Senior Researcher (Post-Doc) Assistant Professorship Physical AI Human-Centered Robotics

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 Social Sciences and Solvay Business School, Department Communication Sciences, research group Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher. 

More concretely your work package contains: 

We’re looking for a highly motivated and accomplished Senior Researcher (Post-Doc) to join SMIT and lead cutting-edge research in the field of Physical AI, with a specific focus on human-centered robotics and multi agent, human-machine interaction. This is a unique career opportunity combining a 100% project funded research position with a 10% part-time assistant professorship at VUB, and ample opportunities for setting up collaboration within imec and industry. 

The position is funded for a minimum of three years and is designed to support the successful candidate in building an academic career, growing a research portfolio, and as such, contributing to SMIT's strategic research agenda in Physical AI and responsible digital innovation. 

The Senior Researcher will work in close collaboration with colleagues at SMIT and the VUB, but also with imec, leveraging imec's world-class semi-conductor, AI and data research infrastructure, local and international industry and develop research partnerships.  

Research Focus 

Physical AI — the integration of artificial intelligence into physical systems such as robots, autonomous devices, and cyber-physical environments — is rapidly transforming industries, workplaces, and everyday life. This position sits at the intersection of AI, robotics, and human-machine interaction, with a strong emphasis on quantitative and data-driven research methodologies. 

As the Senior Researcher, you will investigate how people interact with, respond to, and co-exist with intelligent physical systems, multi agent systems addressing questions of usability, trust, ethics, inclusion, and societal (socio-economic) impact. Research will have both fundamental and applied dimensions, connecting to themes such as: 

• Business models and valorization pathways for Physical AI technologies;
• EU policy frameworks and innovation ecosystems for AI and robotics;
• Sustainability and circular innovation in robotics ecosystems;
• Human-robot interaction (HRI) and sociotechnical systems design;
• Behavioral data analysis, sensor data, and multimodal quantitative methods.

Your key responsibilities :

• Design and lead original, internationally competitive research in Physical AI and human-centered robotics, using rigorous quantitative and data-driven methodologies;
• Publish in high-impact international journals and present at leading academic conferences;
• Contribute to and lead applications for EU-funded research projects (ERC, Horizon Europe, EIC, etc.) and other competitive research funding;
• Supervise PhD students and junior researchers within SMIT, build your own team • Teach and co-teach courses as part of the 10% professorship at VUB (in English, International Master);
• Actively collaborate with colleagues at imec and within the broader SMIT and VUB network (Brubotics, VUB AI Lab, ETRO, Data Analytics Lab);
• Engage with industry partners, policymakers, and civil society stakeholders on Physical AI topics;
• Contribute to the strategic development of SMIT's research agenda and DGC’s and EDDI's positioning in the European research landscape;
• Represent VUB and SMIT at international conferences, workshops, and EU project meetings. 

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 PhD in Economics / Business Administration, Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or Human-Computer Interaction, or a closely related field;

• You have minimum 5 to 10 years of relevant academic or research experience (including PhD), with a strong and verifiable publication record;
• You have a demonstrated expertise in quantitative and data-driven research methodologies applied to human-machine interaction or related domains;
• You have a proven experience working on EU-funded research projects (e.g., FP7, H2020, Horizon Europe) — as participant, work package leader, or PI;
• You have a strong understanding of the European research and innovation landscape, including funding instruments, policy frameworks, and key stakeholders;
• You have a excellent academic writing and English communication skills — written and spoken — at the level required for high-impact publications and EU project deliverables;
• You have a demonstrated international research profile: international collaborations, affiliations, or periods of research stays abroad;
• You have a willingness and ability to relocate to Brussels;
• You show clear ambition to build an independent academic career in combination with applied research with industry.

Other highly valued assets are:

• Your interdisciplinary background combining (business) engineering or computer science with expertise in one or more of the following: social science, ethics, sustainability, innovation management, or business models;
• Your familiarity with physical AI systems, robotics platforms, or cyber-physical systems in applied research settings;
• Your experience in research valorization, including technology transfer, spin-offs, or industry collaboration;
• Your additional Knowledge of Dutch and/or French (working knowledge sufficient; full proficiency a strong plus);
• Your experience with grant writing and a track record of successfully acquired competitive funding;
• Your prior experience in teaching or supervision at university level.

• 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 contract, for an assignment of 1 FTE, for 36 months (extendable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/01/2027. 

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 30/11/2026, 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 SMIT HR at smit.jobs@vub.be or on 026148540.

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.