Post-doctoral researcher

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

• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
• You will be employed on a VLAIO-funded Catalisti Moonshot innovation project BIOVALCOR (duration 3 years). BIOVALCOR aims to demonstrate an integrated, waste-free biorefinery concept using rapeseed meal, a byproduct of rapeseed oil production, as a raw material. The overarching goal is to achieve full valorization of all rapeseed meal components, namely proteins, hydroxycinnamic acids, carbohydrates, lignin, and lipids.
• You will be responsible for the lignin part, i.e. conducting experiments on the extraction and catalytic depolymerization of lignin from deproteinized rapeseed meal using green solvents.
• You will be responsible for the characterization of lignin and the resulting (depolymerized) lignin products (oligomers, dimers/monomers) using various analytical techniques.
• You will be responsible for the development of a stable, (continuous) catalytic depolymerization process using well-chosen or synthesized stable catalysts.
• You will work in a team with various partners (knowledge and research institutions) and with an advisory board of companies.
• You will contribute to new project proposals in the area of heterogeneous catalysis within the INCAT research group, typically in the area of biomass conversion and/or valorization (see also https://incat.ugent.be
• You will contribute to the guidance of junior PhD students.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate (obtained max. 6 years ago. This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma) in  Chemical Engineering Technology, Chemical Engineering, or Bioengineering in Chemistry, or related field.
• You are highly interested in scientific and/or project-based research and services.
• You have experience with heterogeneous catalysis in the area of biomass conversion, and preferably in the area of lignin depolymerization.
• You have experience in catalyst development.
• You preferably have practical experience with biomass extraction.
• You are skilled in the use of various characterization techniques.
• You have excellent communication skills.
• You have excellent presentation skills.
• You have very good planning skills.
• You have very good writing skills.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 1 year.
• Your contract will start on 1/04/2026 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1. 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 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 and an overview of your study results.

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. An Verberckmoes (An.Verberckmoes@UGent.be, +32(0)9/331 18 86). 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.