Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
6 days ago
PhD Position in Multimodal Sensor Design for Agrifood Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Full funding availableDeadline
Sep 20, 2026
Country
Belgium
University
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
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About this position
PhD Position in Multimodal Sensor Design for Agrifood at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Faculty of Engineering, Department Toegepaste natuurkunde en fotonica, Research Group Brussels Photonics.
This PhD project is part of the FWO-SBO-funded MOSAIC initiative: Multimodal Optical Sensing and AI for Crop & Food Safety. The research aims to develop a handheld, all-in-one optical sensing platform for real-time, non-destructive evaluation of plants and food products. The sensing concept combines UV, visible, and near-infrared reflection spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, supported by smart illumination design and advanced AI-based data processing.
The doctoral work will focus on developing a multimodal laboratory setup, performing and demonstrating spectroscopic measurements, analysing multimodal data using machine learning methods, and designing/miniaturising a novel spectroscopic sensor using freeform optics. The project is explicitly oriented toward agrifood applications, with an emphasis on portability, optical integration, and robust measurement performance.
The host institution, VUB, is an international research university in Brussels and part of the EUTOPIA alliance. The work base for this position is the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene). The position is offered as a doctoral grant / PhD scholarship, initially for 12 months and extendable up to 48 months subject to positive evaluation. The scholarship is linked to government pay scales.
Applicants should hold a master’s degree in physics, photonics, applied mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related scientific field. Strong interest in photonic systems and light-based technologies is essential. Experience with optical spectroscopy, optical design, experimental optical setups, lasers, spectrometers, and fiber optics is advantageous, as are programming skills in Matlab or Python and familiarity with numerical methods and Zemax OpticsStudio. Strong independence, critical thinking, communication skills, collaboration, time management, and English proficiency at CEFR C1 level or equivalent are required. The candidate should also be willing to travel for conferences, workshops, and research stays.
The application deadline is 20 September 2026. Applications must be submitted through jobs.vub.be and include a CV, motivation letter, and diploma (if applicable). Contact for questions: Lien Smeesters ([email protected]).
Funding details
Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.
How to apply
Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent via the online portal before the deadline.
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