Pros
Overall, life here is pretty good. The level of pressure you feel mostly depends on your daily supervisor. People are generally friendly, and Leuven is a quiet, small, and charming city with many historic buildings.
Cons
As much as I enjoy research, I've found it challenging to engage in scientific discussions here. In my team, work-related conversations during lunch are rare, and most colleagues leave the office relatively early, around 16:30 - 17:30. Many prioritize work-life balance over research pursuits. Imec's reputation as a top semiconductor research center isn't solely due to individual talent but also its business model. Without direct competition, success is almost guaranteed. However, if your research focuses on industry-preferred topics or cutting-edge semiconductor devices, imec may be the ideal environment. Academic value often takes a backseat, and without industry interest, research efforts may go unnoticed. Yet, recognition from industry partners can elevate your profile as a researcher. On another note, forming connections with local Belgians has proven challenging due to perceived closed-mindedness.