PhD candidate Mechanics of Materials and Constructions

Organisation/Company Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Engineering » Electrical engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Engineering » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 7 Sep 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for f
reedom, 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
Faculty of Engineering
, Department Mechanica van materialen en constructies
, Research Group No Large Research Group
is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant
.

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

The MeMC Department within the Faculty of Engineering at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is seeking a full-time PhD candidate. Your research will align with the key research themes of the Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures (M²S) research group, including advanced characterisation and monitoring of materials and structures, mechanics-driven design and optimisation of high-performance and sustainable materials and structures, and adaptive and multifunctional material systems.

You are motivated to conduct high-quality research and complete a PhD within a four-year period. Based on your own strengths and research interests, you will work together with your supervisors to develop a PhD project closely aligned with the research activities of M²S. You will present your research at international conferences, build an international network of experts in your field, and publish your research findings in leading academic and scientific journals.

To a limited extent, your appointment will also involve coordinating and supervising exercise sessions, laboratory sessions, and project-based learning activities associated with courses taught by the MeMC Department. The exact teaching assignment will be determined annually in consultation with you and your colleagues. Some of these educational activities are conducted in Dutch, while others are taught in English.

You will also contribute to promotional activities for the programmes offered by the department (e.g. participation in VUB Information Days and SID-IN events) and may support the day-to-day management of the department by serving on departmental councils and/or committees. You can work both independently and as part of a team. You are open-minded, communicative, and collaborative in your interactions with colleagues.

You actively contribute to the overall functioning and practical organisation of the department. You will join a team that strongly values collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a supportive onboarding process.

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 Sciences:
  Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering or Electromechanical Engineering (or an equivalent qualification).
• You are fluent…