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, Research Group Architectural Engineering Sciences is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant.
More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains:
We are looking for a full-time doctoral candidate for an interdisciplinary research project on the development of bio-cemented mycelium-based composites. The project responds to the growing need for sustainable, circular and bio-based materials for the construction sector. Mycelium-based composites, consisting of fungal hyphae that bind natural lignocellulosic fibres, offer promising properties such as low weight, thermal insulation, acoustic absorption and biodegradability. However, their use is currently mainly limited to non-structural applications, as their mechanical properties remain insufficient for load-bearing or semi-structural use.
This PhD project investigates how the mechanical properties of mycelium-based composites can be improved through bio-cementation. The central hypothesis is that microbial mineralisation can lead to the formation of calcium-based crystals in or on the mycelium network, creating a reinforcing matrix that increases the strength and stiffness of the composite material.
You will work within an interdisciplinary VUB research team focusing on mycelium-based materials, microbiology and sustainable construction materials, which operates on the interface between the Architectural Engineering Research Group and the Research Group of Microbiology (Department of Bioengineering Sciences). The project requires a combination of microbiological experimentation, material production, chemical and microscopic characterisation and mechanical testing. You will develop protocols for the growth and bio-cementation of mycelium-based composites, study the influence of growth conditions and process parameters and evaluate the resulting materials in terms of their mechanical performance.
You will also, to a limited extend, contribute to teaching activities within the Architectural Engineering department. You will guide students in exercise sessions, practicals, and/or student projects. The specific teaching assignment will be determined annually in consultation with you.
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 biotechnology, bioengineering sciences, materials science, architectural engineering, chemical engineering or a related field;
- You are a motivated junior researcher with a proven interdisciplinary profile or strong interdisciplinary interest;
- You are motivated to conduct research and complete a PhD within a 4-year timeframe;
- You show an interest in sustainable materials, bio-based construction materials and mycelium-based processes;
- You have practical laboratory skills and a precise experimental working attitude;
- You have a basic knowledge of or experience with microbiological techniques and fungal/bacterial cultivation;
- You have experience with one of more of the following techniques/topics is an asset: mycelium-based composites, microbially induced calcite precipitation, SEM-EDX, FTIR, microscopy, mechanical testing of materials, statistical analysis, 3D printing, mould development and prototyping;
- You have analytical thinking skills and the ability to critically interpret complex experimental data;
- You have a curious and open mindset, interested in learning new skills and disciplines;
- You are a team player who is able to work in an interdisciplinary team;
- You have good written and oral communication skills in English;
- 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.
- 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 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 01/11/2026.
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 31/08/2026, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:
- your CV;
- your motivation letter;
- your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).
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 Lars De Laet at [email protected] or on 0032 2 6292830.
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.
