R&D Expert Urban Energy Transition

As a top European research center, VITO, with 1,300 employees, translates scientific insights into groundbreaking technological innovations, AI solutions and policy advice. Our mission is clear: to create a sustainable and promising future for our world. Join us in making this vision a reality!

The Polaris team advances climate, energy, and built environment policies through rigorous scientific analysis and fact-based input. We support the development, evaluation, and optimization of strategies at EU, national, and local levels. Polaris plays a pivotal role in shaping key EU legislation, including the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and Governance Regulation. We coordinate high-impact initiatives for the European Commission, such as the Heat Pump Support Service, EU-Forum, and Smart Cities Marketplace. These and other projects drive progress toward urban energy transition, zero-emission buildings, smart readiness, renovation pathways, and the decarbonization of heating.

To accelerate our ambitious goals, we are looking for an R&D Expert Urban Energy Transition to join our interdisciplinary team.

Join us to build a sustainable future!

Your role:

• As R&D expert you will take the lead on national and international research projects and service contracts related to the urban energy transition.

• You apply participatory methods and combine technical and social research, understanding that in successful energy transition policies neither can succeed without the other.

• You will be responsible for acquiring service contracts and the writing of research proposals with the aim of securing future research funding in the broad field of energy and sustainable urban development.

• You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and business developers.

• You support governments in the implementation of EU building and energy related legislation.

• You are familiar with relevant EU legislation and concepts such as ETS2, Digital Building Logbook, Zero Emission Buildings, improved Energy Performance Certificates and Building Renovation Passports.

• You will be part of national and international consortia and build a network with relevant Belgian and international stakeholders and customers.

• You will prepare descriptive and analytical reports, translating the outcome of your analytical work into concrete yet novel policy recommendations on regional, national and EU levels.

• You present your work to clients, stakeholders, and peers on national and international fora.

By combining your expertise, strategic insights and policy savviness, you will play a pivotal role in shaping impactful research and policy solutions addressing critical climate, energy, and built environment challenges.

• You hold at a minimum a Master's degree.

• You have over 5 years of relevant work experience in the (urban) energy transition, either from a research, policy or industry perspective.

• You have affinity with project acquisition and building performance or energy transition related research.

• A good understanding of EU, national and local policymaking processes, and a strong commitment to staying informed about developments in climate, energy, and the built environment.

• Experience with working on assignments for the European Commission is of added value.

• You have a customer-oriented attitude and an eye for opportunities.

• You have excellent project management and organizational skills.

• You have proven ability to build and maintain partnerships. The strong network you bring along is a plus.

• You are proactive and communicative, and contribute to a supportive and engaging team culture.

• You are communicative and can express yourself fluently in English. Knowledge of Dutch or other EU languages is an asset.

Offer

• We work 'activity-based', our activities bring us to our location. The team’s core location is in EnergyVille, Genk. Hybrid work arrangements or working in a satellite office in Antwerp-Berchem, Leuven, Ostend or Mol is possible.

• You will be part of a growing research organization with an international reputation, known for its cutting-edge technological research and scientific based advice.

• You will contribute directly to sustainable developments at local, national and global level through breakthrough innovative applications. In this way, you help to provide answers to contemporary grand societal challenges.

• A competitive salary supplemented with various extra-legal benefits including allowances, insurances and a modular holiday package.

• Innovation is our most important asset, so it goes without saying that we give our employees the opportunity to learn and further develop themselves both on the job and through training.

• We highly value a good work-life balance at VITO. This is achieved by adopting a flexible attitude depending on your specific needs.