Location: Brussels, Belgium
Institution: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) – Center Leo Apostel (CLEA)
Opportunity type: Postdoctoral Position
Field: Computational Biology · Bioinformatics · Complex Systems · Data Science · Systems Biology
Contract: 33 months, full-time
Start: October 2026
Deadline: Rolling basis until the position is filled
APPLICATIONS OPEN
The Center Leo Apostel (CLEA) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher for the project “Empirical Characterization of Matter–Information Interplays” (RWP2).
The project develops a novel framework—formal, empirical and philosophical—for understanding agency and goal-directedness, with a particular focus on how matter–information interplays form problem spaces and how goal-directedness emerges during the transition from problem spaces to higher-level goal systems.
The work is positioned at the intersection of complex systems, computational biology, bioinformatics, data science and systems biology, combining empirical analysis with theoretical modelling.
The project
The researcher will work within RWP2, contributing to the empirical characterization of patterns across biological systems.
The work package involves:
- Comparing empirical foundations across biological substrates.
- Analysing measured and synthetic datasets.
- Studying metabolic, morphological, behavioural and cognitive spaces.
- Developing mechanistic phenomenological models.
- Integrating empirical data with theoretical frameworks.
- Investigating transitions between early-stage and late-stage observable states.
- Connecting empirical models with the theory developed in RWP1.
- Developing open-source simulation and modelling tools.
The project includes collaboration with researchers and advisors from institutions in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Morocco and the United States.
What will the postdoctoral researcher do?
The position involves:
- Systematizing datasets across metabolic, morphological and behavioural-cognitive spaces.
- Developing system-specific phenomenological models.
- Integrating reaction networks, cellular automata, PDEs, multi-agent systems and other modelling approaches.
- Using AI/ML methods to address emergent properties.
- Integrating empirical models with the theoretical framework.
- Developing reproducible, open-source workflows.
- Contributing to publications, conferences and scientific dissemination.
Who can apply?
Applicants should have a PhD in one of the following areas, or a closely related field:
- Computational Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Complex Systems
- Data Science
- Physics
- Related disciplines
The candidate should also demonstrate:
- Strong skills in data acquisition, cleaning and statistical analysis of heterogeneous biological datasets.
- Experience with machine learning and/or AI methods, including incomplete data.
- Experience modelling biological systems with reaction networks, cellular automata, PDEs or multi-agent systems.
- Strong programming skills, particularly Python or a similar language.
- Experience developing reproducible and open-source workflows, preferably using GitHub.
An interest in bioelectricity, morphogenesis, synthetic living systems or related areas is considered an advantage.
Milestones & deliverables
The project includes several research milestones:
M12
Empirical atlas + curated dataset repository on GitHub; conference paper on empirical signatures of problem spaces.
M16
Article on “Empirical Signatures of Problem Spaces and Metasystem Transitions in Biological Systems”.
M21
Phenomenological models + AI-enhanced toolkit; article on “Phenomenological Models of Problem Space Interlocking”.
M33
Problem-space simulation engine on GitHub and contribution to an integrated framework for biological emergent organization.
Ongoing
Presentations at major conferences in the field.
Conditions & how to apply
The position is a 33-month full-time contract, starting in October 2026, based at CLEA, Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
The researcher is expected to:
- Work at least 75% of the time on-site in Brussels.
- Be willing and available to travel to international conferences.
- Participate in daily collaboration with the PI.
- Attend weekly meetings with work-package researchers.
- Provide monthly input from the project advisor.
Application
Applicants should submit:
- CV
- Short motivation letter
- Names of two referees
Applications should be sent to:
Application: VUB Careers – Academic Personnel & Researchers
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Deadline
📅 Rolling deadline
There is no fixed closing date indicated in the announcement. Applications should therefore be submitted as soon as possible.
Why this opportunity stands out
This is a particularly interdisciplinary postdoctoral position for researchers interested in going beyond conventional computational biology.
The project brings together:
Computational Biology · Bioinformatics · Complex Systems · AI/ML · Biological Modelling · Systems Biology · Philosophy of Science
The combination of heterogeneous biological data, mechanistic modelling, AI-enhanced tools and theoretical work on emergent biological organization makes this an unusual opportunity for someone working at the interface between quantitative biology and complex systems.
Official source
Center Leo Apostel (CLEA) – Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Last checked: August 28, 2026