PhD scholarship in sustainable urban logistics

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) invites applications for a PhD scholarship in sustainable urban logistics, based in Brussels, Belgium. As a member of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Solvay Business School, Department of Business Technology and Operations, you will join the House of Sustainable Transitions (HOST) research group and the interdisciplinary Mobilise team. This four-year FWO-funded project focuses on mapping transport demand in Brussels, aiming for innovative approaches to improve urban logistics and sustainability outcomes. As a PhD student, you will develop expertise across transport and logistics, sustainability, economics, and statistics. Your responsibilities include independent data collection, conducting surveys, and organizing workshops with companies, policymakers, and academics. You will be supervised by two academic promoters, including Prof. Dr. Koen Mommens, and participate in international conferences, learning to publish and communicate your research for maximum societal and economic impact. The project offers opportunities for collaboration, team activities, and training within the Mobilise team, with your home base at the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene). Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Sociology, Mathematics, Economics, Management, Business Engineering, Geography, Transport, Urban Planning, Political Science, or a related discipline. Candidates who have not yet completed their Master’s may apply, provided they show proof of enrolment and fulfill all requirements before starting. Essential skills include strong written and oral communication in English and French, stakeholder engagement, time management, planning, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and statistics. Knowledge of RStudio, SPSS, MATLAB, and GIS is advantageous. Applicants must not have worked as an assistant paid from operating resources for more than 12 months. Non-EEA nationals must meet permit and residence requirements for VUB. The scholarship is full-time for 12 months, extendable up to 48 months upon positive evaluation. The grant is linked to government scales and includes benefits such as telework allowance or internet fee, cost-free hospitalisation insurance, full reimbursement of public transport commute, compensation for bike commute, attractive campus restaurant prices, sport and exercise facilities, discounts, nursery, holiday camp discounts, and extensive leave arrangements. The effective result of the scholarship is subject to your enrolment as a doctoral student at VUB. VUB offers an open, involved, and diverse workplace, reflecting societal values and providing opportunities for career development. The university is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of European universities committed to innovation and reinvention. To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, and diploma (not required for VUB alumni) via jobs.vub.be by 22 March 2026. The selection process includes an initial file review and a job interview. For questions about the job content, contact Prof. Dr. Koen Mommens at [email protected] . For more information about VUB and EUTOPIA, visit jobs.vub.be and eutopia-university.eu .