PhD Position in Molecular Imaging (Endometriosis Research) 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

KU Leuven, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious research universities, is offering a fully funded PhD position within its Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Group. This position is embedded in a groundbreaking phase II clinical trial investigating a non-invasive imaging technique for the diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition that affects roughly 10% of women worldwide. If you are passionate about medical science and want your doctoral research to have real impact on women’s health, this is a rare and exciting opportunity.

This position is ideal for recent graduates or early-career researchers who hold a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physics, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related discipline. Candidates must have a strong interest in clinical research, an analytical mindset, and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment. Proficiency in both English and Dutch is required.

This post will walk you through everything you need to know about this PhD position, including the eligibility requirements, what the role involves, the benefits on offer, documents required, how to apply, and tips to help you put together a strong application.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

To be considered for this PhD position, you must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship: The listing does not specify nationality restrictions. KU Leuven is an equal opportunity institution that welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Academic qualifications: A completed Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Medical Physics, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field is required. The degree must be completed before the position starts. 

Work experience: No formal work experience is listed as a requirement. However, prior experience with medical imaging (PET/CT or MRI), clinical research, or statistics is considered a strong asset.

Language requirements: Proficiency in both English and Dutch is required, covering both written and spoken communication. This is a firm requirement given the clinical environment and patient interaction involved.

Other requirements:

• An analytical mindset and comfort with quantitative data
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team
• Genuine interest in clinical trials and translational research

Assets that will strengthen your application (not mandatory):

• Experience with medical imaging modalities (PET/CT, MRI) or nuclear medicine
• Programming skills in Python, R, MATLAB, or similar tools
• Familiarity with clinical research methods or biostatistics
• Interest in women’s health and innovative diagnostics

Eligible Countries

KU Leuven does not specify a restricted list of eligible countries for this position. The university promotes diversity and does not discriminate based on national or ethnic background.

However, non-EU applicants should be aware that working in Belgium as a doctoral researcher may require a work permit or visa. Candidates are advised to check with the university’s HR department or Belgian immigration authorities regarding their individual situation.

If you are unsure whether your country is eligible, contact the supervisor directly at niloefar.ahmadibidakhvidi@uzleuven.be or email apply@kuleuven.be for guidance.

Eligible Fields of Study

This position is specifically targeted at candidates from the following academic backgrounds:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics
• Medicine (MD or equivalent)
• Biomedical Sciences
• Related fields (candidates from adjacent disciplines with relevant experience are encouraged to inquire)

This is not an open-field scholarship. The research is highly technical and sits at the intersection of clinical medicine, imaging science, and data analysis. Applicants from unrelated fields such as humanities, law, or business are unlikely to meet the academic requirements.

Benefits

This is a fully funded PhD position. Here is a breakdown of what is included:

1. Salary: A competitive salary and benefits package in line with KU Leuven regulations for doctoral researchers. 
2. Duration of funding: Three years, with the stated intention to secure additional funding for a fourth year.
3. Research environment: Access to state-of-the-art imaging and research infrastructure at the Medical Imaging Research Center (MIRC) and University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven).
4. Mentorship and collaboration: Close collaboration with leading experts in nuclear medicine, gynecology, radiology, and pathology.
5. Publication support: Opportunities to contribute to peer-reviewed scientific publications.
6. Conference opportunities: Support for presenting research at international conferences.
7. Multidisciplinary network: Integration into an internationally leading research group that brings together clinicians, engineers, physicists, and data scientists.

Required Documents

When applying, you will need to submit the following:

1. A detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
2. A short motivation letter (maximum one page)
3. Master’s degree certificate or transcript 
4. Proof of English and Dutch language proficiency 
5. Contact details for references 

Note: The official application is submitted through the KU Leuven online application tool. Gather all documents before beginning the online application to avoid an incomplete submission.

How to Apply

Follow these steps carefully to apply for the PhD position:

Step 1: Review the full job posting on the KU Leuven vacancies website to confirm you meet all the listed requirements before investing time in your application.

Step 2: Research the project. Read about [18F]AlF-FAPI-74 PET/CT imaging and endometriosis diagnostics so that your motivation letter reflects a genuine understanding of the research.

Step 3: Prepare your CV. Include your academic background, research experience, technical skills (especially imaging or programming), publications if any, and relevant coursework.

Step 4: Write your motivation letter. This should be no longer than one page. Be specific about why you are interested in this particular project, what relevant skills or experience you bring, and what you hope to achieve through the PhD.

Step 5: Gather all required supporting documents, including your Master’s degree transcript or certificate and any evidence of language proficiency in English and Dutch.

Step 6: If you have questions about the research project, email Dr. Niloefar Ahmadi Bidakhvidi at niloefar.ahmadibidakhvidi@uzleuven.be before submitting your application. This also gives you a chance to make a positive first impression.

Step 7: Visit the KU Leuven online application portal and create an account if you do not already have one. The reference number for this position is BAP-2026-187. You will need this to find and apply to the correct vacancy.

Step 8: Complete the online application form accurately. Double-check all fields before submission, as errors in an online form can delay or disqualify your application.

Step 9: Upload all required documents through the portal. Ensure your files are clearly named and in the correct format (typically PDF).

Step 10: Submit your application before the deadline of April 30, 2026. You should receive a confirmation email. If you do not, contact apply@kuleuven.be to confirm receipt.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for this position is April 30, 2026. The time zone and exact time of day have not been specified in the listing.

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted. Do not wait until the last day. Submit your application at least 48 hours before the deadline to avoid technical issues with the online portal.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee at KU Leuven will evaluate applicants based on the following:

1. Academic excellence: Your Master’s degree results and the relevance of your academic background to the project will carry significant weight.
2. Research aptitude: Demonstrated ability to analyze data, think critically, and approach problems systematically. Candidates with any prior research experience, even at a small scale, will be at an advantage.
3. Technical skills: Familiarity with medical imaging, programming, or biostatistics will strengthen your profile. Even if these are not mandatory requirements, candidates who possess them are likely to stand out.
4. Communication and teamwork: The role involves constant collaboration with clinicians, scientists, and administrative staff. Your ability to communicate clearly in both English and Dutch will be assessed.
5. Motivation and fit: The selection committee will assess whether your stated goals and research interests genuinely align with the scope and direction of the project. Generic motivation letters are unlikely to succeed.
6. Commitment to the field: Demonstrated interest in women’s health, molecular imaging, or clinical translational research will be viewed favorably.

Important Tips

1. Tailor your motivation letter to this specific project. Mention endometriosis research, the clinical trial context, and why non-invasive diagnostics matter to you personally or professionally.
2. Do not exceed one page for the motivation letter. The instruction is explicit. A two-page letter will signal that you cannot follow instructions, which is a red flag in a research environment.
3. Demonstrate your Dutch proficiency clearly. Since Dutch is a required language, be explicit in your CV or letter about your level and how you developed it.
4. Contact Dr. Ahmadi Bidakhvidi before applying if you have genuine scientific questions about the project. A thoughtful email exchange can set you apart from candidates who submit cold applications.
5. Use the reference number BAP-2026-187 in all correspondence and when searching the online portal. This ensures your application reaches the right team.
6. Highlight any experience with quantitative data analysis, even if it was not in a medical imaging context. The ability to handle and interpret data is central to this role.
7. If you have programming experience in Python, R, or MATLAB, list specific tools, libraries, or projects you have worked on. Vague claims of “programming skills” are less convincing than concrete examples.
8. Start your application early. The online portal at KU Leuven may require account registration and document uploads that take longer than expected. Avoid a last-minute rush.
9. If you are a non-EU applicant, start researching Belgian work permit requirements as early as possible, as the visa process can take several weeks or months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Link

To apply, visit the KU Leuven online vacancies portal:

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/60640828?lang=en

Official contact for research enquiries: niloefar.ahmadibidakhvidi@uzleuven.be

For application system support: apply@kuleuven.be

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