Hoofd van de medische afdeling – centrum voor menselijke genetica

Breaking grounds as medical department head

Patient care, training and research are UZ Leuven's three core tasks. In Belgium and Europe we play a leading role which we want to retain and develop. To this end, more than 10,000 motivated employees pool their expertise every day.
UZ Leuven has a solid reputation as a European referral centre for complex high-quality patient care and ground-breaking translational clinical scientific research.

The Centre for Human Genetics (CME) at UZ Leuven is one of the eight recognised genetic centres in Belgium and has, over the years, established itself as a leading institution in genetic services and diagnostics. The CME employs more than 200 staff and primarily comprises a clinical team and a BELAC-accredited diagnostic laboratory. The clinical team provides genetic services and genetic counselling through specialised genetics consultations, both within UZ Leuven and at 13 regional hospitals across Flanders. The diagnostic laboratory offers genetic diagnostic services in a broad range of genetic tests for both constitutional and acquired genetic disorders. To support its genetic diagnostic activities, the laboratory has access to a state-of-the-art technological platform (Genomics Core) which provides the equipment and infrastructure required for high-quality and innovative research. The CME is also part of KU Leuven (Department of Human Genetics) and in this capacity contributes to scientific research in rare and genetic disorders. Emphasis is placed on a good cross-fertilisation between clinical practice and research. Finally, the CME also has an important training mission, particularly in the medical and biomedical courses, both at KU Leuven and beyond.

How will you break grounds?

In addition to your clinical duties, you will also take on responsibilities in terms of training and scientific research and encourage and inspire your staff members to further develop their own skills, in consultation with the dean and the Chief Medical Officer. You monitor the balance between the department’s clinical and scientific mission.
As medical department head, you form a bridge between the board and the medical department. In joint consultation with the board and your staff you determine the department's strategic policy and translate this policy into specific goals.
You stimulate optimisation and innovation within your own area of expertise and encourage the same among your fellow staff members.
You propagate UZ Leuven's vision and values as an international medical centre of expertise.
You also pay attention to the place of your department and UZ Leuven within the local and supra-regional network.
You possess the necessary management skills, you have excellent communication skills and you know how to inspire and constructively steer your staff to work in a quality-oriented and innovative way.
You are a leader who brings people together and have the ability to lead a change programme and successfully implement it.
You should also have an eye for the practical organisation and business economic efficiency of the department and seek optimal cross-department multidisciplinary collaboration between doctors, paramedics, nurses and other professional groups. You do this in consultation with the UZ Leuven board.

What qualifications do you need?

You obtained a diploma as a doctor and specialist in clinical genetics recognised in Belgium/the European Union and hold a PhD.
You have relevant clinical expertise and experience in scientific research and training. Experience in leadership is a bonus.
What do you get in return?

The opportunity to further develop a medical department of national and international renown, in close collaboration with organ specialists and supporting services, within a vibrant scientific environment.
An interesting, complex high-tech hospital organisation with continuous challenges in terms of content.
A good personnel status with numerous fringe benefits.
Ready to break grounds?

Send your letter of motivation with curriculum vitae before 31 August 2026 with reference number 2621 to UZ Leuven, general management, attn. the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Gert Van Assche, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, or by email to gert.vanassche@uzleuven.be.