UZ Leuven

Cardiac Surgery Observership

UZ Leuven · Leuven, Belgium · Observership · Rolling

A cardiac surgery observership for qualified specialist surgeons seeking additional academic exposure at UZ Leuven. Apply at least six months before the desired start.

Eligibility

Already graduated as a specialist surgeon.

Deadline

Apply at least 6 months before the desired start

Language

UZ Leuven states no special language requirement for a clinical observership. Dutch requirements for hands-on specialist training are a separate pathway.

Application documents

Cover letter, CV, identity document and observership application form.

Official contact

cardiale.heelkunde@uzleuven.be; +32 16 34 42 60

Participation

Clinical observation only: no medical acts and no direct individual patient contact under the hospital’s observer conditions.

International applicant pathway

The International Office distinguishes observation from employment and specialist training. Confirm immigration and visitor arrangements for your nationality; its healthcare-profession visa discussion is not itself an entry visa or a licence for observers.

How to apply: Send a cover letter at least six months before the proposed start, CV, ID copy and completed “aanvraagformulier kijkstage” form. Contact cardiale.heelkunde@uzleuven.be and the international office for administrative arrangements.

Not published by the host: funding. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 31 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →

UZ Leuven Cardiac Surgery Clinical Fellowship

UZ Leuven · Leuven, Belgium · Advanced Clinical Fellowship · Date not announced

Clinical cardiac surgery fellowship at UZ Leuven for qualified specialist surgeons, with international recognition and registration requirements.

Eligibility

Qualified specialist surgeon.

Deadline

No current call announced

International applicants

Foreign-degree recognition and Belgian professional registration required.

Language

UZ Leuven’s International Office describes Dutch requirements for clinical work based on duties and patient contact, and a separate Belgian national-language requirement for the professional licence (visum). Confirm the level and evidence required for the specific cardiac fellowship appointment.

Application documents

Apply with a cover letter one year before the intended start. Include a CV, ID, primary medical qualification and proof of specialist recognition. International applicants also need foreign-degree recognition and registration with the Belgian Order of Physicians.

Official contact

Cardiac Surgery department: cardiale.heelkunde@uzleuven.be; +32 16 34 42 60.

Participation

Operative privileges require host confirmation.

Registration

International candidates must apply for recognition of the foreign qualification and register with the Belgian Order of Physicians.

Visa information

UZ Leuven distinguishes the Belgian professional licence (visum) from immigration permission. Its International Office states that EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a work permit or entry visa to work in Belgium. Other applicants should confirm the applicable work and residence requirements with the International Office.

Recognition of cardiac surgery training

UZ Leuven notes that some specialist qualifications from elsewhere in the EEA, including cardiac surgery, are reviewed by a specialist committee. Its International Office describes a separate initial equivalence step for medical degrees obtained outside the EEA.

How to apply: Contact cardiac surgery with a cover letter a year before the proposed start; include the documents listed by the hospital.

Not published by the host: funding. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 27 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →

Esophageal / Upper GI Surgery Fellowship

UZ Leuven · Leuven, Belgium · Clinical Fellowship · Closed

A post-residency year in complex oesophageal and upper-GI surgery, combining three to four clinical days with one to two academic days each week. Training covers open, minimally invasive, robotic and redo procedures, with supervised call and research outputs. The advertised January–December 2027 cohort closed on 15 October 2026.

Eligibility

Completed general, visceral or thoracic surgery residency by start; qualification eligible for Belgian recognition

Deadline

15 Oct 2026 (2027 intake; closed)

Language

C1 Dutch, French or German for the employment contract; fluent English

Funding

Salary under applicable Belgian fellowship regulations; amount not stated

Application documents

CV, proof of specialist certification, motivation letter

Official contact

Prof. Philippe Nafteux: philippe.nafteux@uzleuven.be; Prof. Lieven Depypere: lieven.depypere@uzleuven.be.

Clinical participation

Supervised operative teaching, progressive responsibility and joint/supervised upper-GI on-call

Research component

Clinical/translational research; at least one international presentation and one peer-reviewed publication expected

Weekly structure

Three to four days of clinic/operating activity and one to two academic days, plus joint/supervised upper-GI on-call.

Training exposure

Oesophagectomy, hiatal hernia and anti-reflux surgery, complex redo cases and multidisciplinary perioperative management; teaching progresses with prior experience.

Academic development

Own clinical/translational project, manuscript preparation, at least one international presentation and one peer-reviewed publication expected; support for the UEMS upper-GI examination.

How to apply: Send a CV, specialist certification and motivation letter to philippe.nafteux@uzleuven.be and lieven.depypere@uzleuven.be. The 2027 call closed 15 October 2026.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →