KU Leuven is an international community where innovative research forms the basis of all our academic programmes. Across the university, driven researchers and curious students continually gain new insights and use their knowledge to tackle the foremost challenges of our time. Owing to its cutting-edge research, KU Leuven is a charter member of LERU, has been ranked as Europe’s most innovative university and is among the Top 10 of European universities.
The activities of this project are embedded within a strong interdisciplinary collaboration between KU Leuven, UZ Leuven and the Centre for Developmental Disabilities, involving expertise in neonatology, pediatric neurology, ophthalmology, rehabilitation sciences, and engineering.
This interdisciplinary PhD project is hosted by the Department of Development and Regeneration within the PRONTO research lab, and further supported by the Neonatology Unit of University Hospitals Leuven and Department of Electrical Engineering, providing access to complementary expertise and training environments. You will closely collaborate with project members, including another PhD student and members of the research groups. You will participate in regular team meetings, and benefit from close supervision, a collaborative research culture, and opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and professional development.
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Project
This project focuses on early visuomotor development and its neurological determinants in preterm infants at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Preterm birth, affecting approximately 10% of all births worldwide (12000 in Belgium yearly), is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities, mainly cerebral palsy and developmental coordination disorder. Yet the mechanisms linking early brain maturation to later visuocognitive and motor development remain insufficiently understood.
The proposed PhD project specifically aims to address these knowledge gaps by determining multimodal markers of altered brain maturation and motor development in high-risk infants, combining advanced neuroimaging (MRI), electrophysiology (EEG), and wearable sensing. Using longitudinal data collected during the first 2 years of life, the project seeks to detect altered brain maturation and its relation to motor development trajectories and to identify early biomarkers for deficient bimanual coordination outcome by using multimodal integration models
As a PhD researcher, you will:
- Support MRI and EEG data acquisition and optimise processing pipelines
- Manage, curate and integrate multimodal datasets (MRI, EEG, wearable sensors)
- Develop and apply advanced signal data analysis approaches, including machine learning and AI-based modelling
- Quantify early brain maturation markers and relate them to visuomotor developmental outcomes
- Work closely with clinicians and researchers in a multidisciplinary environment
- Publish results in international journals and present at conferences, and participate in public outreach activities
Profile
• Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Applied Engineering, Biomechanics, Physics, Data Science, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences or a related field
• Good to strong academic performance (with minimal distinction in Master program)
• Genuine interest in neurodevelopment, brain imaging and signal processing, with strong motivation to conduct clinical research and to engage with research participants
• Proficiency in programming (including Python, MATLAB or/and R)
• Experience with neuroimaging (e.g MRI and EEG) and signal processing (e.g. wearable sensors) is valuable, but is not a prerequisite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently, take responsibilities and collaborate in a multidisciplinary team
• Mastering of the English language (spoken and written) is mandatory. Willingness to acquire Dutch is required.
• Willingness to apply for a PhD fellowship in 2027, with support from the host institutions.
Offer
We offer a fully funded, full-time, 4 year PhD position within an innovative interdisciplinary research project ‘Multifaceted longitudinal assessment of visuomotor functioning in infants at high-risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• Full-time PhD position (initial 1 year, renewable up to 4 years)
• Contract will start from October 15, 2026 or as soon as possible hereafter.
• Salary according to KU Leuven standards
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and cutting-edge facilities
• Advanced academic and interpersonal skill training through the Doctoral School program
• Interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment
• Training and mastering of advanced methods and transferable skills
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary and (inter)national collaborations
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Els Ortibus, mail: [email protected]. Submit a motivation letter, your cv including academic and research experience, copy of your diploma (if already in your possession), and contact information for two references. Interviews will take place in the first two weeks of September 2026.
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