- Reference: 2537
- Apply before: 15 February 2026
- Full-time
Breaking ground as an intensive care doctor
UZ Leuven profiles itself as a European centre of excellence in advanced medicine and clinical research. Continuous investments in people, science and technology strengthen our international expertise. Together, we break ground.
In keeping with our university mission, patient care is continuously subjected to critical reflection and evaluation. In an organisation of more than 10,000 employees, personalised high‑quality care, multidisciplinary collaboration, professionalism, innovation and training are key.
The intensive care unit comprises 67 accredited beds, including specialised units for paediatric intensive care and burns. We play a unique role in tertiary and quaternary pathology, with a crucial position in spearhead care programmes such as transplants, cardiac surgery, extra-corporeal circulation, mechanical assist devices, neurosurgery, trauma, burns and paediatric intensive care. We are looking for a medical staff member in the intensive care unit (adult intensive care medicine) who is also willing to join the on‑call rota at the PICU.
UZ Leuven's intensive care unit offers a stimulating environment where clinical excellence, academic output and multidisciplinary collaboration go hand in hand. We have a strong academic output, with investigator-driven research published in leading journals and successful competitive research funding.
How will you break ground?
An intensive care doctor breaks ground by providing high‑quality care every day to the most critically ill patients. You combine clinical expertise in a high-tech environment with a warm, person‑centred approach, standing alongside patients and their families when they are at their most vulnerable. You play an active role in teaching and training, enabling future generations of doctors and nurses to grow in knowledge and skills. At the same time, you strengthen scientific research and generate new insights that help advance intensive care medicine. Collaboration is in your DNA: you're part of a multidisciplinary team of accredited intensive care doctors with core disciplines in anaesthesiology, paediatrics, cardiology, nephrology and internal medicine. You contribute to spearhead care programmes such as transplants, cardiac surgery, extra-corporeal circulation, mechanical assist devices, neurosurgery, trauma, burns and paediatric intensive care. In doing so, you help build a unit that integrates clinical care, research and education and is nationally and internationally recognised for tertiary and quaternary pathology, with a strong academic output and publications in leading journals.
What qualifications do you need?
- A recognised diploma in Belgium or the European Union as a medical specialist.
- You need to obtain the validation of your medical and specialist degree in Belgium (a straightforward administrative procedure for European degrees).
- You speak one of the three official Belgian languages (Dutch, French, or German) at C1 level and are willing to learn Dutch in the short term if you are not a Dutch speaker.
- You have a strong interest in, and expertise with, respiratory pathology, mechanical ventilation, respiratory rehabilitation and weaning strategies, both clinically and in teaching and research.
- A completed PhD, or the ambition to start a PhD programme, shows your scientific drive.
- You're willing to join the intensive care on‑call rota, including paediatric intensive care on-call duties.
What do you get in return?
- You join a dynamic unit comprising 67 accredited ICU beds and a strong reputation in both clinical and scientific care. You work closely with KU Leuven and take an active role in teaching programmes, allowing you to share and further develop your expertise.
- You will find yourself in an inspiring working environment where multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation and academic output are key. You will be joining a team that is nationally and internationally recognised for tertiary and quaternary pathology, with a crucial role in spearhead care programmes such as transplants, cardiac surgery, extra-corporeal circulation, mechanical assist devices, neurosurgery, trauma, burns and paediatric intensive care.
- You are appointed for one year, with the clear intention of converting this into a permanent contract.
Ready to break ground?
Send your letter of application with curriculum vitae before 15 February 2026 to UZ Leuven, for the attention of the department head prof. dr. Geert Meyfroidt and the chief medical officer, prof. dr. Gert Van Assche, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium or by email to gert.vanassche@uzleuven.be.
For more information about this position please contact prof. dr. Geert Meyfroidt, head of the intensive care unit via the secretariat on 016 34 40 21 or intensieve_geneeskunde@uzleuven.be.