Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Category:  Academic Staff & Researchers

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 Social Sciences & Solvay Business School, Department Communicatiewetenschappen, Research Group Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains: 

Your PhD research will apply to the animation industry, with the objective of analysing its current state in Europe, the changes brought by the domination of video streaming services and online platforms, and the potential role of film policy.

Your PhD research will be part of the European, interdisciplinary ANIMA MUNDI project (IP, discoverability and partnerships: reviving the international promotion of european values through European animation industry ecosystem). It will allow you to collaborate with professionals from the (animation) film industry and other researchers. You will analyse the distribution of European animation films, with the aim of improving its discoverability on platforms and its circulation outside Europe.

Your tasks will include:

• Design of a research set-up
  
• Business models and market analysis
  
• Interviews with professionals in the (animation) film industry
  
• Literature review and desk research
  
• Daily project management and reporting to coordinator
  
• Working on publications (peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters) and presenting research findings internally and to a broader academic community 

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

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• Master’s degree in communication sciences, economy, management, political sciences or similar with outstanding academic results
  
• Knowledge of, or affinity with, animation or the European audiovisual industries is a strong asset
  
• Good knowledge of social science research methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative) or prepared to acquire this knowledge in a short timeframe
  
• Ability to work independently, good self-management and planning skills
  
• Flexible attitude when working in a dynamic environment with a variety of professional interlocutors
  
• Interdisciplinary mindset
  
• Analytical thinking and strong communication skills in English (including academic writing skills)

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.

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 15/02/2025. 

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 17/01/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
  
• your motivation letter;
  
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).
  

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Heritiana Ranaivoson at heritiana.renaud.ranaivoson@vub.be or on 026148540.

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.