PhD Position

Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Jette; Sur place; EUR 23 000 - 29 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Homeworking options

Telework allowance 50 EUR/month

35 days of leave

Nursery near campus

Public transport reimbursement

Résumé du poste

Vrije Universiteit Brussel seeks a self-driven PhD candidate to develop cutting-edge diagnostic technologies for chromosomal abnormalities in early IVF embryos. The position is based at Brussels Health Campus (Jette) as home base, with a full-time PhD scholarship for 12 months, extendable up to 48 months, starting 15/11/2026.

You will join the Center for Medical Genetics, work in a collaborative environment, and benefit from extensive training opportunities and a diverse workplace.

Qualifications

• MSc in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biomedical Sciences, CS, Engineering, or related field completed by start date.
• Proven interest in large-scale genomic data analysis (projects/internship/thesis).
• Programming skills in R or Python.

Responsabilités

• Develop cutting-edge diagnostic technologies for chromosomal abnormalities in early IVF embryos.
• Contribute to genome analysis research at the Center for Medical Genetics under PhD supervision.

Connaissances

R

Python

Genome analysis

Statistics

Machine learning

Data visualization

Linux HPC

Independent work

English proficiency

Formation

MSc in Bioinformatics / related field

Outils

R

Python

Description du poste

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, ourBrussels 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.

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 Pieter Verdyckat [e-mail] on [phone].

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.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS VACANCY?

You can contact the person mentioned in the job description.