Vaidotas Urbelis graduated from Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political science, where he received a BA in Political Science (1997) and a MA in European Studies (1999). During this period he also studied at Hull University in the United Kingdom and Groningen University, Faculty of Law in the Netherlands. In 2004 he received his PhD in Social Science from Vilnius University.

Vaidotas Urbelis joined the Ministry of Defence in 1998 as a senior expert in the Defence Policy and Planning Department. In this capacity he was responsible for preparation of the first Lithuanian Military Strategy and other defence policy planning documents.

In 2002, Vaidotas Urbelis assumed the duties of Director of the Defence Policy and Planning Department. He also headed the Change Management Group which proposed and later implemented reforms of the Ministry of Defence and subordinate headquarters.

From 2005 until 2010 he served in Brussels as Defence Adviser representing the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence at NATO and the European Union. 

Vaidotas Urbelis returned to the Ministry of Defence in 2010 and became Director of the Euro-Atlantic Cooperation Department, at the same time performing the functions of Policy Director. In this capacity, he was the main coordinator at the Ministry of Defence of Lithuania's Presidency of the European Council.

In 2014 he was made permanent Defence Policy Director with responsibility for defence policy, international operations, bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

In addition to his official responsibilities, Dr. Urbelis has pursued an academic career teaching at the Lithuanian Military Academy (2001-2012) and at the Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science (1999-2011).

Vaidotas Urbelis is an author and contributor of a number of scientific publications and books on defence and deterrence policy, intelligence reform, NATO's nuclear posture and foreign policy issues.