Scientific researcher (m/f/x)
|
Activity group |
Recruitment category(ies) |
Applications open until |
I. Scientific research and experimental development |
SW2 |
19/06/2026 |
Job description
Purpose of the position
The VLAIO Blauwe Cluster ‘Blue Alkalinity’ project investigates the potential of Coastal Ocean Alkalinity enhancement (COA) as a strategy for carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
This position focuses on quantifying the spatial application potential of COA across Belgian waters and the North Sea, with upscaling ambitions towards global ocean.
Outcome areas
You will develop GIS-based spatial models and maps to quantify COA application potential, this includes:
- “maximum potential” CO₂ sequestration
- “effective potential” accounting for marine spatial planning (MSP) and marine engineering applications
- upscaling from regional to global applications
Key Responsibilities
1. GIS-based spatial modelling
- Integrate multi-source datasets (bathymetry, sediment data, sediment dynamics, MSP layers, engineering applications)
- Scale analyses from Belgian waters to North Sea and potentially global datasets
2. Biogeochemical parameterisation
- Parameterise alkalinity efflux, with inputs from partners working on mesocosm experiments and digital twin modelling
3. CO₂ sequestration efficiency mapping
4. Integrated CO₂ sequestration mapping
- Combine alkalinity efflux + efficiency to produce:
- “maximum potential” maps
- “maximum potential” maps
- Integrate with other datasets to derive:
- “effective potential” maps
- “effective potential” maps
5. Deliverables
· Dataset deliveries and scientific publications are targeted, as well as contributions to policy-relevant assessments.
Employer
There is 1 position open in the
The activity group for the position is:
Skills
Behavioural skills
Soft skills
- Establish connections between various data points, develop alternatives, and draw appropriate conclusions
- Build and strengthen team spirit by sharing opinions and ideas and helping to resolve conflicts among colleagues.
- Exchange and convey ideas, opinions, and information tailored to the context and the targeted audience
Technical skills
Strong understanding of:
o sediment (dynamic) processes and sediment distributions
o GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS, or Python-based workflows)
o spatial modelling and geospatial data integration w.r.t marine systems
o large geospatial datasets (NetCDF, raster data)
o model–data integration
o uncertainty analysis
Programming:
o Python (required)
o R
The ideal candidate operates at the interface of GIS, oceanography, biogeochemistry and modelling.
Assets
Knowledge in the domain of :
o Carbon Dioxide Removal
o North Sea dynamics
o marine spatial planning
Knowledge of English
Interest in scaling from regional to global applications.
Conditions for consideration
Degree must have been conferred by the closing date for applications
Applicants who have a degree or certificate from a foreign institution who apply for a scientific position for which the tasks are not related to the permanent missions of the institution are exempt from the need for an academic equivalence evaluation.
Experience required
At least four years’ experience in the field of physical oceanography, geographic information systems, marine geology, environmental modelling or marine biogeochemistry
Job offer
Contract and category
You will be hired under a
Minimum pay:
Benefits
We offer you an interesting job with a societal impact, which comes with a number of benefits:
· A good work-life balance
o flexible working hours of 38 or 40 hours (with compensatory adjustment) per week
o option of taking compensatory leave for overtime worked
o offices closed between Christmas and New Year's Day
o possibility of working from home
o 26 days of paid leave (for a year of full time employment)
o easy commuting using public transport
· numerous opportunities for self-growth
o numerous opportunities for training and apprenticeship (during working hours)
· Financial benefits
o possibility of receiving a bilingualism bonus
o hospitalisation insurance provided
o supplementary pension (occupational pension)
o free use of public transport for commuting between your home and the place of work
o meal vouchers
o work from home/office allowance
o possibility of receiving a bicycle allowance for travel via bicycle
o Benefits and offers via the Benefits@Work card
o a range of fringe benefits (subject to conditions)
Conditions for employment
If you are selected through this procedure, you must – in order to be hired – fulfil the following requirements on the date of selection:
· Enjoy full civil and political rights
· Have fulfilled military service requirements
· Behave in a manner fitting of the requirements of the position
· Hold the necessary degree(s)
· Have the necessary skills and fulfil the requirements listed in the job profile
Procedure
Step 1 – Verification of the participation conditions
You will be considered in the selection procedure if you fulfil all of the required conditions. Verification will be carried out by the selection board on the basis of the application documents you have submitted. The board will decide whether the qualifications, awards and experiences you have submitted meet the requirements of the position. If they do, you will be invited to continue to the next step of the procedure.
Depending on the number of applications received, the selection board reserves the right to limit the number of applicants eligible for the next step by selecting those applicants it deems most suitable for the position.
Step 2 – Interview
The interview will take place at
The selection board assesses whether the qualifications, awards and experience you included in your application documents meet the requirements for the position.
If you fail to attend
If you fail to attend the additional evaluation and/or interview, you will be automatically excluded from the remainder of the selection procedure unless you provide evidence, within three days, that your absence was justified for one of the following reasons:
· illness
· emergency relating to a member of your household (= anyone who lives with the applicant) or family (= spouse or legal cohabitant of the applicant, parents or grandparents of the applicant)
· mandatory presence at your workplace
· disruption or delay to public transport of at least 30 minutes
· force majeure
If applicable, you may request, within 10 days of the interview date, to be interviewed by the board. A new date will then be offered to you.
Notification
If you are not selected in a step, the procedure will end and you will not be invited to any subsequent evaluations in the same selection procedure.
For each step, you will receive a notification of the result.
Equal opportunities and reasonable accommodations
The Federal Administration has an active diversity policy.
Do you live with a disability, with learning difficulties or an illness? If so, you can request accommodations for the selection procedure. Please contact the individual listed under the “Contact persons” section.
Facilities provided for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Are you pregnant or breastfeeding your child? If so, you can request access to the relevant facilities. Please contact the individual listed under the “Contact persons” section.
Final result
What happens if you are selected?
Following the selection procedure, an unranked group of applicants will be placed on a short-list. These applicants will be those deemed most suitable to fill the open position in accordance with the conditions for consideration.
How long will this list remain valid?
The short-list of selected applicants will be valid for
Apply
Do you want to apply? Send your application documents by email to
Your application documents must include:
· an updated CV
· a cover letter
· a copy (or copies) of the degree certificates with all associated annexes if any of these documents are not written in French, Dutch, German or English, a translation must also be provided
· any other document proving relevant experience, such as:
o academic activities carried out with attestations as supporting documents (attestations issued by employers, authorities that provided grants, etc.)
o a list of any scientific papers published
The closing date for sending your application is
Applications that do not follow the indicated procedure will not be considered.
Contact persons
Concerning the position:
For more information about the position, please contact:
Dr. Vera Van Lancker: vvanlancker@naturalsciences.be
Concerning the selection procedure:
For more information about the selection procedure, please contact:
Cryzel Dalagan: cdalagan@naturalsciences.be
Jérémy Abdissi: jabdissi@naturalsciences.be
If you want to request a reasonable accommodation for the selection procedure or access to facilities for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, please also contact this person.