Postdoctoral Researcher Offer Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is offering a full-time postdoctoral position linked to the ARCHAI project, an interdisciplinary collaboration between the AMGC research team and the FLAIR research group.

The project sits at the intersection of archaeology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and geospatial analysis. It focuses on archaeological prospection, where sparse and uncertain data make it difficult to decide where to survey next. ARCHAI addresses this challenge by treating archaeological search as a sequential decision-making problem and by developing a simulation platform together with deep multi-objective reinforcement learning methods. The goal is to create interpretable and efficient discovery strategies that balance scientific yield and cost effectiveness, and to test whether simulation-trained policies transfer to real field settings such as Turkey, Cyprus, and Flanders.

The successful candidate will coordinate collaboration between the archaeology and AI teams, contribute to the simulator and machine learning methods, help build systems that combine maps, satellite imagery, and archaeological datasets, and support grant writing for future expansion of the research line. The post also involves active participation in AMGC and FLAIR meetings, supervision support for MSc and BSc theses, publication of results in journals and computer science conferences, and presentation and outreach to both academic and public audiences.

The role is based at VUB’s Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus in Elsene. The position is funded as a postdoctoral scholarship for 12 months, with the possibility of extension up to 36 months subject to positive evaluation. The planned start date is 01/01/2027. The funding is described as a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

Applicants must hold a PhD in archaeology, computer science/AI, or a related field. Experience with computing and preferably machine learning is expected, though candidates from archaeology with a strong interest in AI/ML, or from computer science with an interest in archaeology, are both encouraged. Additional requirements include a strong research track record, experience with grant proposals, excellent digital data management and GIS skills, strong teamwork and communication abilities, and high proficiency in English. A mobility condition applies: applicants must have spent at least 12 months abroad in the three years before the start date, without working or studying in Belgium during that period.

The application deadline is 14/09/2026. Applicants should apply via the VUB jobs portal and submit a CV including the contact details of two referees, a motivation letter of up to two pages, and a diploma if applicable. Questions about the position can be directed to Prof. dr. Ralf Vandam at [email protected].