Researcher

Royal Military Academy, Belgium; Brussel Hoofdstad; Sur place; EUR 60 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Holiday pay

End-of-year bonus

Bike allowance / transportation

Résumé du poste

Royal Military Academy in Brussels invites applications for a full-time researcher in weapon systems and ballistics. The role focuses on CUAS-Predict and Visualize, conducting university-level research within ABAL and collaborating with CISS.

You will develop models for detection, neutralization, and collateral damage assessment, with emphasis on probabilistic approaches. The position welcomes both junior (0–3 years) and experienced (≥3 years) profiles, and requires a master’s degree in

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or closely related discipline.
• Experience in numerical modelling and simulation of mechanical/aerodynamic/ballistic problems.
• Experience with drones, C-UAS systems or weapon-system performance modeling.
• Proficiency in producing technical/scientific documents.

Responsabilités

• Perform state-of-the-art research on C-sUAS effectors and gather data for models.
• Develop or upgrade effector models and input parameters.
• Implement probabilistic neutralisation with uncertainty handling.
• Model non-kinetic effects and collateral damage considerations.
• Map environments and input parameters for 3D simulations and validation.

Connaissances

Numerical modelling

Ballistics

Drone/C-UAS systems

3D simulation (Blender/TAK)

Probabilistic modelling

Technical writing

English proficiency

Formation

Master’s degree in engineering (Applied Sciences / Engineering Sciences)

Outils

Blender

TAK

Description du poste

In the framework of the study “CUAS-Predict and Visualize” (CUAS P&V), we are looking for a full‑time researcher in weapon systems, ballistics, electrical, mechanical or aerospace engineering with a master’s degree in electromechanical engineering (Applied Sciences / Engineering Sciences) or equivalent.

The Royal Military Academy is fully recognized as a university, fulfilling the same criteria as civilian universities. The RMA is also conducting scientific research at university level for projects funded by the Belgian Defense department or external sources.

We value diversity and equal opportunities. Whether you are a man, a woman or X, or come from any background, we firmly believe that diversity enriches our community, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

PROJECT

You work within the Department of Weapon Systems and Ballistics (ABAL) of the Royal Military Academy, and in close collaboration with the Department Communication, Information, Systems and Sensors (CISS). You conduct scientific research at university level on a project entitled 'CUAS P&V'.

Since their initial deployment in conflicts, UAS have been used across an increasing range of conflict scenarios. In response to this growing threat, a wide range of counter-sUAS (C-sUAS) technologies have been developed or are under development. There is consequently a need for a decision‑support tool to identify the most appropriate C-sUAS solutions for specific operational scenarios. Such a tool should offer predictive capabilities to assess system effectiveness, risks, and limitations based on context, threat type, and potential collateral damage. It would streamline procurement by enabling objective comparisons of available technologies and support strategic deployment by optimizing the positioning of detection and neutralization assets through scenario‑based modelling and simulation.

In this project, a software will be developed to predict and visualise the effectiveness of C-sUAS solutions along the whole kill‑chain. Developed models will include state‑of‑the‑art detection and neutralization means and depict the potential collateral damage linked to their use.

MAIN TASKS

• Perform and maintain a state of the art research on C-sUAS effectors (small calibre kinetic, airburst munitions, guided kinetic, laser, Radio Frequency, High Power Microwave, entanglement, drone versus drone). Gather the data required to feed the selected effector models.
• Contribute to the capture of a relevant operational environment to create the 3D map used by the software.
• Develop or upgrade the effector models and their input parameters from the baseline version of the previous project, for instance by moving kinetic effectors from a Point Mass Model to a generalised Point Mass Model with drift or to a Modified Point Mass Model (STANAG 4355).
• Implement a probabilistic approach to neutralisation, computing at each time step a probability of neutralisation taking uncertainties into consideration.
• Model the non‑kinetic effectors including atmospheric effects and wave‑target interaction, as well as the resulting change of target behaviour.
• Model the combined use of several effectors and compute the resulting overall probability of neutralisation along the target trajectory.
• Implement the collateral damage risk assessment methodology based on the MIL‑STD‑882 hazard risk matrix, combining the probability that unintended effects reach potential ‘victims’ with the severity of the consequences.
• Characterise the generic environments (open areas, forested regions, low and high density urban areas, critical infrastructure zones) and map the collateral damage risks along the whole kill chain, including the effects of the neutralised drone falling and of its payload impacting the ground.
• Identify the required input parameters, implement and debug the prototype Python code of the effector and collateral damage models, integrate them in the chosen environment and contribute to their validation against the available data.
• Contribute to the deliverables (literature review, model description written as a scientific article, technical and final reports), to the exploitation of the tool on operational scenarios, and to the dissemination through scientific conferences, national and international working groups and Belgian stakeholders’ meetings.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Degree(s) required: Master’s degree in engineering (Applied Sciences, Engineering Sciences), preferably in mechanical, aerospace, electromechanical or a closely related discipline.

This position is open for junior profiles (ideally 0-3 years of experience) and experienced profiles (ideally 3 years of experience minimum).

However, young graduates are also encouraged to apply.

MUST HAVE

• Academic experience (projects, master’s thesis) or professional experience in the numerical modelling and simulation of mechanical, aerodynamic, ballistic or wave‑propagation problems.
• Proficiency in the production of technical and/or scientific documents.
• Training or experience in ballistics, weapon systems or effector performance modelling (kinetic, laser, RF/HPM or entanglement).
• Training or experience with drones, C‑UAS systems or weapon systems performance.
• Training or experience with 3D or simulation environments such as Blender or Tactical Assult Kit (TAK).
• Training or experience in probabilistic modelling, risk analysis or artificial intelligence.

Personal skills

• You conduct scientific research in an independent and upright way within a multidisciplinary environment.
• You communicate your results in a clear, concise and precise manner.
• You are involved, innovative and result oriented.
• You solve problems autonomously, take initiative and find alternatives or solutions.
• You will be working very closely together with the partners and will get insight in their proprietary intellectual property. Confidentiality is therefore an absolute must.

Other skills:

• The applicant shall have good knowledge of English (oral / written).
• Minimum knowledge of Dutch is an added value for collaboration with peers.
• Experience in scientific literature review and scientific writing is an added value.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• The researcher may be exposed to classified information and will therefore have to obtain the required security clearance. The candidate must consent with the background check required to obtain this clearance, which will be executed by Belgian Defense.
• Only applicants with a nationality of a country that is both part of NATO and the EU will be eligible.
• Working for the Patrimony requires living in Belgium for the duration of the study.

CONTRACT

• Probable date of recruitment: From 01/02/2026, in consultation with the applicant.
• Status: Full-time employment based on an open-ended contract with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant).
• Wage scale: Salary scale: wage scale NA11 (holder of a Master’s degree in Science or equivalent), or NA21 (holder of an Ir degree or equivalent Master’s in Engineering Sciences, doctor’s degree in the same area of expertise), with valuable / relevant seniority. A salary simulation can be done here: Simulateur de salaire. RMA applies a merit-based research career track, allowing researchers to advance in wage scale based upon annual evaluations.
• Holiday pay.

EXTRA LEGAL BENEFITS

• Possibility to benefit from a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test;
• End-of-year bonus;
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member);
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute);
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside working hours;
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu);
• Flexible working hours within the 38-hour week;
• Teleworking possible with allowance (2 days / week max);
• Holidays:
• 29 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day holiday every 5 years)
• 1 week OFF every year between Christmas and New year’s Eve (independent of the annual balance of holidays).
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers...);
• Entitlement to services offered by the ‘Office Central d'Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense’ (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator...;
• Possibility to benefit from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability).

WORKPLACE

Royal Military Academy, Avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Brussels. Limited travels to firing ranges for the potential test campaigns, as well as occasional travels abroad for scientific conferences.