PhD Electromobility Research Centre

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 Engineering, Department Elektrotechniek en energietechniek, s looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains: 

The department ETEC is part of the Faculty of Engineering and a member of the MOBI – Electromobility Research Centre.

With more than 120 specialists, MOBI forms an interdisciplinary team with expertise ranging from electric and autonomous driving to innovative batteries, intelligent drive systems, energy management, power electronics, and charging infrastructure. We also develop knowledge on business planning and consumer behavior and study the integration of electric vehicles into energy communities and smart grids.

1. Research:

• Contribute to the research conducted within the ETEC department.
• Specialize in several of the following domains: electric vehicles, power electronics, energy management systems, drivetrains, charging infrastructure, energy storage, and the integration of electric vehicles into the power grid.
• Work independently on projects.
• Pursue a PhD.
• Present your work at international conferences and publish your research in reputable scientific journals.

2. Teaching:

• You will provide limited assistance to the coordination and supervision of exercises, practicals, and projects (WPO) for courses within the Bachelor of Engineering and the Master of Engineering in Mechanical-Electrical Engineering. The specific assignment is determined annually in consultation with the candidate. Some of these WPOs are in Dutch, and others in English.
• Participate in promotional activities for the department's programs (e.g., presence at info days or supervising spring or autumn camps) and possibly contribute to the department's daily administration by participating in councils and/or committees.

3. Outreach: Contribute to university activities aimed at student recruitment or present your research to a broad audience.

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 master’s degree in Engineering or Industrial Sciences, preferably with a specialization in Electromechanics and/or vehicle technology.

• You are fluent in English and Dutch, preferably at C1 level according to the CEFR.

• You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.

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 PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/11/2024. 

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

IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

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 15/07/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Joeri Van Mierlo at joeri.van.mierlo@vub.be or on +32 497 60 24 61.

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.