Job ID: 29892
→ Apply before 15/05/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→ Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
→ Department: BW24 – Groene Chemie en Technologie
→ Occupancy rate:100%
→ Number of positions: 1
→ Type of employment: Contract of limited duration
→ Term of assignment: 6 maanden
→ Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→ Required diploma:PhD
Introduction
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.
Our research group at UGent consists of 20 enthusiastic researchers led by Prof. Erik Meers. We are currently actively involved in 15 running European projects, several of which as the lead partner. For a fluent organisation of the management and execution of the research, the team relies on a management structure consisting of postdocs (research line managers) and other supporting functions. In order to support the growing activities we enjoy in the frame of circular economy research, we are looking to expand our R&D management structure.
YOUR TASKS
We are looking for a dynamic postdoctoral researcher with management skills to support our growing team and management group on Bioresource Recovery. The new postdoc will be responsible for working and supporting the biobased fertiliser research line, including the following tasks: (i) supervising (joint) PhD students developing their thesis on agronomic and environmental assessment of biobased fertilisers; (ii) working on research projects linked to this research line.
Specifically connected to managerial tasks, the new postdoc will take a proactive approach to the work package lead and assist in project management of the running Horizon Europe project Greenhood and the Interreg project ReJuice. Within the Greenhood project, UGent leads the Flemish activities across the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt river basin. These efforts focus on implementing solutions to reduce nitrate concentrations in Flemish waters. One of the solutions is to apply precision fertilisation combined with RENURE (Recovered Nitrogen from Manure) fertilisers on arable land. The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for conducting a 2-year field trial, analysing the results, and reporting findings through project deliverables. In ReJuice, UGent is the lead partner and also responsible for assessing the fertiliser potential of (processed) green juices by evaluating their nutrient contents, their mineralization rates under controlled conditions in the absence of plants, and their agronomic potential in pot trials with diverse plants. The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for conducting these experiments, analysis the results, and reporting the finds through scientific publications and/or project reports. The hired postdoc will also take on an active role in coordinating and is expected to conduct their experiments independently, contacting the projects’ consortium whenever needed for planning their activities.
Additionally, this new postdoc will play a key role in bridging the host research group, the RE-SOURCE lab, with Chinese universities and research institutes, thus contributing to the development of the International Thematic Network and the EU-China collaboration projects coordinated by the RE-SOURCE lab.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- You have a relevant PhD degree in biobased sciences and/or bio-engineering.
- You are motivated by Bioresource Recovery in the broad sense and biobased value chains related to residues & wastes from agri-food activities.
- You have a background of nutrient recycling in ecosystems and environmental assessment; experience with pot and field trials is required, knowledge and analytical experience of emerging pollutants such as microplastics and trace elements (such as Zinc, Copper, Iodine, etc.) is a plus.
- You have mastered both the English and Chinese languages, both in writing skills and oral presentations. Basic knowledge of Dutch is preferable but not mandatory.
- You have the required communicative skills to interact independently with the scientific, business and farming communities.
- You have experience working in EU or regionally funded projects with international and multidisciplinary consortia.
- You take responsibility for managing and executing your project in a well-structured, thorough way, both by solving problems independently with good time management and by instructing and collaborating with others.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period from 6 months
- Your contract will start on 01/07/2026 at the earliest.
- Your remuneration will be 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, 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 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.
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. E. Meers (erik.meers@UGent.be, +32(0)478 78 60 98). 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.
