PhD Position

Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Homeworking options

Telework allowance 50 euros/month

Internet fee 20 euros/month

35 days leave (fulltime)

Hospitalisation insurance

Commuting reimbursement

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Brussel invites applications for a PhD-scholarship in the Center for Medical Genetics. The role focuses on developing cutting-edge genomic methods for diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities in early IVF embryos.

The Brussels Health Campus (Jette) will serve as the home base for your doctoral work. You will join a diverse, open environment with extensive homeworking options, a strong focus on learning, and a guaranteed fully funded, 12-month scholarship extendable up to 48 months

Qualifications

• MSc in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering or related field.
• Excellent interest in large-scale genomic data analysis and hands-on genome analysis experience.
• Proficient in R or Python and able to work independently in a multidisciplinary team.
• Familiar with Linux and HPC environments; good written and spoken English.

Education

MSc in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

Linux

High-Performance Computing

R

Python

Job description

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.

The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department Observational Clinical Sciences, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant.

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

The Center for Medical Genetics is one of the eight accredited Centers for Human Genetics in Belgium. This center provides genetic counseling, performs genomic diagnostics, and conducts scientific research. The Center for Medical Genetics has developed specific expertise in reproductive genetics and preimplantation genetic diagnosis and plays a leading role in these fields on a global scale. By optimizing new methods using the latest sequencing technologies we aim to improve patient care and stay at the forefront in the PGT-field.

We are looking for a curious, self-driven PhD candidate who wants to develop cutting-edge technologies for diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities in early IVF embryos.

For this function, our Brussels Health Campus (Jette) will serve as your home base.

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

You hold a MSc (or equivalent) in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (degree completed by the start date);

• You show a proven interest in large-scale genomic data analysis (course projects, internship or thesis count);
• You have programming skills in R or Python;
• You have the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team; good written and spoken English;
• You can rely on your hands-on experience with genome analysis;
• You have a background in statistics, machine learning or data visualisation;
• You are familiar with Linux and high-performance computing environments;
• 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, for12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date15/11/2026.

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.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS VACANCY?

You can contact the person mentioned in the job description.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Pieter Verdyckat [e-mail] on [phone].