Summary
KU Leuven is seeking a highly motivated and communicative Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Power Electronics research group (ESAT / ELECTA) within the framework of EnergyVille in Genk, Belgium. The position involves advancing research in high-frequency magnetics and power electronics, co-supervising PhD/Master students, engaging in industrial and grant collaborations, and undertaking Dutch-language teaching duties at the Faculty of Engineering Technology (Campus Diepenbeek).
Postdoc Opportunity: High-Frequency Magnetics & Power Electronics at KU Leuven, Belgium
Designation
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoctoraal onderzoeker)
- Staff Status: Academic Assistant Personnel (AAP – Barema 44)
- Employment Type: Full-time (3-year fixed-term contract)
Overview Table
| Parameter | Details |
| Job Title | Postdoctoral Researcher: High-Frequency Magnetic Components and Power Electronics |
| Reference Code | AAP-2026-157 |
| Institution | KU Leuven (Department of Electrical Engineering – ESAT/ELECTA) |
| Research Framework | EnergyVille (Genk, Belgium) |
| Position Type | Full-time Postdoctoral Contract (3 years) |
| Location | Genk / Diepenbeek, Belgium |
| Language Requirements | English (Fluent) & Dutch (Fluent – required for teaching) |
| Application Deadline | August 7, 2026 (23:59 CET) |
Research Area
Advancing high-frequency magnetic components and wide-bandgap power electronics to achieve ultra-compact, high-power-density energy conversion systems.
- High-Frequency Magnetics & Power Electronics: Development of novel magnetic design concepts (planar/PCB windings, matrix/integrated transformers) to enhance power density and scaling laws in power converters.
- Applications: On-board chargers, fast chargers for Electric Vehicles (EVs), data center power supplies, and aerospace power conversion systems.
- Technological Focus: Isolated DC-DC and resonant converters (LLC, CLL, CLLC) using Wide-Bandgap (GaN/SiC) semiconductors operating from hundreds of kHz to the MHz range; electromagnetic & thermal finite-element modeling; multi-objective (Pareto) optimization; hardware prototyping and experimental characterization.
Location
- Research Location: EnergyVille, Genk, Belgium
- Teaching Location: KU Leuven, Campus Diepenbeek (Faculty of Engineering Technology), Belgium
Eligibility / Qualification
Mandatory Requirements
- Degree: Master’s degree and PhD in Electrical Engineering, Electromechanics, or (Industrial) Engineering Sciences. (Candidates pending graduation must obtain their PhD prior to the contract start date).
- Technical Expertise: Proven track record in high-frequency magnetic component design (planar/PCB magnetics, integrated/matrix structures) and deep knowledge of isolated/resonant DC-DC converters (LLC, CLL, CLLC).
- Prototyping & Tools: Hands-on experience in building and validating high-power-density converter prototypes utilizing WBG components (GaN/SiC). Proficiency in Ansys Maxwell, Ansys Icepak, PLECS, SPICE/LTspice, Python, and MATLAB.
- Publications: Strong first-author publication record in leading peer-reviewed journals and conferences (e.g., IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, IEEE APEC/ECCE).
- Languages:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in Dutch (essential for undergraduate teaching responsibilities).
Preferred / Recommended Qualifications
- Prior experience teaching or coordinating courses in Bachelor/Master Industrial Engineering programs.
- Experience supervising Master theses or PhD researchers.
- International research experience or active academic network.
- Patents or awards in power electronics/magnetics.
- Experience in acquiring competitive research funding (e.g., FWO projects) or industrial collaborations.
Job Description
- Research Leadership: Lead and further expand the “High-Frequency Magnetics” research line within the group using EnergyVille’s state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure.
- Mentorship & Collaboration: Co-supervise PhD candidates and Master’s students, collaborate with research partners (VITO, imec, UHasselt), and actively contribute to industry projects and competitive grant proposals.
- Dissemination: Publish research findings in top-tier scientific journals and present at major international conferences.
- Teaching Duties: Coordinate and teach undergraduate courses in Dutch at KU Leuven Campus Diepenbeek (Faculty of Engineering Technology), covering fundamentals of electrical engineering (e.g., electrical machines, electricity & magnetism), including course organization, student guidance, and evaluations.
How to Apply
- Prepare your application materials (CV, cover letter, PhD documentation/degree copies).
- Submit your application online via the KU Leuven Online Application Portal.
- For specific inquiries regarding the role, contact Prof. dr. Wilmar Martinez Martinez via email at
wilmar.martinez@kuleuven.be.
Last Date for Apply
- Deadline: August 7, 2026, at 23:59 CET
