HR Business Partner – Neuroscience Research Center

About the role

VIB is hiring an HR Business Partner for the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Neuroscience (CNL), a hands-on role based in Leuven close to the research center and its leaders. You act as the strategic people partner to the center's leadership team in a complex, international research environment, working closely with center leadership, lab leaders, VIB's central HR team and university partners. You report to the HR Director.

Key responsibilities

• Support leaders in building high-performing, inclusive teams and advise them on people questions, difficult conversations and team issues
• Contribute to talent acquisition, onboarding, performance, well-being, workforce planning and employee relations
• Identify trends and risks such as turnover and absenteeism, and work with leaders and partners on sustainable solutions
• Use employee feedback, surveys and exit insights to define data-informed improvements
• Act as a strategic partner to center management on HR matters and ensure compliance and proper documentation of people decisions
• Translate HR strategy into practical tools and processes, and bring the center's needs into VIB-wide HR initiatives
• Foster collaboration between VIB HR, the center and KU Leuven

Required profile

• Master's degree or equivalent experience, with at least five years in an HR Business Partner, HR Manager, People Partner or comparable advisory role
• Experience advising senior leaders on complex people, team and organizational matters
• Experience in an international, academic or research environment is an asset
• Sound judgement, discretion and integrity, and a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach
• Excellent command of English and Dutch, written and spoken

What we offer

• A full-time, open-ended contract with a competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working, including up to two days of home working per week when the role allows
• Opportunities for continuous professional development

Applications are submitted through the VIB online career portal with a CV and motivation letter, reviewed on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is found.