PhD scholarship in sustainable urban logistics

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, Research Group House of Sustainable Transitions is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

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

We are looking for an excellent candidate with a Master’s degree to conduct research in the field of sustainable urban logistics.

Role: You will work within the interdisciplinary Mobilise team, which is part of the House of Sustainable Transitions (HOST), a research group and network that brings together sustainability research at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).

Responsibilities: You will work on a four-year FWO-funded project in which you will be responsible for mapping transport demand in Brussels. The aim is to approach this in an innovative way in order to achieve improved results. You will develop expertise spanning several domains, including transport and logistics, sustainability, economics and statistics. You will also collect data independently, conduct surveys and organise workshops with companies, policymakers and academics, under the supervision of two academic promoters. In addition, you will participate in international conferences and learn how to publish your research findings and communicate them to a broader audience in order to maximise their societal and economic impact.

Within the Mobilise team, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and take part in team activities and training sessions. 

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 Sociology, Mathematics, Economics, Management, Business Engineering, Geography, Transport, Urban Planning, Political Science or a related discipline. Candidates who have not yet obtained their Master’s degree may apply and take part in the selection procedure, but must provide proof of enrolment in their Master’s programme and must have fulfilled all degree requirements before commencing the position.

• You have a strong interest in logistics and sustainability.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and French are essential. A good knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
• You are able to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• You possess strong time management and planning skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines and work effectively under pressure.
• You have a good knowledge of Microsoft Excel and statistics. Knowledge of additional software (e.g. RStudio, SPSS, MATLAB, etc.) and solid knowledge of GIS are considered assets.

• 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 01/05/2026. 

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 22/03/2026, 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 Prof. Dr. Koen Mommens at koen.mommens@vub.be or on +32 (0)2 614 83 76.

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.