Researcher Water & Industry

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.

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 passionate Researcher ‘Water & Industry’ to co-create sustainable, innovative water solutions with the Flemish industry — optimizing water use, reducing pollution, and ensuring long-term availability.

What you will do:

• Innovate with technology: Initiation and execution of research and feasibility studies for and with industrial partners focusing on sustainable water value chains through both physical & digital technologies. These projects may be bilateral, collectively, or publicly co-funded and involve feasibility studies, lab and pilot demonstration projects – leveraging and expanding VITO’s cutting-edge water infrastructure.

• Collaborate globally: Lead and participate in high-profile (international) research projects with top-tier industrial and academic partners, strengthening your expertise and expanding your network.

• 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 research projects to accelerate the transition toward a sustainable water system

• 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. 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 engineering, Chemistry, Bioscience, … or related fields. A completed PhD degree in the water domain is a strong asset.

• You have a proven track of at least 5 years in water technology (water treatment, circular water, process intelligence, ….). You have a broad technology knowledge on different water domains (drinking water, wastewater, reuse, desalination, …) and water technologies.

• You are familiar in hands-on demonstration projects, techno-economic assessments, water legislation – or eager to deepen your expertise in these areas.

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

• 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 possess excellent communication skills and thrive in collaborative, international environments.

• You have a customer-oriented attitude and an eye for opportunities. You are defined by your entrepreneurial spirit and proactive initiative.

• 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.