating diverse teams across process, device, modeling, and testing, translating insights into a coherent system concept while engaging with stakeholders to position the technology and IP opportunities.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, physics, materials science, or related field.
• Strong background in thermal management/cooling technologies.
• Experience in semiconductor processing and integration.
• Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary inputs into a coherent technical vision.
• Hands-on mindset and willingness to engage directly in experimental work.

Responsibilities

• Guide and coordinate imec expertise teams across process, device, integration, modeling, and testing.
• Define and implement an integration strategy combining insights into a viable system concept.
• Assess needs for integration, reliability, and scalability and translate into actionable approaches.
• Contribute to hands-on R&D activities in the lab for fast iteration and depth.
• Drive interactions with stakeholders across imec and support IP creation and strategic positioning.

Skills

Project coordination

Multidisciplinary teams

Stakeholder management

Hands-on lab work

Communication skills

Education

PhD in engineering/physics/materials science

Job description

R&D Project Leader - Advanced Cooling Integration for High-Performance Computing

Imec

Leuven, Belgium

What you will do

As an R&D Project Leader, you will drive the development of next-generation cooling solutions for high-performance computing applications. You will take ownership of a multidisciplinary R&D program that aims to bridge advanced materials, device concepts, and system-level integration.

• Guide and coordinate a diverse set of imec expertise teams across process, device, integration, modeling, and testing domains.
• Define and implement a coherent integration strategy, bringing together insights from different technical domains into a viable system concept.
• Assess integration, reliability, and scalability needs and translate them into actionable approaches.
• Actively contribute to hands-on R&D activities in the lab when needed, ensuring fast iteration and technical depth.
• Drive interactions with stakeholders across imec and contribute to IP creation and strategic positioning of the technology.

This position sits at the core of a rapidly evolving domain driven by increasing power densities and system complexity in advanced compute hardware. You will play a central role in translating innovative concepts into system-relevant solutions - bridging the gap between research and real-world application.

Who you are

• PhD in engineering, physics, materials science, or a related field.
• Strong technical background in one or more of the following domains:
• Thermal management/cooling technologies.
• Semiconductor processing and integration.
• Advanced packaging or system integration
• Proven ability to bring together multidisciplinary inputs into a coherent technical vision.
• Experience in project coordination or technical stewardship is a strong asset.
• Hands-on mindset and willingness to engage directly in experimental work.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; able to align diverse teams and drive progress.

Key competences

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to navigate uncertainty and structure complex integration topics.
• Proactive, self-driven, and result-oriented.
• Team player with the ability to influence without formal authority.