R&D Facade Specialist

📄 Please note that we expect applicants for this position to submit a motivation letter along with their CV.

As a top European research centre, 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 group for Construction Robotics and Innovative Building envelopes (CRIB) at VITO is an interdisciplinary team dedicated to advancing sustainable construction. Our primary objective is to develop next-generation building envelope systems for new build and renovation, supported by innovative design methodologies, robotics, and automated construction solutions. We coordinate and lead high-impact European projects, such as RENOMIZE, SOLMATE, oPEN Lab, and FRAIMwork, where we develop innovative prefabricated building envelopes and autonomous construction robotics. Our team is equipped with the THOREAQ lab facility, including real-scale twin buildings for A-B testing of novel construction processes and components, a robotic workshop for system development and prototyping, and an outdoor construction lab for demonstration and implementation. CRIB’s active involvement in both EU- and Flemish-funded R&I projects, and strategic collaborations with industry partners, contributes to a more climate-resilient construction industry, affordability and shift towards a circular economy in the built environment.

To accelerate our ambitious goals, we are looking for an R&D Facade Specialist to join our interdisciplinary team.

Are you an engineer or an architect with a researcher mindset who thrives in interdisciplinary teams and is driven to turn innovative ideas into real-world impact? Do you enjoy developing and testing novel building envelope concepts, contributing to scientific breakthroughs, and redefining the boundaries of sustainable architecture? Then join us at VITO to build a sustainable future!

Your role

As an R&D Expert in Facade Engineering, you will lead and contribute to applied research and innovation projects that bridge technical excellence with real-world application in the field of sustainable and high-performance building envelopes. You will help shape building envelope systems/technologies that are not only innovative, but also robust, buildable, and aligned with industry standards. Your work will span multiple interconnected themes, such as:

• Innovative materials and assemblies for next-generation facade and roof systems

• Optimization of structural, hygrothermal, acoustic, and daylight performance

• Digital tools and workflows for integrated facade design, simulation, detailing, and prototyping

• Bridging architectural intent with technical performance, structural logic, and regulatory compliance (e.g., EN, DIN, ISO)

• Integration of construction automation, digital fabrication, life-cycle assessment, and circular design principles into novel envelope development
  

You will:

• Lead interdisciplinary R&D projects with national and international partners across academia and industry, from low to high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL 3–8)

• Translate architectural, structural and environmental requirements into functional envelope prototypes, bridging scientific innovation with real-world implementation

• Develop and apply simulation workflows for hygrothermal, daylight, solar gain, and energy performance using state-of-the-art tools

• Collaborate closely with architects, structural engineers, sustainability experts, robotics and automation specialists, and manufacturers to ensure integration and technical feasibility

• Actively contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, and patentable innovations

• Secure external funding through co-writing of competitive Flemish and European research proposals

• Mentor junior researchers and engineers and contribute to a collaborative, impact-driven team culture

• A Master’s degree with 5+ years of industry experience in facade engineering, building physics, or architectural engineering

• Hands-on involvement in built or prototyped projects, where you contributed to the design, development, detailing, or performance testing of facade systems

• A portfolio of relevant facade projects, clearly showing your role—from early design to mock-up, simulation, or implementation phases

• Strong technical insight into building envelope materials, their durability, assembly logic, and performance over time

• Experience in multi-objective facade design, integrating thermal, structural, and aesthetic requirements into coordinated solutions

• Solid understanding of facade-related norms, codes, and performance standards, such as DIN, EN, ISO, or building-specific regulations, and their application to design, detailing, and material selection

• Fluency in English; Dutch or another EU language is a plus
  

Bonus Skills:

• Proficiency in CAD/BIM and parametric design tools (e.g. Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper)

• Experience with environmental simulation tools (e.g. WUFI, THERM, EnergyPlus, Flixo, Radiance, Ladybug Tools) and/or structural analysis software (e.g. RFEM, SAP2000, Mepla, ANSYS, Karamba3D)

• Experience with digital fabrication, additive manufacturing, and construction robotics

• Familiarity with life cycle assessment (LCA), embodied carbon tools, and principles of circular construction

• A Doctoral degree and/or experience in a research environment, with a track record of scientific publications in facade-related topics

• Strong communication and project coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams

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, Leuven 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.

• An established national and international network of research and industry partners enabling us to conduct applied research with real impact.

• 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.

• At VITO, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or cultural identity.