Postdoctoral Researcher Children's Rights and Online Child Sexual Abuse Investigations

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 Department Criminology, research group Crime & Society, is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher Children's Rights and Online Child Sexual Abuse Investigations. 

The Postdoctoral Researcher will work within the framework of the Horizon Europe research project entitled SALVUS (Ensuring  Safer Justice Outcomes in Online, including undercover, child sexual abuse investigations) under supervision of Dr. Rosamunde Van Brakel. The goal of the SALVUS project is  to address the current gaps in knowledge, best practice and legislative frameworks in relation to online, including undercover, CSA investigations and build on this and existing knowledge to develop a holistic suite of innovative recommendations, best practice guidance and training to remedy regional and national shortcomings. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the development of the SALVUS projects methodological, theoretical and empirical tasks and will be responsible for the coordination of research activities for which the VUB is responsible ensuring timely and high-quality outputs. In addition there will be space to develop own research. In addition to research the postdoctoral researcher is also expeted to provide minimal service to the department.  

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

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• PhD in Criminology, Socio-legal studies, Surveillance Studies or related social science discipline (to be defended at the latest 1 July 2025).

• Have an excellent international publication record that demonstrates independence as a researcher. You have a strong theoretical and empirical profile consistent with the research in the Crime & Society Research Group - https://cris.research.vub.be/en
• Interest in digital criminology
• Have a proven track record and demonstrable experience in the domain of children's rights and the use of technology in criminal justice and/or policing
• You have demonstrable experience in qualitative (interviews, focus groups) methodologies and analysis
• Excellent written and spoken language skills in English
• Creative mindset
• Have the ability to work both independently and in a multi-disciplinary and international  team 
• Work in a meticulous way and be able to manage deadlines
• Interest in working together with law enforcement and civil society

The following expertise is considered a plus:

• Experience in coordination of a research project and /or projectmanagement
• Research experience in the area of online police investigations of child sexual abuse and/or digital forensics
• Experience in co-creation and participatory (action) research
• Knowledge of and experience with (socio-)legal research
• Previous research experience on a EU Horizon project

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 contract, for an assignment of 1 FTE, for 18 months with planned starting date at the latest 15 August 2025. 

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

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 09/05/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV (including contact details for 2 references and a copy of one of your publications in English all in one PDF)
• your motivation letter (maximum 3 pages including a short research statement);
• your diplomas (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Dr. Rosamunde Van Brakel at rosamunde.van.brakel@vub.be 

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.