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PhD Scholarship 'Sustainability in deeptech'

Category:  PhD

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 Social Sciences & Solvay Business School, Department Business Technology and Operations, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

 

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains: 


  • Context:
    • This position provides a unique opportunity to support sustainable innovation in businesses while conducting impactful research in sustainability and entrepreneurship.
    • You will help foster a forward-thinking, sustainable ecosystem in Brussels.

 

  • About Us:
    • BUDA: Research group focused on business development supported by artificial intelligence and grounded in sustainability. Specialized in providing tools and networks for innovation.
    • FARI: A non-profit institute founded by VUB and ULB, leveraging AI, data, and robotics for the common good. It brings together 10 research groups with expertise in technology, ethics, and social sciences. Based in Brussels, we collaborate with governments, industry, and citizens on urban and sustainable AI, focusing on priorities such as health, mobility, climate, energy, and inclusivity.
    • sustain.brussels: A digital innovation hub supporting Brussels’ digital transformation and sustainability goals.

 

  • Responsibilities:
    • You will conduct sustainability assessments for Brussels-based companies.
    • You will develop training modules on sustainable business practices and innovation.
    • You will engage with companies, startups, policymakers, and researchers to foster collaboration.
    • You will conduct research on sustainable business design, culminating in a doctoral thesis.
    • You will support the day-to-day operations and outreach of BUDA and sustain.brussels.

 

For this function, you will sometimes be working at our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene), but most of the time the FARI-offices in BeCentral (Kantersteen 12 - 1000 Brussels) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

 

  • You hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Sustainability Science, Innovation Management, or Business Studies.

 

  • You have: 
    • a start-up mentality; 
    • experience with qualitative or quantitative research;
    • a passion for sustainability and experience in sustainable business practices and/or sustainable digitalization/ICT;
    • strong organizational and communication skills. 
  • Proficiency in English is mandatory; working knowledge of Dutch or French is highly desirable;
  • Strong intrinsic motivation and self-organization are a pre-requisite for the execution of this function.

 

  • 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.

 

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 01/03/2025. 

 

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 31/01/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

  • your CV;
  • your motivation letter;
  • your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

 

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Dr. Geoffrey Aerts at geoffrey.aerts@vub.be or on +32 (0) 478 93 18 66.

 

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.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS VACANCY?

You can contact the person mentioned in the job description.

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