Senior R&D Water Technology

VITO is a trailblazer in the sustainability transition for both industry and governments at home and abroad. We assist and advise our clients in their search for workable solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. Within our water and energy transition unit, over 250 professionals are working on solutions to complex challenges in the water and energy domain.

VITO, along with its partners, is working on solutions to make water systems more climate-resilient by designing innovative water networks, setting up and testing demonstrators (see vlaanderenwaterproof.be) and developing physical and digital technology platforms – and products, to name a few examples.

To reinforce the expansion of our R&D and innovation strategy on water technology (water treatment, water management, water/energy, etc.), we are seeking a researcher for the VITO water campus in Ostend with high-level technical expertise, a healthy dose of creativity and an open mindset for collaboration with partners from industry and research.

Are you an experienced and dynamic colleague interested in establishing strategic lines of innovation? Would you like to take a lead role in launching new development projects for water products and processes? Then we hope to welcome you to our team!

A selection of your responsibilities

The Water Innovation & Sustainable Technologies team will be your new working environment where you will work closely with the Research Director on expanding our unique technology platforms.

• You will take a leading role in identifying current and future challenges in terms of process and product developments and possible gaps in the market. You will translate these market needs into an R&D strategy roadmap and will be responsible for its implementation: competence building (including PhD programme), strategic partnerships (academic, industrial), knowledge protection (IP), and funding.
• You will develop roadmaps and action plans, in consultation with the team, VITO colleagues (management, business development and other disciplines within VITO) and using your network in Flanders and internationally.
• You will support the further development of the laboratory/pilot infrastructure and engage in collaborations with industrial partners and/or other research organisations and universities.
• You will learn on the job and specialise further through professional literature and by following market trends in the technological field in the nexus domains of water/energy, water/climate and/or water/food.
• You will build your own scientific and industry-orientated network by participating in project consortia and meetings/events.

• You hold a Master in science (chemistry, mathematical, engineering) or PhD in the water domain, and demonstrated experience in a water technology (water treatment and reuse, – sensing – control and automation of processes – etc.) environment (min. five years of experience). Knowledge of materials is a plus.
• You possess an extensive (European) academic and/or industrial network, relevant to the expansion of the water technology portfolio.
• You have experience with product development from idea to market valorisation and IP portfolio expansion.
• Experience in setting up research and innovation projects and knowledge of Flemish and European support channels is a plus.