1 - Working at the VUB
For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike.
At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located.
Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again.
Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.
2 - Position description
The Faculty of Engineering, Department Mechanica van materialen en constructies, Research Group No Large Research Group is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant.
More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains:
The MeMC Department within the Faculty of Engineering at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is seeking a full-time PhD candidate. Your research will align with the key research themes of the Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures (M²S) research group, including advanced characterisation and monitoring of materials and structures, mechanics-driven design and optimisation of high-performance and sustainable materials and structures, and adaptive and multifunctional material systems.
You are motivated to conduct high-quality research and complete a PhD within a four-year period. Based on your own strengths and research interests, you will work together with your supervisors to develop a PhD project closely aligned with the research activities of M²S. You will present your research at international conferences, build an international network of experts in your field, and publish your research findings in leading academic and scientific journals.
To a limited extent, your appointment will also involve coordinating and supervising exercise sessions, laboratory sessions, and project-based learning activities associated with courses taught by the MeMC Department. The exact teaching assignment will be determined annually in consultation with you and your colleagues. Some of these educational activities are conducted in Dutch, while others are taught in English.
You will also contribute to promotional activities for the programmes offered by the department (e.g. participation in VUB Information Days and SID-IN events) and may support the day-to-day management of the department by serving on departmental councils and/or committees. You can work both independently and as part of a team. You are open-minded, communicative, and collaborative in your interactions with colleagues. You actively contribute to the overall functioning and practical organisation of the department. You will join a team that strongly values collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a supportive onboarding process.
For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base.
3 - Profile
What do we expect from you?
- You hold a Master's degree in Engineering Sciences: Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering or Electromechanical Engineering (or an equivalent qualification).
- You are fluent in English. Knowledge of Dutch is considered an asset!
- This vacancy is specifically intended for early-career researchers (with limited paid scientific research experience) who are willing to apply for externally funded research fellowships (e.g. FWO or other funding agencies).
- You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.
- As a (non-)EEA national, meet the conditions for obtaining a valid permit for VUB and comply with the VUB residence requirements. More info here.
The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.
4 - Offer
Are you going to be our new colleague?
You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/10/2026.
You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.
IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.
At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.
As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:
- Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
- An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
- Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
- Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike;
- A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
- Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques;
- Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps;
- The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
- And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.
5 - Interested?
Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?
Then apply, at the latest on 07/09/2026, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:
- your CV;
- your motivation letter in which you include a link to the video in which you introduce yourself and explain why you are applying (e.g. a link to OneDrive or another platform);
- your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).
Our application process is as follows (subject to change):
- step 1: an initial selection based on your application file;
- step 2: a job interview.
Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Lincy Pyl at [email protected] or on 02/629 29 20.
Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.
Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.
