Project Management Officer

1 - Working at the VUB

For almost 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and connectedness. These values are strongly present on our campuses, in our students as well as our staff. At the VUB, you’ll find a diverse collection of personalities: pure innovators and especially people who are 100% their authentic selves. With about 3.500 employees, we are the largest Flemish-speaking employer in Brussels, an international city with which we are all too happy to be connected, and around which our four campuses are located.

2 - Position Description

We are looking for a Project Management Officer to support two research groups: Mobilise, which focuses on sustainable mobility and logistics, and AMGC, a cross-disciplinary group studying earth sciences and planetary evolution. In this role, you will manage the daily operations, finances, and HR, ensuring the smooth progress of multiple research projects. 

About the Research Groups: 

Mobilise is part of the HOST research group, focusing on sustainable mobility and logistics. It analyzes transport behaviour, barriers to sustainable transport adoption, and assesses the impact of new mobility solutions on society, industry, urban planning, and equity. With over 30 interdisciplinary researchers, Mobilise conducts fundamental and applied research, innovation projects, and training. More at mobilise.research.vub.be. 

AMGC is an inter-faculty research group of 100+ experts in archaeology, geology, chemistry, and environmental science, studying past, present, and future changes of Earth and the Solar System. The research themes covered by AMGC relate to Planet Earth and its global evolution with a particular focus on the place and role of life in general (humans, animals, plants) together with interactions and reciprocal impacts between biotic and abiotic ecosystems. More at AMGC | documenting earth BIO-GEO-evolution. 

3 - Profile

Essential Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English (CEFR level C1 or above) and Dutch (preferably CEFR level C1).
• Strong organizational skills and ability to plan effectively to meet deadlines.
• High attention to detail, affinity with numbers, and proficiency in Excel.
• Proactive, eager to learn, and able to work independently.
• Skilled in analyzing, advising, and implementing improvements to simplify and optimize processes, promoting continuous improvement.
• Problem-solving mindset with willingness to jump in when needed.

Additional Strengths:

• Experience in project planning and financial/administrative management of academic R&D projects, such as Horizon Europe.
• Familiarity with the context of VUB or similar academic institutions and experience in larger (academic) teams.
• Knowledge of the Flemish, Belgian, and European funding landscape (e.g., FWO, VLAIO, Innoviris, FOD, Horizon Europe).
• Enthusiasm for working in an international, diverse environment.

VUB strives to reflect society, valuing everyone’s talents regardless of gender, age, religion, ethnicity, migration background, disability, or neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

We offer a full-time, permanent contract with a gross monthly salary tied to grade 7 or grade 8 (grade 7: €3617 - €5578, grade 8: €4102 - €6228). The position is immediately available, with the start date negotiable.

At VUB, you’ll be part of an open, inclusive, and diverse workplace that offers ample opportunities for career growth. Additionally, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options and a telework allowance of €50 per month
• A supportive work environment with a focus on work-life balance, featuring 35 days of leave (full-time), holiday closures between Christmas and New Year, plus 3 extra leave days
• Free hospitalisation insurance
• Full reimbursement for public transport or compensation for cycling commutes, as per VUB policy
• A broad selection of meals at attractive prices in our campus restaurants
• Excellent and affordable sports and exercise facilities, along with discounts through Benefits@Work (covering shops, flights, petrol, amusement parks, etc.) and Ecocheques
• Nearby nursery services and discounts on holiday camps
• Flexibility to shape your role and continuous learning opportunities through our VUB learning platforms and training courses
• And, most importantly: great colleagues with a motivated, collaborative spirit.

If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, we’d love to hear from you!

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of? 

Then apply, at the latest on December 1st via jobs.vub.be and be sure to provide  

• your CV; 

• your motivation letter in which you clearly indicate your preference for the position 

• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni). 

Do you have questions about the job content or selection procedure? Contact Koen Wouters (koen.wouters@vub.be) and/or Barbara Van Belle (Barbara.van.belle@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. 

6 - For office use

Regulation:

Contract: [[c_contractType]]

Head unit/faculty: Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences

FTE: 0.5

Function: Management Support

Pay grade group: [[Gradengroep]]

Recrutement type: