Summary
KU Leuven is offering a fully funded, 4-year PhD scholarship positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence, wearable sensing, and clinical neuroscience. The PhD researcher will be embedded within the EAST-STADIUS Division (eMedia Research Lab) in close collaboration with the Mind-Body Research Group (Division of Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences). The project focuses on developing an AI-enhanced wearable system using wrist-worn Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors to continuously and unobtrusively track and characterize eating behaviors in individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN).
Automated Eating Activity Tracking System for Anorexia Nervosa Using AI and Wearable Sensors
Designation
- Position: PhD Researcher / Doctoral Candidate (Ref. BAP-2026-436)
- Employment Type: Full-time (100%)
- Duration: Initial 1-year contract, renewable up to 4 years upon positive evaluation
Overview Summary
| Key Parameter | Details |
| Host Institution | KU Leuven |
| Faculties / Labs | eMedia Research Lab (EAST-STADIUS) & Mind-Body Research Group (Dept. of Neurosciences) |
| Position Level | PhD / Doctoral Researcher |
| Funding Status | Fully Funded (Salary according to KU Leuven standards) |
| Start Date | November 2, 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) |
| Primary Location | Leuven, Belgium |
| Application Deadline | October 15, 2026 (23:59 CET) |
Research Area
- Primary Domains: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Wearable Sensing & Signal Processing
- Application Fields: Digital Health, AI4Healthcare, Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Eating Disorders Monitoring
Location
- City: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
- Host Units: eMedia Research Lab & Division of Psychiatry, KU Leuven
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Academic Background: Master’s degree in Engineering (Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related disciplines) with an excellent academic record and a high-quality MSc thesis.
- Technical Skills:
- Strong programming proficiency in Python.
- Hands-on experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow) is highly desirable.
- Background in IMU signal processing, feature extraction, and time-series data analysis.
- Interdisciplinary & Clinical Aptitude: Genuine interest in clinical research, psychiatry, and neuroscience, along with a willingness to participate in real-world data collection and patient interactions.
- Language Proficiency:
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
- Proficiency in Dutch is highly desirable due to direct interaction with local clinical partners and participants.
Scholarship Description
Project Scope
Current assessments for Anorexia Nervosa rely heavily on self-reports, food diaries, and interviews—methods prone to recall bias and unable to capture daily micro-structural eating dynamics. This doctoral project addresses these limitations by developing an unobtrusive, wearable-based AI framework. Key responsibilities include:
- Designing, optimizing, and validating data acquisition protocols using wrist-worn IMU sensors.
- Developing robust machine learning pipelines and signal processing algorithms to identify eating events and behavioral patterns.
- Extracting clinically interpretable digital biomarkers (e.g., eating pace, temporal regularity, behavioral rigidity, and variability).
- Correlating wearable-derived biomarkers with clinical metrics (illness severity, recovery trajectories, and treatment response).
- Publishing findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presenting at international conferences.
What KU Leuven Offers
- Remuneration: Competitive salary and benefits package adhering to KU Leuven doctoral scholarship scales.
- Facilities: Access to research infrastructure, computing resources, and clinical datasets across engineering and medical faculties.
- Professional Development: Specialized academic, technical, and soft-skill courses through the KU Leuven Doctoral School.
- Collaboration: An interdisciplinary environment working directly with engineers, computer scientists, neuroscientists, and clinicians.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the KU Leuven Online Application Tool:
- Visit the official job portal link: KU Leuven Job Application Portal (Ref. BAP-2026-436)
- Click the “Apply for this job” / “Solliciteer voor deze functie” button to upload your dossier (CV, motivation letter, MSc transcripts/diplomas, and contact information for references).
For further project inquiries, contact:
- Dr. Chunzhuo Wang:
chunzhuo.wang@kuleuven.be - Prof. Bart Vanrumste:
bart.vanrumste@kuleuven.be
Last Date for Apply
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2026 at 23:59 (CET)
