Professor in Sustainable Propulsion and Clean Energy

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 faculty of Engineering, Department Applied Mechanics, is looking for a full-time professor. 

More concretely your work package contains: 

Education and Research domain:

Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics: sustainable propulsion and clean energy

Education tasks:

• You will teach at BA and MA level, in the engineering technology (IW) and engineering sciences (IR) programmes. 
• You will teach the following course units in the field of thermodynamics, energy and thermal engineering:
  • Renewable Energy Technology (IR);
  • Warmte en Stromingsleer: basisbegrippen (IR);
  • Thermal Power Plants (IR);
  • Warmte- en Stromingsleer: modelleren (IR).
• Depending on your specific profile and expertise, you may also contribute to the following course units:
  • Stromingsmachines (IW);
  • Turbomachinery (IR).

Research tasks:

The Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics (FLOW) research group at the VUB has strong expertise in both fundamental and applied research areas relating to data-driven modelling of thermo-fluid systems. Applications lie in aeronautics (aerodynamics, flow control), space (atmospheric reentry, plasma) and energy (wind power, bioenergy, hydrogen, heat networks, plasma-assisted combustion). 
Since 2021, FLOW has collaborated with ULB's ATM research group under the name VUB-ULB Joint Research Group BRITE (Brussels Institute for Thermal-fluid Systems and clean Energy).
FLOW's research focuses on the development of advanced thermo-fluid systems to drive innovation in energy conversion, propulsion and environmental sustainability. Through fundamental and applied research, we aim to improve efficiency, performance and sustainability of propulsion and energy systems in various sectors.

Specifically, we want to strengthen our expertise in thermal modelling with your expertise in:

• Clean Aviation: Development of cleaner, more efficient combustion technologies for the next generation of aircraft engines, with a focus on sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and hydrogen.
•  Rocket Propulsion: Research on combustion dynamics, fuel efficiency and new fuels for space exploration and stratospheric flight.
• Piston Engines: Optimisation of thermodynamic cycles, fuel injection and combustion processes to increase efficiency and reduce emissions in marine, transport and energy applications.
• Emissions & air quality: Research on pollutant formation, emission control strategies and their impact on air quality to support regulations and cleaner engine designs.
• Power generation: Modelling next-generation thermal systems for power plants.

Our vision aligns with global sustainability goals and contributes to cleaner, more efficient propulsion and power systems for the future. Partly by combining your commitment in experimental research, high-fidelity simulations and data-driven optimisation, we strive for breakthrough solutions that balance performance and environmental awareness.

• To this end, you develop an internationally recognised research programme in thermodynamics and flow mechanics, with a focus on sustainable propulsion (aerospace, maritime) and energy generation.
• You acquire competitive research funding (e.g. Horizon Europe, Clean Aviation, FWO, ERC, Innovation Fund, etc.).
• You supervise PhD students, postdocs and master's thesis students.
• You publish in leading scientific journals and present at international conferences.
• You build collaborations with academic, industrial and government bodies in aviation, shipping, energy and environment.
• You build collaborations with other research groups at the VUB. FLOW is part of the House of Sustainable Transitions and the Institute for Decarbonisation Technologies. 
• By aligning research initiatives with those European and Flemish strategies, and actively participating in future funding opportunities, you and our research group can make a significant contribution to the sustainable transformation of propulsion and energy systems.
• Furthermore, you will contribute to the realisation of our valorisation plans. 

Other tasks:

• You are committed to the department's functioning and participate in committees at faculty and possibly university level.
• You actively participate in professional association activities and help raise the profile of the university by participating in scientific popularisation activities.

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 hold a degree in Engineering or a Master of Science in electromechanics, energy or aerospace, as well as a PhD in a related field.
• You have research experience and a demonstrable track record in the field.
• You endorse FLOW's research vision, which supports combining experiments with data-driven modelling of thermo-fluid systems.
• Both junior and senior profiles are welcome to apply.
• You subscribe to the university’s vision of education. The full text in relation to this is available on the university website.
• Every first appointment is dependent upon the successful delivery of a teaching session.  
• Language regulations:

A member of the academic staff who is entrusted with a teaching assignment must also be able to demonstrate that the language of instruction is known at ERK level C1 through a qualification certificate or through an adequate diploma. The VUB also provides courses in, for example, academic English.

The administrative language of the VUB is Dutch. In case of insufficient knowledge of Dutch, the VUB will provide an integration course. After a maximum of five years, a member of the academic staff must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the administrative language (ERK level B2).

For a complete overview, please consult the complete language regulations on https://jobs.vub.be/content/Regulations-concerning-language-proficiency/. 

Certificates demonstrating knowledge of the language can already be added to the application. 

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 an appointment as full-time professor, with planned starting date 01/10/2025. 

• If the recruitment is in the rank of lecturer, you'll be offered a tenure track appointment, which implies an initial appointment as lecturer for a period of 5 years, with eligibility for tenure in the rank of senior lecturer by the end of this initial period. 
• If the recruitment is in another academic rank, you'll be offered an appointment for 3 years, with eligibility for tenure in the same rank by the end of this initial period.

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 05/05/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your motivation letter, including your vision on education and research, and an explanation about the development of your future research;
• your curriculum vitae, including you academic dossier; 
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni) and language certificates.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Aurélie Bellemans at [email protected] or on +32-2-6292393.

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.