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 Faculteit Psychologie & Educatiewetenschappen, Department Educatiewetenschappen, research group Brussels Research Centre on Innovation in Learning and Diversity, is looking for a predoctoral researcher.
More concretely your work package contains:
- You will conduct research within the BILD research group in the field of parental involvement, self-regulated learning and technology-supported learning. You will explore how these elements influence the learning process in contemporary educational environments. The final definition of the research topic will be determined by mutual agreement between you and the supervisor, Prof. Valérie Thomas;
- You are willing to prepare and submit a research proposal as an FWO fundamental research fellow during the year of appointment, in February 2027;
- You will contribute to the organisation of meetings, research activities and other tasks related to your research project;
- You will also contribute to the functioning of the BILD research group and the Department of Educational Sciences by participating in academic activities and taking on limited administrative, organisational and teaching-related tasks, such as supervising master’s theses;
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, completed before the start date of the position, in Educational Sciences, with excellent study results.
- You have knowledge of the research domain of educational innovation, with a focus on self-regulated learning, technology-supported education and/or the role of contextual factors such as parental involvement. You are familiar with the main methodological and theoretical approaches in this domain, for example through courses taken during your prior education or through practical experience;
- You have a strong background in both quantitative and qualitative research techniques;
- You endorse the basic philosophy and educational vision of Vrije Universiteit Brussel;
- You have active knowledge of English, and possibly Dutch;
- You are able to work independently and in a planned manner, as well as collaborate within a research team;
- 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 0.5 FTE, for 12 months (extendable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/10/2026.
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 14/08/2026, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:
- your motivation letter; mention both your specific research interest and how it connects with ongoing research within the BILD research group (https://bild.research.vub.be), and explain how you meet the criteria in the vacancy and why you should be considered for this position;
- a brief research proposal of approximately 1,500 words, providing a detailed overview of the doctoral research you wish to carry out, including theoretical background, research design and methodology;
- your CV, including an overview of your studies, work, relevant experience and any publications;
- your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni);
- the names and contact details of two referees, such as an academic supervisor or employer, who can testify to your academic trajectory and personal character;
- an example of your academic writing, such as a chapter from your master’s thesis or a recent publication;
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 prof. dr. Valérie Thomas at [email protected].
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.
