R&D Project Leader – Advanced Cooling Integration for High-Performance Computing

What you will do

As an R&D Project Leader, you will drive the development of next-generation cooling solutions for high-performance computing applications. You will take ownership of a multidisciplinary R&D program that aims to bridge advanced materials, device concepts, and system-level integration.

You will:

• Guide and coordinate a diverse set of imec expertise teams across process, device, integration, modeling, and testing domains.
• Define and implement a coherent integration strategy, bringing together insights from different technical domains into a viable system concept.
• Assess integration, reliability, and scalability needs and translate them into actionable approaches.
• Actively contribute to hands-on R&D activities in the lab when needed, ensuring fast iteration and technical depth.
• Drive interactions with stakeholders across imec and contribute to IP creation and strategic positioning of the technology.

This position sits at the core of a rapidly evolving domain driven by increasing power densities and system complexity in advanced compute hardware. You will play a central role in translating innovative concepts into system-relevant solutions—bridging the gap between research and real-world application.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world's premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you'll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.

Who you are

• PhD in engineering, physics, materials science, or a related field.
• Strong technical background in one or more of the following domains:
  • Thermal management/cooling technologies.
  • Semiconductor processing and integration.
  • Advanced packaging or system integration
• Proven ability to bring together multidisciplinary inputs into a coherent technical vision.
• Experience in project coordination or technical stewardship is a strong asset.
• Hands-on mindset and willingness to engage directly in experimental work.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; able to align diverse teams and drive progress.

Key competences

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to navigate uncertainty and structure complex integration topics.
• Proactive, self-driven, and result-oriented.
• Team player with the ability to influence without formal authority.

Job details

• Title: R&D Project Leader – Advanced Cooling Integration for High-Performance Computing
• Employer: imec
• Location: Kapeldreef 75 Leuven, Belgium
• Published: 2026-09-02
• Application deadline: Unspecified
• Job type: Researcher
• Field: Nanotechnology, Materials Engineering, Energy Technology, Electronics, Materials Chemistry, Materials Physics, Thermodynamics, Systems Engineering, Computational Engineering, Computer Architecture