Job ID: 29791
→ Apply before 19/04/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→ Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
→ Department: BW20 – Omgeving
→ Occupancy rate: 100%
→ Number of positions: 1
→ Type of employment: Contract of limited duration
→ Term of assignment:
→ Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→ Required diploma: PhD
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
CausalHeat (FWO) is a research project that aims to quantify and explain the causal dynamics underlying dry and humid hot extremes by disentangling the interactions between land, atmosphere, and ecosystem processes. It focuses on identifying the dominant drivers of compound heat events, assessing how these drivers propagate through ecohydrological systems, and evaluating their impacts on ecosystem resilience and vulnerability across different biomes. Using information-theoretic causal inference approaches and observational data, the project investigates how vegetation–climate feedbacks shape the development, persistence, and spatial variability of hot extremes, ultimately providing a framework to improve prediction of heat events and their implications for water, carbon, and energy cycles under climate change.
The role of the candidate selected for this position will be to perform research as well as to manage and help with the coordination of the project. The researcher will also participate in the development of the scientific tools, the dissemination and promotion of the results via publications, project website and conferences, and the conception of new avenues to extend the research in the project and the scientific line of the research group.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- PhD in the domains of Engineering, Climate, Hydrology or Computer Sciences
- Proficiency in numerical modelling and computer programming, including Python
- Previous experience analyzing large datasets
- Excellent level of English, both oral and written
- Creative, critical and analytical mindset
- Capable of working in groups
- Previous experience supervising PhD students
WHAT WE CAN OFFER
- We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period of 2 years.
- Your contract will start in September 2026.
- Remuneration determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4. 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, a 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 an overview of your study results (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 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.
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. Diego Miralles (diego.miralles@UGent.be). 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 selecties@ugent.be.
