JRC-VUB PhD Scholarship in Battery Characterization and Modeling

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 Elektrotechniek en energietechniek, 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 Faculty of Engineering, Department Elektrotechniek en energietechniek, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 
More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains: 
•    Experimental study of battery performance, durability, and safety.
•    Physics-based holistic prediction tool development for electric vehicle (EV) and Light Means of Transport (LMT; E-Bikes, E-Scooters, etc.) battery technologies. 
•    Provide input to secondary legislation for battery performance and durability.
•    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) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• You must have a 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 should also have very good communication skills in English (both oral and written).
•    You should have the ability to carry out tasks both independently and within a team.
•    You should, prior to the start of the employment contract with the JRC:

• have the nationality of a Member State of the EU or a country associated to the Research Framework Programmes or being resident in a EU Member State for at least five years (1) and
• be enrolled in a PhD programme with VUB. 

Candidates who are already enrolled in the doctoral study program with VUB for fewer than 12 months can also be considered eligible. 
The selected candidate will have no more than 6 months from the request for confirmation of interest in the position, to produce proof of enrolment in the doctoral study program.

The JRC reserves the right to request additional documents in order to ensure compliance with all requirements and specific rules applicable to JRC sites.
The selected candidate must also be recognized as medically fit to carry out the work activities foreseen. To this end the candidate must undergo, in advance and independently, the medical checks specified by the JRC.
 

(1)  Including Directive (EU) 2016/801 of 11 May 2016 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pairing.

• 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 01/07/2024. 

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 30/04/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Md Sazzad Hosen en Maitane Berecibar at md.sazzad.hosen@vub.be and maitane.berecibar@vub.be or on None.

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.