R&D Water Process Intelligence

VITO, one of Europe’s leading research centers with 1,300 employees, transforms scientific insights into groundbreaking technological innovations, AI-driven solutions, and policy advice. We do this with one clear goal: to help the world thrive for at least another 1,000 years.

As a science-to-technology partner, we support businesses, governments, and society in their transition toward sustainability. With our multidisciplinary approach and unique laboratory, scaling, and testing infrastructure, we develop practical technological innovations. We accelerate progress toward a regenerative economy within the planet's boundaries, prioritizing electrification and circularity. Additionally, we create smart climate solutions for resilient and secure ecosystems and promote a healthy living environment where people, industry, agriculture, and nature coexist in harmony.

Our employees work in multidisciplinary expert teams across more than 40 research domains. They leverage our unique laboratory and data infrastructure, as well as our extensive network of innovation partners. Through positive transition thinking and in-depth techno-economic analyses, we develop solutions that are not only effective on paper but also in the complex reality of everyday life.

Within VITO’s Water and Energy Transition unit, more than 200 professionals work on solutions to complex challenges in the water and energy domain due to climate change and scarce resources.

To expand our Circular Water Technology team at the new research facilities in Ostend, we are looking for a Researcher ‘Water Process Intelligence’ to harness digital technologies to solve water-related challenges, to develop data-driven and smart control solutions that make water systems more efficient, sustainable and resilient.

Your responsibilities

• Innovate with technology: the water process intelligence research line is focused in supporting the further development of existing and novel water treatment technologies and their application in practice, by using individual or integrated digital elements (e.g. sensors, data collection, automation, modelling and data-driven solutions), with the aim of achieving more efficient, robust and environmentally friendly processes - leveraging and expanding VITO’s cutting-edge water infrastructure.

• Engage on a global scale: Take the lead and actively contribute to prominent international research projects alongside leading industrial and academic partners, deepening your expertise, growing your professional network, and advancing technological innovation.

• Translate ideas into impact: translate theoretical concepts into practical, cost-effective solutions tailored to industrial applications, contributing to a more resilient and water-smart industry

• Drive scientific progress: identify and develop new, patentable ideas to support the systems transition to a sustainable water value chain from a technological perspective (integration of physical and digital technologies) and share your groundbreaking research in high-impact scientific publications

• Present globally: represent VITO and showcase your work at (inter)national conferences and forums, strengthening VITO’s position in the global water innovation landscape.

• Collaborate and grow: Work closely with a dynamic, multidisciplinary team of talented researchers, lab and field technicians with state-of-the-art infrastructure. Take ownership of the set up, execution and coordination of scientific research projects, including internal and external project reviews

• You have a scientific master’s in chemistry, mathematics, technology … or related fields. A completed PhD degree in the water domain is a strong asset.

• You have demonstrable expertise in:

  • Process control and optimization for environmental processes

  • Process modelling, simulation tools, data-driven methods (e.g. AI)

  • Process monitoring and online sensors

  • Data collection, data management and data analytics (e.g. chemometrics)

  • Process development. Knowledge about product development is a plus

• Expertise in water process technologies is a big added value, especially with focus on the following topics:

  • removal of contaminants of emerging pollutants (membranes, constructed wetlands, treatment trains)

  • treatment of concentrates (zero pollution and circular water)

  • net zero GHG emissions in wastewater treatment plants.

• You have a passion for combining water expertise with digital tools to make a tangible impact.

• You have experience in applied industrial R&D and innovation trajectories. Familiarity with funding mechanisms is a plus.

• You have proven experience in new product and process development and in valorizing Intellectual Property

• You have a strong network in the Flemish and international water sector, complemented by a good knowledge of current challenges, trends, and opportunities in that field

• You have strong communication skills and are able to work in (international) networks.

• You have excellent project management and organizational skills.

• You are a flexible team player who can also work independently.

• You have an excellent knowledge of English and knowledge of Dutch is recommended.

Offer

• You will have the opportunity to be part of an organization with an international reputation, known for its cutting-edge technological research and scientific consultancy.

• The opportunity to help to put Flanders on the international map as an active knowledge region and to contribute to sustainable development both locally and internationally.

• An attractive salary package supplemented with extra-legal benefits such as allowances, insurances and a modular holiday package.

• We work 'activity-based', our activities bring us to our location. In this function, you work together with a team of (international) junior & senior researchers at our new research facilities at the VITO campus in Ostend. Hybrid arrangements and/or working in a satellite office with other Visioneers is possible in Mol, Antwerp-Berchem, Genk, Kortrijk or Leuven is possible.

• Innovation is our key asset, and we give our employees the opportunity to undertake additional training and keep up to date with developments in their specialist field. In fact, we expect this of them.

• Together with 1.300 VITO colleagues, you will be part of making the difference in the systemic change that is required to achieve a sustainable society.