R&D Expert Construction Automation & Building Envelopes

As a leading European research centre, VITO brings together more than 1,300 employees to translate scientific insights into technological innovations, AI-driven solutions, and policy advice with real societal impact. Our mission is clear: to create a sustainable and promising future for our world. Join us in making this vision a reality!

The group for Construction Robotics and Innovative Building Envelopes (CRIB) at VITO is dedicated to advancing sustainable and industrialised construction. Our primary objective is to develop next‑generation building envelope systems, supported by innovative design methodologies, robotics, and digital construction workflows.

We coordinate and contribute to high‑impact Flemish and European R&I projects in industrial renovation and construction innovation, such as RENOMIZE, SOLMATE, oPEN Lab, and FRAIMwork.

Within these projects, we develop innovative prefabricated façade systems, automated construction processes, and robotics solutions for the built environment.

Our team is equipped with the THOREAQ lab infrastructure, which includes real‑scale twin buildings for A‑B testing of novel construction systems and components, a robotic workshop for system development and prototyping, and – to be complemented by fall 2026 – a fully instrumented outdoor construction lab for demonstration and implementation of robotic construction solutions.

Through our active involvement in applied R&I projects and strategic collaborations with industrial and academic partners, CRIB contributes to a more climate‑resilient, affordable, and circular built environment.

To strengthen our research coordination and strategic innovation activities, we are looking for a R&D Expert Construction Automation & Building Envelopes to join our interdisciplinary team.

As R&D Expert Construction Automation & Building Envelopes, you will play a central role in further developing and steering the innovation roadmap of the CRIB team. Working at the intersection of research, technology development, and valorisation, you will help steer the team’s future direction in domains such as industrialisation of building renovation workflows, advanced building envelopes, on‑site construction robotics, and digital construction.

You will work closely with researchers, business developers, industry partners, and external stakeholders to translate ambitious ideas into impactful innovation trajectories.

• Coordinate and further strengthen the CRIB strategic innovation roadmap together with the team, informed by emerging technologies, industrial needs, and market opportunities
• Identify emerging technological opportunities and translate them into impactful research and innovation directions with long‑term industrial relevance
• Connect exploratory research, applied innovation, and valorisation opportunities across the CRIB portfolio
• Remain actively involved in research and innovation projects as a senior researcher, innovation lead, or project coordinator
• Coordinate proposal‑writing activities aligned with the strategic roadmap and long‑term positioning of the team, aiming for a portfolio of regional, national and European funded projects
• Build and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations across VITO, Energy Ville, research, industry, and public stakeholders
• Support the development and operation of strategic research infrastructure, physical test and validation environment (including the Thoreaq facilities), and digital innovation platforms
• Provide strategic guidance and expert support to the CRIB team members
• Contribute to the visibility and positioning of CRIB within Flemish and European innovation ecosystems
• Stimulate knowledge transfer, scientific dissemination, IP generation and valorisation, and cross‑project collaboration within the research portfolio
• Contribute to the long‑term growth and strategic positioning of the CRIB team

• A portfolio demonstrating relevant building envelope, robotics, or construction innovation projects
• Experience with prefabrication, digital fabrication, additive manufacturing, or construction robotics
• Experience in multi‑objective façade design, integrating thermal, structural,…