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.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the science and knowledge service of the European Commission. It provides independent, evidence-based science and knowledge, supporting EU policies to positively impact society. The Directorate for Energy, Transport and Climate provides support to EU policies in the field of sustainable, safe, secure and efficient energy production, distribution and use. Fostering sustainable and efficient mobility in Europe and providing scientific and technical analyses in support to integrated air quality, climate and related policies are also in the area of activities.
The Battery and Hydrogen Technologies Unit of this Directorate is based in Petten (the Netherlands). These technologies are enablers of the transition towards less carbon-intensive and hydrogen-inclusive EU energy and transport systems, but it is important to assess their performance, sustainability and safety, to maximize their positive effects.
The Unit achieves its objectives by combining pre-normative experimental research and desktop analytical activities. It is directly involved in selected Commission energy, industrial, mobility and research and innovation policies.
2 - Position description
The Faculty of Engineering, Department Elektrotechniek en energietechniek, Research Group MOBI - Electromobility Research Centre is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant.
More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains:
Your PhD project will be jointly supervised by the VUB and the JRC of the European Commission in Petten, the Netherlands.
- First 12 months at VUB, followed by 24 months at JRC
- PhD defense at VUB
- Full-time scholarship for 12 months + Grant Holder contract for 24 months (subject to positive evaluation)
- Start date: 01/09/2025
- Conditions: enrollment in the VUB doctoral school is mandatory
You will be offered a full-time doctoral scholarship, linked to one of the salary scales established by the government, for a period of 12 months. This will be followed by a full-time Grant Holder 20 contract at the JRC (provided the doctoral activities are positively evaluated). The maximum duration is 36 months, with a planned start date of 01/09/2025.
Subject area: Lifetime extension of batteries. Development of smart and applicable tools and techniques.
- Experimental study of battery performance, durability, and safety
- Physics based modeling to characterize degradation mechanisms of Li-ion batteries in view of second lifeapplications
- Writing technical reports and scientific articles
- Attending national and international conferences
- Supervise bachelor and/or master student projects (if needed).
For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) and JRC in Petten (Netherlands) will serve as your home base.
3 - Profile
What do we expect from you?
- Master’s degree from an academic institution in Energy, Chemistry, Physics, and Electrical or Mechanical, or a relevant Engineering program.
- You must have proficient knowledge in at least one programming language (Matlab/Python) with a proven experience record.
• You are expected to know the market available Li-ion battery technologies.
• Experience with predictive model development is a plus.
• You need to either have the nationality of a Member State of the EU or a country associated with the Research Framework Programs or be resident in a Member State for at least five years.
• You should also have very good communication skills in English (a language proficiency certificate is required if at least one undergraduate degrees are not taught in English). - 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. 36 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/09/2025.
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.
The JRC Petten site is part of the Energy & Health Campus located 60 km North of Amsterdam in a natural reserve in the dunes on the Dutch coast. The JRC Petten has approximately 250 staff from across the EU; the working language is English.
You will be offered a contract of a minimum of 24 months at JRC. During your stay in Petten, you will be employed by the JRC as a Grantholder (GH) Category 20.
The working benefits are:
- Possibility for 1 day of teleworking/week;
- Gross salary € 42.339,96 and mobility allowance of € 600,-/month (taxable)
- Holidays according to Dutch legislation: 24 days/year, plus 18 public holidays incl. closure between Christmas and New Year;
- Complimentary company bus from Alkmaar and Amsterdam;
- Mandatory sickness insurance (ca. 150 €/month);
- A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
- Children from the age of 4 have free access to the European School in Bergen;
- Learning & Development courses available in agreement supervisor;
- Tax adviser and filing tax declarations paid by JRC;
- Access to JRC sports groups;
- Great colleagues with a high science spirit.ç
While the scientific work will be the clear priority, you will also gain insights into EU policy making.
5 - Interested?
Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?
Then apply, at the latest on 15/06/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:
- your brief CV (signed);
- comprehensive details of your academic portfolio;
- your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni)
- your transcripts and scores;
- two recommendation letters;
- your cover and motivation letter.
The JRC reserves the right to request additional documents in order to ensure compliance with all requirements and specific rules applicable to JRC sites.
You must also be recognized as medically fit to carry out the work activities foreseen. To this end you must undergo, in advance and independently, the medical checks specified by the JRC.
Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Maitane Berecibar at [email protected] or on +32 2 629 38 55.
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.
