Lab Manager – Sustainable Agentic Intelligence Lab (SAIL)

At VITO, we turn scientific insight into real world impact. Through breakthrough research and bold innovation, we help build a sustainable future for society, industry, and the planet.

The Sustainable Agentic Intelligence Lab (SAIL) is VITO’s strategic flagship for next generation AI. In SAIL, world class researchers, engineers, and domain experts join forces to create agentic AI systems that operate in and improve the physical world — from energy systems and infrastructure to ecosystems and industrial processes. We go beyond purely digital intelligence, shaping AI that is physically grounded, environmentally responsible, and aligned with human values.

SAIL is about pioneering. About questioning assumptions, opening new paths, and translating vision into systems that matter.

To help shape and scale this ambition, we are looking for a Lab Manager who acts as a visioneer and builder, supporting the Director of Digitization & AI and taking day to day responsibility for the growth and operation of the lab.

As SAIL Lab Manager, you are not just managing — you are spearheading. You translate strategic vision into action, align people and technology, and ensure SAIL becomes a true organisational and technical nucleus for agentic AI within and beyond VITO.

You will:

Lead the development of SAIL’s core technical foundations

Drive the evolution of SAIL’s software platforms, architectures, methods, and tooling. You convert vision into concrete roadmaps, sprint plans, and deliverables, ensuring technical excellence and future proof design.

Activate and connect VITO’s AI ecosystem

Act on behalf of the director to mobilise and align VITO’s internal AI community across research units and competence centres. You build bridges, create momentum, and ensure SAIL functions as a genuine organisational hub for agentic AI.

Be a trusted face to the outside world

Support and extend SAIL’s external partnership network with universities, RTOs, industry, and European initiatives. You maintain relationships, help prepare strategic materials, and represent SAIL where appropriate.

Contribute hands on to pioneering research

Actively engage in SAIL’s research agenda in physical AI and agentic systems, including physically grounded reasoning, world models, and multi agent systems. You lead by example and technical credibility.

Drive innovation funding and proposals

Take a leading role in developing proposals for Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, and Flemish programmes. From early concept to submission, you translate strategy into compelling, competitive projects.

Safeguard alignment and scalability

Ensure that SAIL’s technical direction remains aligned with VITO’s broader software, data, and digital strategy—balancing innovation with robustness and reuse.

We are looking for a credible pioneer with the energy and authority to inspire others and the pragmatism to deliver.

You bring:

• An engineering background with solid programming experience

• Up to date AI knowledge, driven by curiosity, self learning, and continuous exploration

• Mid level experience with proven technical and organisational maturity

• Experience with software and system architecture frameworks

• A strongly entrepreneurial mindset: proactive, opportunity driven, and impact focused

• The ability to lead without hierarchy: steering, guiding, and connecting people across disciplines

• Natural credibility and authority at technical and strategic level

• High energy, flexibility, and a willingness to travel on an ad hoc basis

Above all, you are someone who is excited by uncharted territory, motivated to help define what agentic AI for sustainability will look like in practice.

Offer

• A pivotal pioneering role at the heart of VITO’s AI strategy

• The opportunity to shape a lab, a community, and a research direction from the ground up

• Collaboration with top researchers, engineers, and international partners

• A strong focus on societal and environmental impact, not just technology for technology’s sake

• An open, trust based culture that values initiative, learning, and ownership

• A competitive salary package with flexible working conditions and room to grow

Ready to help shape the future of sustainable, agentic AI?

Join VITO and turn bold ideas into systems that move the physical world forward.