PhD Position - Doctoral research at Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Belgique; On-site; EUR 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Hybrid work model

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Brussel's FYSC lab invites applications for two PhD researchers in Sustainable Materials Engineering. You will conduct original research in physical chemistry and polymer science, focusing on structure–processing–property relationships in polymeric materials.

You will design and perform experiments, operate advanced characterization techniques, and contribute to publications and conferences.

Qualifications

• Master degree completed in chemical engineering, chemistry, bioengineering, or materials science.
• Strong knowledge in physical chemistry, polymer science, or materials science.
• Experience with polymer synthesis and characterization techniques.
• Fluency in English, with strong written and oral communication.
• Ability to work independently and in a team in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Experience with MATLAB or COMSOL is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform experiments in physical chemistry and polymer science.
• Operate advanced characterization techniques including thermal analysis.
• Analyze data and interpret structure–processing–property relationships.
• Collaborate with team members and external partners.
• Contribute to publications, conference presentations and project reports.
• Participate in group meetings and supervise students in the lab.
• Engage with international research networks.

Skills

Master's degree in chemicalEngineering

Polymer science knowledge

Physical chemistry knowledge

Materials characterization

Data analysis / statistics

Lab experience

English fluency

Team player

Independent problem solving

Programming / data tools (MATLAB, COMS

Education

Master degree in chemical engineering

Master degree in chemistry

Master degree in bioengineering

Master degree in materials engineering

Tools

Thermal analysis equipment

Spectroscopy

Rheology

Microscopy

Job description

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Organisation/Company Vrije Universiteit Brussel Department Materials and Chemistry (MACH) Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Engineering » Chemical engineering Biological sciences » Biological engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 22 Oct 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 16 Nov 2026 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

Offer Description

The Physical Chemistry and Polymer Science (FYSC) laboratory is part of the Sustainable Materials Engineering (SUME) research group within the Faculty of Engineering at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). FYSC conducts both fundamental and applied research in materials science, focusing on structure–processing–property relationships in synthetic, bio-based, and natural polymers to develop sustainable, high-performance materials. The group has extensive physicochemical analytical capabilities, with a strong emphasis on advanced and prototype thermal analysis methods for polymer-based materials. FYSC collaborates with academic and industrial partners on novel macromolecular materials for applications such as advanced polymeric systems, coatings, composites, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and offshore industries. Its research activities are organized around three pillars: thermophysical and chemical characterization of polymers, renewable energy materials, and non-traditional cements. is actively recruiting two PhD researchers on two nationally funded projects.

• RESSURG develops the technologies necessary to create more realistic surgical training models. The PhD student will enter a dynamic team, where they will intensively collaborate with all team members with their respective specialisations. The PhD student will develop a new generation of self-healing polymers that mimic the mechanical behaviour of natural tissues.
• MOSA-PUR looks at a more efficient chemical recycling process for polyurethanes. The PhD student will study the chemical recycling reactions together with together with researchers at the university of Antwerp and provide experimental validation for modelling of the polyurethane degradation reactions together with the universities of Ghent and Groningen.

Job Description

The doctoral researcher (PhD) will conduct original research in physical chemistry and polymer science, contributing to one or more of SUME’s core research pillars. Day-to-day tasks include designing and performing experiments, operating thermal analysis and other characterization techniques, analyzing data, and interpreting results in the context of structure–processing–property relationships. The role involves working with polymer-based materials, collaborating with team members and external partners, and contributing to the objectives of the respective projects, publications, conference presentations, and project reports. The researcher will participate in group meetings, assist with supervision of students in the lab, and engage with international research networks. This is a full-time, on-site role located in the Brussels Metropolitan Area. Both research projects require the doctoral researcher to perform their tasks to achieve common ambitions and enable the researcher to work in a very interdisciplinary environment.

• You will support ongoing research or explore new research opportunities together with doctoral students and/or postdocs on topics such as:
  • Bio-derived alternatives or natural polymeric materials
  • Self-healing materials
  • Recycling of reversible polymer networks (elastomers, thermosets and composites)
  • Non-traditional cement, concrete and composites
  • Application of the above material technologies in various applications
• Typical research tasks may include:
  • Synthesis and development of new polymeric materials;
  • Chemical analysis and characterization of the synthesized/produced polymers;
  • Unravelling how the structure/composition of materials affects their properties;
  • Optimization of the relevant properties for certain applications;
  • Improvement of existing processing techniques and/or development of new processing and manufacturing techniques in view of intended applications;
  • Testing of product performance, in relation to the material properties;
  • Techno-economical or lifecycle analysis of material synthesis, production, application and end-of-life;

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Biomaterial engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering » Chemical engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• You have a master degree concluded your first year of a Master’s degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, bioengineering, materials science or similar studies.
• Advanced knowledge in physical chemistry, polymer science, or materials science. Knowledge of network (de)polymerisation is a great advantage.
• Experience with experimental work in a chemical laboratory and materials characterization, such as thermal analysis, spectroscopy, rheology, or microscopy, and the ability to handle laboratory instrumentation safely and accurately.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including data processing, statistical evaluation, and critical interpretation of experimental results.
• Ability to design and optimize experiments, solve technical and scientific problems independently, and document methods and findings systematically.
• You are fluent in English: Effective written and oral communication skills in English with colleagues and peers, for reports, scientific publications, and presentations; willingness to engage in an international and interdisciplinary research environment.
• You are a team player: Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work in a diverse research team, interact with academic and industrial partners, and contribute to joint project goals.
• You are motivated, reliable and result-oriented. Motivation to deeply understand a research topic, its theoretical state of the art and to pursue novelty in the field. Strong scientific curiosity, and readiness to learn new techniques and concepts in polymer science and innovate its applications.
• Experience with programming or data analysis tools (e.g., MATLAB, COMSOL) are a plus.

At FYSC, you will enter a dynamic, international and multi-cultural environment that excels in the development, characterization and study of polymeric materials, both organic and inorganic to unravel the structure-processing-property relations and the exploitation thereof to improve the material properties for a wide range of applications. The work ranges from fundamental research to academic and industrial collaborations, and the FYSC research group collaborates with a large number of academic and industrial partners.