Postdoctoral Researcher

The Brussels Interdisciplinary Research centre for Migration and Minorities (BIRMM) is a recognised interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence (IRPCOE) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) that brings together over 100 researchers from 11 different disciplines. BIRMM aims to increase the visibility of VUB research on migration and minorities. It develops and supports interdisciplinary research projects in these fields.  

The Centre also stimulates cooperation between VUB research groups and VUB researchers in international and local networks. BIRMM's research orientation is international but special attention is also paid to the dynamics in Brussels and Belgium. 
 
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher for grant and proposal writing (PhD or equivalent research experience) with strong skills in writing and coordinating research proposals. The candidate will contribute to the acquisition of new research projects for BIRMM and to the development of BIRMM as a centre for migration and minority research. 
 
More specifically, the postdoctoral researcher is expected to take on the following tasks in close cooperation with the BIRMM research coordinator: 

• You initiate and co-write research proposals for acquiring external research funding. More specifically, we would like to submit a large interdisciplinary research proposal on the theme of inequality, discrimination and racism in higher education, as well as other smaller project proposals on similar topics.  Other research topics fitting the expertise of BIRMM and the participating VUB professors can also be considered;  
• You follow up on research funding opportunities, both regional, national and international; 
• You follow up on the administrative procedures at VUB and the procedures and rules of external funding channels;    
• You initiate and coordinate the involvement of relevant stakeholders (external researchers, civil society organisations, student associations,...) when writing research proposals.    

You are employed full-time for a duration of one year (80% employment is negotiable). Renewal is possible in the case of obtaining research funding. 

Job profile

PhD degree (or equivalent by experience), preferably on a topic related to migration or minorities.    
  
Experience:  
Required:  

• Hold a PhD (or equivalent by experience), preferably on a topic related to migration or minorities; experience with topics such as inequality, discrimination and racism in higher education or related topics is recommended; 
• Knowledge and expertise in the field of migration and minorities and the state of the art in the field of study, demonstrated by relevant publications and/or other research activities;
• Experience in supervising and/or writing funding applications, or participation in consortium-based research projects; 
• Experience in project coordination and communication with stakeholders;  
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.  

Desirable:  

Good command of Dutch.  

VUB is an employer that promotes equal opportunities. Applications from women and minorities are particularly welcome.
 
Are you interested in this position?  

Applications must be submitted by June 5, 2022 (23h59 CET) at the latest and send to jobs_bsog@vub.be. Please include at least the BSoG application form, your CV (listing your academic qualifications, relevant research and/or work experience, and publications), a concise motivation for the application, a copy of your degree certificate, a research proposal of maximum 800 words and a publication sample (academic article, part of PhD or other publication). The aforementioned elements are to be consolidated into a single PDF file to be sent by email to jobs_bsog@vub.be 

Please mention “Postdoctoral researcher - grant and proposal writing” in the subject line. 

Our application process is as follows:  
Step 1: CV screening by our selection panel  
Step 2: Job interview (in Brussels or online), scheduled for the week of 17 June (subject to change).  
  
Start date: 1/9/2022 or as soon as possible thereafter     
  
For further questions on this vacancy, please contact Dr. Hannah Vermaut by telephone +32 498 67 67 10 or by e-mail hannah.vermaut@vub.be.