Conceptual design and performance study of a fuel-cell-powered UAS
(ref. BAP
Laatst aangepast: 28/10/25
The M-Group of KU Leuven is a research team performing ground-breaking work in mechatronic systems and energy. It consists of 9 professors from 3 departments and counts more than 70 members. The group is situated in a modern KU Leuven campus in Bruges, a vibrant historic and picturesque city in the North of Belgium.
The M-Group focuses, amongst others, on sustainable hybrid propulsion systems for drones, with specific interest in hydrogen fuel cells.
Project
Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are becoming increasingly vital in modern society, supporting applications such as surveillance, logistics, maintenance, and communication, both onshore and offshore. For extended missions, battery technology alone is insufficient due to its limited energy density, making hydrogen-based fuel cell systems a promising pathway toward sustainable, long-endurance flight.
The position focuses on aircraft conceptual design and performance analysis, with particular emphasis on the integration of subsystem information provided by project partners and the development of correlations for novel systems not yet described in existing literature. The work is conducted within a European Defence Agency (EDA) Category B project, in close collaboration with international partners across multiple technical disciplines.
Profile
You are a dynamic and passionate problem-solver. You can work independently but also in a multidisciplinary team consisting of knowledge institutes and industry.
The candidate:
* Holds a master's degree in Engineering Sciences or Engineering Technology, preferably with a background in Aeronautics.
* Has adequate communication skills and can present the obtained results competently and comprehensively in research team meetings, conferences, and peer-reviewed journals. Preferably, the candidate has already given presentations at conferences or published articles in high-impact journals.
* Is flexible and has good time management skills.
* Can work autonomously and maintains good interactions with the co/supervisors.
* Has the necessary skills to successfully study aircraft design and performance
* Helps in the organisation of workshops and other events.
* Frequently reports the progress of the conducted research to the co/supervisors.
* Is willing to engage in teaching assignments.
* Wants to travel within Belgium or abroad to assist in meetings, execute tests or conduct measurements if such appears necessary.
* Must have the nationality of a NATO member state.
* Is willing to work in a Defence context.
* Must be proficient in English.
* Is willing to apply for a FWO PhD scholarship to continue the initiated research
Advantages strengthening the candidate's profile, but not explicitly required:
* Knowledge of machine learning and system optimisation; Python or MATLAB programming.
* Having published as (co-)author in a peer-reviewed journal.
* Earlier expertise gained as an academic research assistant or as a research engineer in industry.
* Earlier experience in the domain of conceptual aircraft design.
Offer
* A competitive remuneration package in line with the industry standards of Belgium, a country with a high quality of life and an excellent health system.
* A young, dynamic and international work environment where human contacts and professionalism are very important.
* Partial remote work possible.
* You will work in the historical city of Bruges, in the heart of Europe. Bruges is at 1h from Brussels by train, with a direct link to the international airport "Brussels National".
* The opportunity to pursue a PhD degree in Engineering Technology, a trajectory that typically takes 4 years, in a young and dynamic research team. You will be given a 1-year contract. Financing for the subsequent 3 years must be obtained through successfully participating in competitive funding.
* Other working conditions can be found at
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Frank Buysschaert, tel.:, mail: or Prof. dr. Gokhan Serhat, tel.:, mail:
You can apply for this job no later than November 28, 2025 via the online application tool
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
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Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds
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Locatie: Brugge
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Solliciteren tot en met:
28/11/2025 23:59 CET
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Tags: Werktuigkunde