PhD in first-time-right design tools for multi-optics imaging systems

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 Toegepaste natuurkunde en fotonica, Research Group Brussels Photonics is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

The PhD project focuses on the development of first-time-right design tools for multi-optics imaging systems, to be implemented in harsh condition vision applications.

In modern perception, navigation and quality inspection applications, the demand for advanced optical vision systems has grown significantly. Current state-of-the-art vision systems face three main technological barriers: operation within a limited spectral range, with a limited dynamic range or polarization diversity. Operation in harsh conditions or challenging environments is therefore often very challenging.

In this PhD, you will contribute to research that explores how to design compact, cost-effective and robust multi-optics imaging systems (i.e. combining multiple optical channels onto a single sensor) which can address these issues. The goal is to create a flexible toolbox for designing such multi-optics, broadband imaging systems and to develop a methodology to assemble optical modules with high dynamic range, multi-polarization and spectrally broadband imaging capabilities. These novel multi-optics vision systems will be validated on generic use cases in product inspection and navigation. You will also closely collaborate with researchers taking care of establishing an AI-based image and video processing pipeline dedicated to these novel multi-optics systems.   

This PhD research is embedded in the project HARMONY_SBO, funded by Flanders Make, the Flemish strategic research center for the manufacturing industry. Several companies are involved in the user group of the project. The goal of this strategic basic research project with 48 month duration is to design harsh-condition aware robust multi-optics imaging systems and validate them in product inspection and navigation applications. As a PhD researcher, you will work in an interdisciplinary team of optical engineers, system engineers and AI researchers, with access to state-of-the-art simulation tools, design software, and prototyping infrastructure.

You will join the Brussels Photonics (B-PHOT) large research group of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium, www.b-phot.org. Chaired by Prof. H. Thienpont, the team composed of more than 45 internationally recognized researchers is widely known for its work in fundamental and applied photonics research covering the entire research cycle from modelling and fabrication, to characterization and proof-of-concept demonstration. In the last 20 years, the group has built significant expertise in the field of "first-time-right" design of freeform-optics-based optical systems for various practical and industrial applications. You will therefore have the opportunity to contribute to the field in a multidisciplinary setting.

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 in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics or a related scientific field. Interest in photonics and optical systems is necessary.

  Candidates that have not yet acquired their master’s degree can apply and participate in the selection procedure, but need to offer proof of registration in their Masters programme and need to have complied with all diploma requirements before starting their position at VUB.

• Knowledge about photonics and optical design is required; knowledge of opto-mechanics, polarization filtering or spectral filtering is a strong plus;
• Good knowledge of numerical techniques and advanced computational simulation methods, in particular ray-tracing, is required;
• Good programming skills are a strong plus. Experience with Python or a similar languages and AI-based tools is a plus;
• Knowledge of CAD/CAE is a plus but no strict requirement;
• You are expected to have interest in working on the interface between photonics, engineering and data-driven design;
• You are expected to be able to carry out the research activities independently and in a critical manner, whilst having excellent communication skills and a positive attitude towards collaboration;
• Good time management skills are a must, along with the ability to meet tight deadlines and work efficiently;
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English (typically CEFR level C1 or equivalent) is required. You will have the opportunity to take evening English classes to improve your language skills if needed;
• You should be prepared to travel in Europe and potentially worldwide e.g. for participation in conferences.

• 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 01/11/2026. 

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 23/09/2026, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• 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 Jürgen Van Erps at jurgen.van.erps@vub.be or on +32497800794.

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.