Professor in Data Retrieval in Decentralized Environments

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world-class, open, pluralistic and socially engaged university. Our credo is 'Dare to Think': we are a haven for courageous thinkers. 

With one of the most progressive career models for academics in the world, Ghent University evaluates its scholars not only by the length of their publication list but also by the impact they pursue, what they achieve and how they collaborate.

Are you a good ‘fit’ with our university? Discover here our vision on education and research.

ASSIGNMENT

The faculty of Engineering and Architecture has a vacancy for a professorship, starting from September 1, 2026. It concerns a part-time (10%) position as Professor in the rank of Assistant Professor (docent) or Associate Professor (hoofddocent) in the Department of Electronics and Information Systems, charged with academic teaching, scientific research and institutional and societal engagement in the field of Data Retrieval in Decentralized Environments.

More information about this vacancy

Academic research

You conduct innovative and internationally recognized research in the field of Data Retrieval in Decentralized Environments, which pushes the boundaries of how data can be accessed, exchanged, integrated, and understood at scale. Your work will not only deepen theoretical understanding of retrieval models and interfaces but oversees how these theories are translated into robust environments that function within the complex realities of data exchange.

You will take the lead in initiating collaborations, securing competitive research funding for impactful use cases, and aligning diverse stakeholders behind concrete projects that demonstrate societal and economic relevance.

Academic education

You lecture course units in the field of Data Retrieval in Decentralized Environments. In these courses, you draw on your in-depth knowledge of web and data technologies, combined with the ability to translate theoretical insights into practical applications. By encouraging the integration of conceptual and applied thinking, you prepare students for effective collaboration in interdisciplinary and international environments. In addition, you supervise master’s theses on topics related to data and the web.

Institutional and societal engagement

You contribute to the institutional functioning of Ghent University through participation in departmental activities and faculty committees. Your expertise supports cross-departmental collaboration and helps shape the university’s broader strategies in research and education.

PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA

• You have a strong CV with international visibility in the requested field:

• • your research achievements have contributed to the development of the field (e.g. publications, software, or other academic and non-academic achievements);
  • you have applied your expertise in current and high-impact use cases;
  • you are capable to formulate research projects, to acquire the necessary funding for them, and to execute them successfully;
  • you are capable to build your own research team, and to advise PhD students;
  • you are didactically skilled to develop academic competences with students;
  • international mobility and/or collaboration is recommended. 

• You work in a collaborative way and integrate smoothly into the research group/department. You look for opportunities inside and outside the university and actively use your network to do so.
• You show leadership potential or you have leadership experience. More information about leadership at Ghent University.
• If you don't know Dutch, you are willing to learn it. This will be assessed during the selection interview. When taking up a teaching assignment, you must master the language of instruction of the course. More information about the language requirements and appropriate language guidance at Ghent University.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Taking into account the assessment of academic potential and the merits of the selected candidate, the degree of assistant professor (tenure track) or associate professor is awarded.

We offer you an appointment with renewable duration for a maximum of 6 years.

Pay attention: a part-time assignment of a certain degree of the professorial staff cannot be combined with a part-time assignment of a different degree of the professorial staff within the same institution.

The recruitment is from September 1, 2026.

OUR OFFER

Ghent University has developed a new inspiring career model for professors. Academic freedom and academics' responsibility, talents and ambitions act as a natural drive to advance their careers, as part of teamwork.

Ghent University is specifically committed to guiding international professors in the process of coming to Ghent. At Ghent University, our view is as broad as possible, because internationalisation creates synergies within and outside the institution.

We offer you a wide range of employee benefits. The basic teacher training and courses in 'Dutch' and 'English' for foreign-speaking lecturers are just a few of our wide range of courses and training.

DIVERSITY

Ghent University pursues an equal opportunities policy and values everyone's talent, regardless of gender, age, philosophy of life, skin color, sexual orientation, migration background or disability. We encourage everyone to apply.

Interruptions in research careers and/or atypical career paths (e.g. relevant experience outside the academic sector) will be taken into account when assessing the application.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The selection committee will carry out an initial, substantive screening of the admissible applications on the file. This assessment takes into consideration both the candidate's merits and potential.

Ghent University emphasizes the qualitative assessment of academic performance. Therefore, candidates are asked in the application form to mention their most important academic or non-academic achievements with the most impact.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in either an on-site or virtual visit to the research group, including an informal meeting with, amongst others, the department chair and the head of the research group.

For shortlisted candidates, the following steps in the selection procedure shall consist of at least:

• a selection interview in which the vision and planning regarding education, research, and institutional and societal engagement as well as the embedding in the bigger picture are discussed; to this end, these candidates will also be asked to prepare a statement outlining their vision as well as a well-defined research plan;
• a trial lesson on a subject in the relevant field;
• a screening of leadership and interpersonal skills.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate or a diploma or certificate that is recognized as equivalent.
• You have at least two years of postdoctoral experience on September 1, 2026. This term of two years is determined by the date mentioned on the required diploma.
• Your application meets the formal requirements (submitted on time, complete: with a completed application form and a copy of the diploma, delivered via e-recruitment).

HOW TO APPLY

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

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘Application form’: the completed application form + any attachments merged into one pdf file. Additional documents will later be requested from shortlisted candidates.
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of your doctoral 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.
• In the field ‘Certificate of equivalence’: only for diplomas awarded outside the European Union: certificate of equivalence (NARIC) (if already in your possession). For diplomas awarded in the UK before January 31st of 2020, a certificate of equivalence is not required.

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

MORE INFORMATION

For further information regarding this vacancy, please contact Professor Dick Botteldooren, chair of the faculty selection committee (dick.botteldooren@ugent.be, +32 9 2649968).

Vragen over online solliciteren? Lees de FAQ of contacteer ons via selecties@ugent.be.