Postdoctoral scholarship Organic Chemistry

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 Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Department Chemistry, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a grant. 

More concretely your work package, for the validation of your doctoral research, contains: 

Your work will deal with the development of novel ligands targeting G protein-coupled receptors, as well as other extra- and intracellular target proteins and subsequent fragment-based drug discovery.

You will be responsible the design and synthesis of peptide-based ligands, including the organic synthesis of custom amino acids, solidphase chemistry or any other chemical modifications as required.

You will lead discussions that guide the design and optimization process of these ligands.

Outside of your research activities, you will also assist in the supervision of Master-level and predoctoral students.

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

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• Doctoral degree in Sciences or (Bio)Medical Sciences

• Experience in experimental research.
• Experience with solid-phase peptide synthesis is a plus.
• Publication history in international peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.
• A good working knowledge of English is essential.
• Minimal experience in supervising students.
• Dynamic and flexible approach to work with an eye for accuracy.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills (oral and written).

• You stayed abroad for at least 12 months of the 3 years preceding the start date, and during this period you did not work or study in Belgium. However, during these 12 months, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare your stay as a postdoctoral researcher.

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 postdoctoral scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 36 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/03/2025. 

You’ll receive a grant 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 15/02/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV with full publication list;
• your motivation letter;
• a letter of recommendation from your former principal investigator/PhD promotor
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Steven Ballet at steven.ballet@vub.be or on 026293292.

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.