PhD in AI-based Compression and Information Theory for Multi-Agent Perception

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 Electronics and Informatics, Research Group Electronics and Informatics: Research – Development - Innovation is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

ETRO, the Department of Electronics and Informatics (http://www.etrovub.be/) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), performs fundamental and applied research in Micro- & Optoelectronics, multidimensional signal processing, and audiovisual computing. We are a core member of imec, the world-leading research and innovation hub in nano-electronics and digital technologies. English is our primary working language, and we foster a welcoming, multicultural environment.

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

We invite applications for a fully funded PhD position within the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant “Reinventing Multiterminal Coding for Intelligent Machines (IONIAN).” As data volumes captured by intelligent machines (such as video and point cloud signals) surge, traditional storage and communication approaches struggle to keep pace. IONIAN disrupts compression and communication systems for autonomous vehicles, smart transportation systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles by creating a groundbreaking framework underpinned by interpretable and explainable AI.

You will pioneer network information theory concepts and their real-world deployment in autonomous systems such as ground and aerial vehicles, and mobile robots. This includes:

• formulating and solving long-standing multiterminal information theory problems using modern machine learning techniques;
• designing and analyzing multiterminal data compression and communication architectures for cooperative autonomous machines;
• designing semantic-aware compression & network information theory: derive new rate–(task-)distortion–reliability bounds, design adaptive codecs that prioritise safety-critical bits, and close the loop between information theory and AI models for cooperative perception;
• publishing research findings at top-tier conferences and journals.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field:

  • you have a solid foundation in information theory, signal processing, or communications;
  • you have good knowledge of machine learning techniques, ideally deep learning;
  • you have strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or C++, including deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch);
  • you have the aptitude for analytical thinking, problem-solving, and mathematical rigor;
  • you have basic experience with experimental or simulation-based research;
  • you have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English;
  • you have a strong team spirit and capacity to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Nice-to-Haves:

  • prior experience with multiterminal source coding, network information theory, or distributed optimization;
  • record of publications in reputable conferences or journals;
  • interest in robotics, autonomous vehicles, or embedded systems;
  • familiarity with explainable AI or interpretable AI techniques.

• 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 01/06/2026. 

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 01/04/2026, via jobs.vub.be, compile and submit the following documents into a single PDF:

• your cover letter (1-2 pages): describe your motivation, relevant background, and how your interests align with the position;

• your curriculum vitae: highlight academic qualifications, publications, work experience and technical skills;

• your academic transcripts from previous degrees;

• your research statement (optional if covered in the cover letter): outline past research experiences and future research interests;

• your references: contact details of 2–3 referees who can attest to your academic or professional capabilities;

• 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. Nikos Deligiannis at nikos.deligiannis@vub.be or on +32 (0)2 629 1683.

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.