Dr. Dominik Kozjek Recipient of the Prestigious ERC Starting Grant
Mateja Jordović Potočnik
Date of publication:
Assist. Prof. Dr. Dominik Kozjek has been successful in one of the most prestigious research calls, securing a European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant to launch his independent research career. He received €1.5 million in funding for the MeltingWel project, which will enable the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana to conduct groundbreaking research and establish a top-level research group over the next five years.
Dr. Kozjek obtained ERC funding for the innovative MeltingWel project, which focuses on overcoming one of the key limitations of metal 3D printing using selective laser melting (SLM): uncontrolled variations in melting process conditions. These unpredictable changes cause defects and weaken the material properties of printed metal parts, hindering the broader industrial adoption of this advanced technology.
Selective laser melting allows for the production of metal components with complex geometries and high-performance properties unattainable with other methods. It brings lighter products, reduced material consumption, shorter supply chains, and a smaller environmental footprint.
“This project is an extraordinary opportunity to explore new frontiers in metal 3D printing. I believe that our approach will enable a significant breakthrough and accelerate the industrial adoption of this technology,” emphasized Dr. Kozjek.
As part of MeltingWel, researchers will develop artificial intelligence methods for predicting and mitigating variations in melting process conditions. The solution is based on a combination of predictive process control, improved coaxial melt pool depth measurement, and data-driven modelling. If successful, the method has the potential to become a global standard for SLM process control.
The research will be carried out at the Laboratory for Mechatronics, Production Systems, and Automation (LAMPA) at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, under the leadership of Dr. Kozjek. The core research team consists of an optics and pyrometry expert, a researcher in laser and mechatronic systems, and a postdoctoral researcher specializing in FEM and CFD simulations.
The project also foresees collaboration with the Laboratory for Synergetics (LASIN), the Chair of Materials Technology, and the Joint Laboratory for Metal 3D Printing. Part of the experimental work is planned to be conducted at Argonne National Laboratory (USA), in cooperation with researchers from Northwestern University’s AMPL Laboratory. In addition to academic partners, the research group will collaborate with DMG MORI and other industry stakeholders.
Dr. Kozjek earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, where he has been an assistant professor since 2023. His research is situated at the intersection of mechanical engineering and data science, particularly artificial intelligence, with a strong emphasis on transferring scientific achievements into industrial practice. He began his career working in manufacturing—as a CNC machine operator and laboratory technician—which provided him with valuable insights into real-world production processes and challenges. From these experiences, he built a solid foundation for research that today connects cutting-edge science with industry. Between 2021 and 2023, as a postdoctoral researcher at Northwestern University in the USA, he developed pioneering approaches to process control in metal 3D printing. His achievements, published in leading international scientific journals, position him among the prominent researchers in advanced manufacturing technologies. Despite numerous offers for prestigious positions in the USA, he consciously chose to return to Slovenia, where he now channels his knowledge and experience into advancing the domestic scientific and industrial environment.
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana welcomed Dr. Kozjek’s prestigious ERC Starting Grant with great enthusiasm. The Faculty’s Dean, Prof. Dr. Jernej Klemenc, emphasized: “This is an exceptional achievement, confirming that the Faculty fosters an environment where groundbreaking ideas and world-class results can flourish. Such successes inspire and motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible through research excellence.”
Similar satisfaction was expressed by the Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr. Gregor Majdič, who highlighted the broader significance of the project for the University: “At the University of Ljubljana, we are delighted to welcome yet another ERC project. ERC projects are the most prestigious European projects, and our increasing success in obtaining them in recent years demonstrates the international competitiveness of our researchers. I sincerely congratulate project leader Dominik Kozjek and wish him many exciting results in his research work.”
