Tecnical Expert Fablab

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

The Fablab Brussels is the central workshop of the Engineering Technology department. It is open for all students and researchers of the VUB.

The Fablab offers access to 3D printers, laser cutters, manual mills and lathes, CNC-machines for wood and metal, a CNC plasma cutter, welders, electronic tools, a waterjet cutter and a supply of components and material for prototyping applications.
We are looking for an enthusiastic engineer to help us further develop the Fablab and support its users.

Your assignment includes:
•    Actively engaging in making the lab more professional;
•    Organizing trainings / workshops to teach students, researchers and visitors how to work with the machines;
•    Planning, execution and follow-up of maintenance of machines in the woodworking and metalworking workshop;
•    Offer technical support to students and researchers for their projects.
 

For this function, our Main Campus in Etterbeek will serve as your home base.

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• Required expertise and/or diplomas: expertise at a thinking and working level.
• You have an academic master degree in electromechanics, electronics or similar, or equivalent through experience.
• You have experience with CAD software (Inventor, KiCad ...).
• You have good technical knowledge of controls and mechatronics, CNC machines, electronics, 3D printing and control techniques.
• You have a feel for the practical side of the industrial engineer training and you want to help improve it.
• You are good with people and you have a strong motivation to support students, visitors and researchers in prototyping their projects.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills in Dutch (preferably) and English.
• You can work independently in a versatile work environment according to applicable rules and agreements.
• You are a good organiser.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague? You’ll be offered a temporary (till 30/09/2025 - possibility of extending) full-time contract at a salary linked to Grade 7, 8 or 9, depending on your competences and previous relevant work experience.

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’ll enjoy various benefits:

• Full reimbursement for your home-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, or compensation if you come by bike;
• Cost-free hospitalisation and group insurance with guaranteed income;
• The space to form your job content and continuously learn via VUB LRN;
• Excellent facilities for sport and exercise;
• Ecocheques;
• Delicious meals at attractive prices in our campus restaurants;
• An open, family-friendly work environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract).  

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of? Apply before 14/01/2025. Send us your CV, letter of motivation and the highest degree you’ve attained (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Your application will undergo various steps as follows:

• Step 1: CV screening by one of our recruiters.
• Step 2: A Practical exam; this is scheduled in the week of 13/01/2025 (although we reserve the right to change the date).
• Step 3: A final interview scheduled for 27/01/2025 (although we reserve the right to change the date).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Maximiliaan Frooninckx at Maxime.Frooninckx@vub.be

Do you have questions about the selection procedure? Contact Natasja Amys at Natasja.Amys@vub.be of 0470/49.38.60.

From 25/12/2024 to 1/01/2025, the VUB will be closed. During this week we cannot be reached. From 2/01/2025 we will answer your message as soon as possible. Happy holidays!

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB?

Go to www.jobs.vub.be and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.  

6 - For office use

Contract: temporary (till 30/09/2025 - possibility of extension)

Head unit/faculty: Faculty of Engineering

FTE: 1

Function: Technisch expert

Pay grade group: 7-8-9

Recrutement type: hiring