Research Manager Data Protection

Organisation/Company

KU Leuven

Research Field

Computer science » Database management
Computer science » Informatics
Computer science » Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Application Deadline

13 Apr 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Country

Belgium

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

DistriNet is an international research group with extensive expertise in secure & distributed software. Embedded in the Department of Computer Science, Group Science, Engineering & Technology of KU Leuven, DistriNet brings together a substantial critical mass of over 100 researchers, including 15 full-time professors, 10 permanent research staff members, 15 postdoctoral researchers, and about 80 PhD researchers. The conducted research is systems-centric, often application-driven and in many cases performed in close collaboration with industry. The know-how of DistriNet formed the basis of multiple spin-off companies (https://distrinet.cs.kuleuven.be/spinoffs/ ). The dominant expertise of DistriNet focuses on Secure Software and Systems, covering applications, services, middleware and systems, infrastructures, methods and tools.

DistriNet seeks to expand its team with a research manager in the domain Data Protection. In the field of Secure Software, in a world where big data and intelligent applications play an increasingly important role, there is a strong need to broaden and reinforce the security theme with several strategically important sub-areas. Central to this is the protection of data, with attention to security on the one hand and privacy on the other. The demand from applied research for data-driven security and privacy projects is extremely high; moreover several members of our research group have already been investing strongly and successfully in this research theme.

Within DistriNet, a growing subgroup of researchers is focusing on the integration of practical data protection schemes technologies in applied research projects, thus addressing the combined set of requirements that come data sharing, data storage and data transfer. The ambition of the division is to further develop this strategic subdomain, from the perspective of enhancing strategic research, and by developing applied research projects, in collaboration with regional and international industry partners.
Website unit

Responsibilities

The research manager Data Protection will further extend DistriNet’s research at an international level.

This includes the following responsibilities:

• You initiate, attain and coordinate research project ideas. This includes knowledge acquisition of relevant national and international research programs, participation in project idea initiatives, negotiations with industry and academic partners and defining project plans.
• By attending and organizing workshops and stakeholder meetings you expand DistriNet’s national and international network in research, industry and government.
• You follow and assess relevant internal and external developments within the research domain of data protection; you cover a broad range of research topics directly coupled to data protection, within the context of data storage, data management, data sharing and data exchange in an industrial context.
• You compare internal research results with those of other research centers.
• You stimulate and drive the creation and enhancement of data protection solutions through the development of case studies and applied research in real world projects and collaborations with regional industry.
• You contribute to the development of the research strategy related to data protection within the DistriNet research group.

Profile

• Ph.D. in Computer Science (Doctor in Engineering or in Sciences: Informatics, Computer Science), or equivalent based on experience.
• Knowledge and experience in a number of research subdomains related to data protection, including but not limited to:
• data protection practices in distributed storage systems, various types of databases
• transformation techniques increasing protection while yielding utility for specific apps
• the generation of synthetic data that are relevant and representative for high-sensitive and highly protected data collections
• metrics and assessment techniques for quality of protection, compliance and risk
• state-of-the-art technology for data protection in popular cloud platforms, etc.
• The ability to define, manage and coordinate research projects.
• Affinity with the national and international research community.
• The ability to work independently as well as part of a research organization.
• The ability to coach junior researchers and to collaborate in a peer-to-peer fashion.
• Fluent in English, both written and oral.

Offer

We offer a permanent and full-time position as Research Manager at KU Leuven in a very dynamic and internationally oriented research group at one of the best universities in Europe. The candidate will work on KU Leuven’s campus in Ghent and will typically spend 20% of the time in Leuven.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Tom Van Cutsem, mail: tom.vancutsem@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Vincent Naessens, mail: vincent.naessens@kuleuven.be .

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/ku-leuven/2026/research-manager-data-protectio…

Research Field

Computer science

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

Computer science

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Research Field

Computer science

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KU Leuven

Country

Belgium

City

Leuven

Postal Code

3000

Street

Oude Markt 13

Geofield

City

Leuven

Website

http://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/

Postal Code

3000

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