PhD Re-building Brussels (1695-2025)

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 Architectural Engineering, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

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

We are currently looking for a doctoral candidate to conduct interdisciplinary research on material flows and the role of the Brussels construction sector in the urban metabolism. The research focuses on the development of material flows from around 1800 to today. From an interdisciplinary perspective, you will map the full life cycle of specific materials such as wood, brick, concrete, and natural stone – from raw material extraction and production to use and waste management. You will analyze how these material flows have evolved, as well as their impact in material, ecological, financial, labor, and social terms, to provide a comprehensive picture of the construction sector as a defining actor in the urban environment. This includes local sources, such as the Sonian Forest, as well as the involvement of overseas investors.

The research is part of the interdisciplinary research project ‘Re-building Brussels (1695-2025): The construction sector as an engine for social inclusion and circularity,’ a collaboration between the research groups VUB Architectural Engineering, Social History of Capitalism, and Cosmopolis: Centre for Urban Research. During your research, you will work closely with other PhD students focusing on the history of (de)construction & reuse, the history of labor market inclusion in the Brussels construction sector, and the spatial integration of the circular building economy in the Brussels landscape.

• You will conduct research with the aim of obtaining a doctoral degree. The PhD project will be supervised by the research groups VUB Architectural Engineering and Social History of Capitalism;

• You will present your research at international conferences, build a (international) network of experts in the field, and publish the research results in academic and scientific journals;

• As an assistant, you will support teaching within the relevant department(s). You will organize and coordinate exercises, practicals, and projects. The language of instruction is both Dutch and English;

• Your specific assignment will be determined annually in consultation with you;

• You will actively contribute to the general operation and practical organization of the department, participate in promotional activities (e.g., open days), and assist in the daily management of the department by joining councils and/or committees.

This vacancy specifically targets young talent (without paid scientific research experience) willing to apply for externally funded research grants (FWO or others).

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• At the start of the appointment, you hold a degree in MSc Engineering Sciences: Architecture, MA Architecture, MA History, MSc Geography, MSc Urban Studies, MSc Urban Planning and Spatial Planning (or equivalent)

• You are motivated to conduct research and complete a PhD within a 4-year timeframe;

• You are a team player, but can also work independently;

• You are proficient in Dutch and English (writing, reading, speaking) and have a good command of French (reading);

• A solid knowledge of construction history, urban development, ecological history, economic geography, or the Brussels construction sector is a significant advantage.

• 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 01/02/2025. 

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.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 15/11/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter (max. 1 page);
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni);
• your vision for the doctoral research, including its integration into the broader research project ‘Re-building Brussels’ (max. 2 pages, see www.vub.be/arch/project/rebuildingbrussels). 

Please keep Monday morning, November 25, 2024, free in your schedule for a possible interview.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Stephanie Van de Voorde at Stephanie.Van.de.Voorde@vub.be or on 0486 76 84 57.

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.