Required
· PhD in Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, or a closely related field.
· Strong experimental background in nonlinear optical imaging, spectroscopy, or ultrafast laser-based methods.
· Proven experience in building, adapting, or critically evaluating advanced optical experiments.
· Solid understanding of structure-sensitive optical methods and laser–matter interactions.
· Ability to work independently at a senior level and contribute actively to new research directions.
· Good scientific communication skills in spoken and written English.
Highly valued
· Experience with harmonic generation imaging, coherent Raman methods, multiphoton microscopy, or related nonlinear optical techniques.
· Interest in or prior exposure to pharmaceutical materials, soft matter, or solid-state systems.
· Experience with quantitative analysis of optical or imaging data.
· Prior experience mentoring students or junior researchers.
· Interest in helping shape broader projects and future grant applications.
Qualities
· Scientific initiative and a strong sense of ownership.
· Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to connect technical development to scientific questions.
· Collaborative attitude and openness to interaction with students, academic collaborators, and industrial partners.
· Interest in both fundamental nonlinear optics and application-driven materials research.
Responsibilities
· Take a leading role in the development and application of nonlinear optical imaging and spectroscopy methods for pharmaceutical screening and structure-sensitive materials analysis.
· Develop and validate proof-of-concept strategies for detecting structural organization, mesoscopic ordering, and crystallinity in complex materials.
· Explore advanced multimodal optical approaches, including harmonic generation, coherent Raman, multiphoton fluorescence, or related nonlinear contrast mechanisms, depending on the candidate’s expertise.
· Contribute to the development of high-throughput and quantitative optical screening methodologies.
· Help shape broader research lines in the group at the interface of nonlinear optics, imaging, and material structure analysis.
· Supervise and mentor PhD and Master’s students and contribute to a collaborative research environment.
· Interact scientifically with academic and industrial partners and contribute to publication, valorization, and future project development.
The research will be carried out within the Molecular Imaging and Photonics (MIP) group at KU Leuven KULAK (Kortrijk campus). MIP is an internationally oriented research group working on nonlinear and multiphoton optical spectroscopy and microscopy for molecular and materials characterization. The project is embedded within a broader research programme across KU Leuven (Leuven and Kortrijk campuses), involving more than 10 PhD researchers and postdoctoral fellows working on closely related topics in nonlinear optics, imaging, and spectroscopy. We are seeking a Senior Researcher who will play a leading role in developing nonlinear optical imaging strategies for pharmaceutical screening and broader materials analysis. The position combines method development, experimental implementation, and scientific application of advanced optical imaging and spectroscopy to structure-sensitive questions in complex materials.
· Appointment in a strong international research environment with close interaction across KU Leuven campuses and with external collaborators.
· Competitive salary according to KU Leuven scales and Belgian employment conditions.
· Access to state-of-the-art laser systems and optical infrastructure.
· Opportunity to contribute to broader research directions and future project development.