Part-time postdoctoral researcher on EU climate and energy governance

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 Brussels School of Governance, Department Instituut voor Europese Studies, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher. 

More concretely your work package contains: 

The Brussels School of Governance at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) invites applications for a part-time (50-75%) postdoctoral researcher on international and/or European climate and energy governance (beginning in April 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter).

As a postdoctoral researcher you will form part of the Brussels Schools’ Centre for Environment, the Economy and Energy (3E Centre) and are expected to contribute to different projects on European climate and energy governance (Horizon Europe and others). The 3E Centre’s contribution to these projects varies but generally relates to the European climate and energy policy frameworks in the international context of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Project deliverables are research reports and academic articles. The exact research focus and contribution of the researcher can to some extent be adapted within the overall team. 

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• You have a PhD or equivalent academic expertise in political science, international relations, European studies, international/European law (or a related discipline), with specialisation in areas relevant to European climate and energy governance.
• You have proven academic research expertise and excellence in areas related to European climate and energy governance, including relevant academic publications;
• You are able to operate in a multicultural and multidisciplinary research team;
• You have fluency in English. Knowledge of other (European) languages is considered an asset.

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 contract, for an assignment with a scope between 0.5 FTE and 0.75 FTE, for 24 months  (extendable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/04/2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

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 15/12/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents in one PDF, in the order as listed below:

•    a letter of motivation, including research interests (max. 2 pages);
•    a full CV, including a list of publications;
•    the contact details of two references; 
•    a copy of the Master’s diploma or certificate; 
•    one recent sample of academic writing.
Please upload the PDF file in one of the required fields and disregard the different fields on our webpage.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Laura De Decker at jobs_bsog@vub.be or on +32 2 614 80 01.

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.