PhD Researcher in Additive Manufacturing of Ceramic Turbomachinery Components
Fully funded MSCA PhD position to develop UV-curable silicon nitride slurries and optimize DLP/SLA 3D printing for complex turbomachinery parts.
Best for:Best for materials science graduates with hands-on experience in ceramics processing, additive manufacturing, or microstructural analysis, seeking a fully funded EU PhD opportunity with international mobility.
Overview
This four-year PhD position within the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network (TURBO-IMPACT) focuses on advancing additive manufacturing of silicon nitride (Si3N4) turbomachinery components. Based at KU Leuven’s Advanced Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy team, the successful candidate will develop UV-curable Si3N4 slurries, optimize DLP/SLA printing strategies, and characterize the resulting ceramic parts. The project integrates international secondments at EPFL (Switzerland), Admatec Additive Solutions (Netherlands), and IFW (Germany). The role offers access to state-of-the-art facilities, interdisciplinary training, and participation in a collaborative EU research network. Applicants should have a master’s degree in Materials Science/Engineering or related fields and demonstrate proficiency in English and basic experience in ceramics, additive manufacturing, or microstructural characterization.
What you'll do
- Develop UV-curable silicon nitride (Si3N4) slurries optimized for DLP/SLA 3D printing.
- Design and optimize printing strategies for reference parts and complex turbomachinery components (e.g., impellers).
- Execute post-printing debinding and sintering processes to achieve fully dense ceramic components.
- Characterize printed parts microstructurally, mechanically, and geometrically.
- Collaborate with international partners during secondments at EPFL (Switzerland), Admatec (Netherlands), and IFW (Germany).
- Present research findings at local and international conferences.
- Participate in training activities and doctoral school programs at KU Leuven.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or a related field (minimum two-year program).
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency at a level suitable for academic research (e.g., IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 if not a native speaker).
Instruction: English
- Basic experience or strong interest in ceramics processing (e.g., powder metallurgy, sintering).
- Familiarity with additive manufacturing techniques (e.g., DLP/SLA).
- Knowledge of microstructural and mechanical characterization methods.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English (IELTS/TOEFL may be required if not native).
- Ability to work collaboratively in an international research environment.
- Applicant must not have resided or worked in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment (MSCA Mobility Rule).
- Applicant must not already hold a doctoral degree.
- Applicant must be eligible for MSCA Doctoral Network funding at the time of recruitment.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-30
Applicants must submit their application through the KU Leuven job application tool. Required documents include a full CV, motivation letter, transcripts of BSc and MSc degrees (with English translations if applicable), proof of English proficiency (if available), two reference letters (if available), and an English version of the MSc thesis or relevant publication (if available).
- Full CV
- Motivation letter
- Transcripts of BSc and MSc degrees (with English translations if applicable)
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS, if available)
- Two reference letters (if available)
- English version of MSc thesis or relevant publication (if available)
Contact
Prof. Jozef Vleugels· Supervisor
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