PhD-student with a doctoral grant

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Application Deadline: 15 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Country: Belgium

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

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

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 Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie, Department Observerende Klinische wetenschappen, Research Group No Large Research Group 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?

• MSc (or equivalent) in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (degree completed by the start date).
• Proven interest in large-scale genomic data analysis (course projects, internship, or thesis count)
• Programming skills in R or Python.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team; good written and spoken English.
• Hands-on experience with genome analysis.
• Background in statistics, machine learning, or data visualisation.
• Familiarity 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, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 15/11/2026.

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 15/10/2026, 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 Pieter Verdyck at pieter.verdyck@uzbrussel.be or on +32 24749038.

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.

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences — Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Research Field: Biological sciences — Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Research Field: Computer science — Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Research Field: Medical sciences — Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Additional Information

Website for additional job details: https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Country: Belgium

City: Brussels

Postal Code: 1050

Street: Boulevard de la Plaine 2

Contact

City: Brussels

Website: http://www.vub.ac.be/

Postal Code: 1050