PhD scholarship in Agile and Future-proof Infrastructure for Transport

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, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

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

The Chair Agile and Future-Proof Infrastructure for Transport, led by Prof. Elvira Haezendonck at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is looking for a doctoral researcher who will contribute to interdisciplinary (technical - economical - policy) research in the domains of infrastructure for transport, sustainability, new investments, total cost of ownership, and socio-economic assessment. The goal is to complete a 4-year PhD based on the different research projects in which the researcher will take a lead in collaboration with the partners of the Chair, mainly Flemish administrations and organisations. 

The research and approach will be entirely embedded in the research projects of the Chair, and in line with the skills and background knowledge of the candidate. The topic of the PhD will be related to future-proof infrastructure investments and building on possible links to ongoing projects and research in Flanders and beyond. The researcher is expected to carry out the Chair’s research objective, being initially formulated as follows: 

The research chair aims to contribute to unraveling the multifaceted dimensions of an optimal public infrastructure strategy by delving into themes within these three core pillars: firstly, developing integrated assessment model(s) and scenario analyzes (incl. risks and criticality) that include the life cycle costs and benefits, taking into account factors such as (preventive and curative) maintenance, operational costs and also the end-of-life value. Secondly, exploring innovative strategies to make infrastructure future-proof or “agile” so that they can be incrementally adapted to future needs, taking into account evolving technological, environmental and social needs, ensuring longevity and better adaptability. Finally, addressing the complexity of integrated project challenges by exploring effective collaboration models, risk-sharing mechanisms and communication frameworks to improve coordination among public actors, and with all stakeholders. By addressing important research questions, this research initiative aims to pave the way for sustainable, resilient and cost-effective Flemish and Belgian road and waterway infrastructure for generations to come.

Tasks:

• The candidate will carry out academic research in the domains of public infrastructure strategy
• You will contribute to the implementation of research projects within the chair and together with the partners
• You will assist with and, after a learning period, lead the project management of the Chair and its activities
• You will write research reports and valorize research results in popular and academic publications
• You will present research results at workshops, conferences ans semninars etc within Belgium and abroad.
• You will contribute to public dissemination activities
• You will assist with the supervision of master's thesis students and other supporting tasks in the team

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 (Applied) Economics, Management Science, “Handelsingenieur”, International Business, or Civil Engineering (with a Management degree or willing to combine this one-year masters with the first year of the PhD-research) or equivalent.

   

  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. 

• Essential:
  • Demonstrated interest in infrastructure, sustainability and investment decisions
  • Excellent knowledge of Dutch (oral and written)
  • Strong oral and written communication skills in English
  • Very strong criticial writing skills in Dutch and English
  • The ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of partners
  • Good time management and planning skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines and work effectively under pressure
  • Good analytical skills with the support of statistical software
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other Office applications
  • Good qualitative and/or quantitative research skills
  • Knowledge of SPSS software or similar

• Additionally valued:
  • Expericens in working with Flemish or Belgian projects in infrastructure of policy.
  • Knowledge of the Belgian or European landscape of infrastructure and governance
  • Strong social skills to interact often with the operational partners of the project

• 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 01/02/2025. 

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 31/12/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni);
• contact details of 2 references;
• a short cover letter (max 500 words) expressing your specific interest in working on this Chair and pursuing a PhD;
• a sample of a publication or report preferably in English (or Dutch) that you had substantial contribution to (e.g. Master’s thesis or publication).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact prof. dr. Elvira Haezendonck at elvira.haezendonck@vub.be or on +32-2-6148381.

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.