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VLIZ recruits: Fish Behavioral Ecology Researcher
VLIZ - Flanders Marine Institute
Posted on Jan 5, 2026
Join our vibrant team within VLIZ and become an inspiring researcher, striving for healthy fish populations.
The Marine Observation Centre (MOC) is dedicated to performing essential, long-term, and multidisciplinary observations of the marine environment, enhancing our understanding of the dynamics and functioning of marine and coastal ecosystems. MOC focuses on developing, operating, and optimizing innovative, integrated, and cost-effective observation systems to gather high-quality data crucial for marine research. The open position falls under the research line ‘Animal movement and behavioral ecology’. This team aims to improve protection and conservation of our aquatic animals through fundamental and applied science on movement, habitat use and behavior of the aquatic species in relation to their (changing) environment. This is done through collaborative data acquisition, analysis and modelling on local and European scale.
VLIZ is hiring, for immediate employment, a researcher/research project manager to coordinate and support our contribution to a number of European projects. Tasks involve (but are not limited to): 1) support the digital innovation and building tools in the European digital Twin Ocean for aquatic animal movement observations and analyses (DTOTrack, DTO-Bioflow); 2) help maintain the Belgian Permanent Acoustic Receiver Network and assure efficient dataflow towards the European Tracking Network database; 3) support fish tagging activities at sea (Elasmon); 4) help develop indicators for fish to assess and protect ecosystem health (NorTrack, Elasmon).
OUR OFFER
- A challenging position with a contract for immediate employment with a fixed term until March 2027 (with a positive outlook for extension) in a vibrant and international environment at Innovocean Campus.
- A competitive remuneration package based on the candidate's qualifications and experience according to the salary scales set forth by the Flemish Government on 01-01-2009.
- Additional benefits: holiday allowance, end of year allowance, meal vouchers, bicycle allowance, free public transport between home and work.
- A good work-life balance through a generous leave package, flexible working hours within a 38-hour working week.
- The possibility to work partly from home after an induction period.
- Opportunities for personal development (training).
YOUR TASKS
You will work closely with internal teams, project partners, and stakeholders, managing the VLIZ
commitments in various European projects related to biodiversity observation, as well as supporting ongoing research into fish movement behavior in the Belgian Part of the North Sea and beyond.
- You conduct general project management in consultation with international project team.
- You lead the project activities for VLIZ: internally managing and following up with project
employees for specific tasks, adjusting and delegating if necessary. - You report on the progress of the project as per the place in the organization and project
partners (working hours, tasks performed, status, deadlines) + communication at national
and international level. - You organize, participate, report on and follow up on project and network meetings, workshops and conferences.
- You coordinate and/or execute proposal writing linked to national and international funding programs.
- You coordinate and/or execute tagging campaigns, receiver maintenance campaigns and/or scientific experiments. This includes preparations, operations at sea and post-campaign follow-up.
- You support the dataflows towards ETN and development of tools for fish tracking data within the European Digital Twin Ocean.
- You coordinate and/or execute data-analyses and manuscript writing for A1 publications.
- You coordinate and/or execute development of an EOV sub variable for fish based on animal tracking data.
- You contribute to outreach activities to stakeholders and the general public in line with the
VLIZ communication strategy.
For each function, VLIZ considers enthusiastic involvement, service minded, excellent professionalism and integrity as important characteristics.
YOUR PROFILE
- PhD or master’s degree in exact sciences (e.g. biology) or applied sciences (bioscience engineering).
- Highly motivated professionals capable of managing complex R&I-projects autonomously,
while also collaborating effectively within a team. - Strong affinity for marine sciences and biodiversity research.
- Strong skills in organization, planning and management of projects.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Willingness to spend time at sea for multiple days.
- Willing to work in an international context.
Following skills or experiences are considered an asset:
- Experience with scientific project management and project writing.
- Experience in animal tracking research.
- Animal Handling Certification (Felasa C).
- Experience in tool development in digital twins.
- Proven experience in data analytics in R or Python.
- Proven publication and report writing skills.
- Knowledge of data handling or management.
- Sea-going experience.
ABOUT US
Over the last 25 years, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) has become a knowledge institution
indispensable to the marine research landscape. What started as an institute focusing on science support, has evolved into a national and international point of contact for marine research. VLIZ initiates and carries out multidisciplinary research and supports marine experts by providing research infrastructure, data, information and knowledge. VLIZ supports the blue economy and reaches out to a broad public. VLIZ further broadens its marine horizons and aims at becoming a world player in the field of marine and coastal research.
A stimulating working environment forms the base of our flourishing knowledge institute. The well-being of our employees comes first. VLIZ is looking for colleagues who, with their passion and knowledge, want to strengthen our growing institute and face the blue challenges of the future.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information concerning this vacancy, please contact Jan Reubens: jan.reubens@vliz.be.
DOES THIS VACANCY APPEAL TO YOU?
Send in your cover letter and CV no later than 25 January 2026 by filling in this form.
VLIZ promotes equality and diversity in the workplace. You will be recruited based on competencies. Qualities of people are decisive, regardless of gender, religion, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation or any disability.
Do you have a disability? Please attach a document to your application so that we can adapt our selection procedure where necessary. This information will be handled with discretion.
PROCEDURE
Based on the received cover letters and CV’s; a select group of candidates will be invited for a job interview. You will be informed by email. The job interviews take place in the offices of VLIZ on Tuesday, February 10th.