Hybrid Post doctoral researcher (Ghent, 9000) at Universiteit Gent

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

The Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN) group of Ghent University, led by Prof. Jo Dewulf, welcomes a candidate for a 1 year postdoctoral position on advancing environmental sustainability and circularity assessment for industrial bio-based systems. You will be appointed within the framework of research projects, such as the multidisciplinary Horizon Europe project “ESCIB” (Environmental Sustainability and Circularity criteria for Industrial Bio-based systems), including academia, industry and consultancies, funded by the European Commission. In addition, you will be contributing to ongoing teaching activities by STEN.

The ESCIB project aims to develop a new dynamic method for assessing the environmental sustainability and circularity of bio-based systems at various levels of technology readiness (low to high TRL). The urgent need to mitigate climate change, to stop biodiversity loss and to move from fossil to renewable resources creates multiple, sometimes conflicting, interests related to the use of biobased resources. There is a need for both new technologies that enable more sustainable use of biobased resources, but also assessment methods that enable a robust and forward-looking impact assessment of existing and new biobased solutions. You will assist in the development of the ESCIB methodology, contributing specifically to the evaluation of environmental and circular performances of industrial bio-based systems within the EU.

In this position, you will work in close collaboration with other STEN colleagues and international partners of the ESCIB consortium, i.e. PhD researchers and experts at European universities and bio-based companies.

The scientific findings should lead to publications in international peer reviewed journals and should be presented at international conferences.

The start date is planned at January 1st 2026. The duration is 1 year.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate in bioscience engineering - environmental technology, or similar

• The degree requirements must be met at the start of the appointment;
• You have an interest and proven record in scientific research;
• You can operate both independently and in a multidisciplinary team;
• You have organisational/managerial skills and are highly motivated;
• You have good writing and presentation skills;
• You master the English language, written and orally, in an academic context;
• Having experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research is essential;
• You have experience with LCA software such as SimaPro, openLCA, GaBi, etc.
• You have experience with the development and comparison of different value chain scenarios;
• Experience and interest in bio-based industries is a plus. 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period from 01/01/2026 – 31/12/2026.
• Your contract will start on 1/01/2026 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4 (if you hold a doctorate).  Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

INTERESTED? 

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and a transcript of your academic record (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field “other documents”: a reference letter, an overview of your study results
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Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Jo.Dewulf [email protected], +32(0)9/ 264 59 49). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via [email protected] or +32 9 264 34 36