ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 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 60 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.

Job description

We are looking for a dynamic early-stage researcher with experience (either last year predoc or early 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 nitrogen and carbon research line, including the following tasks: (i) supervising (joint) PhD students developing their thesis on nitrogen research; (ii) working on research projects linked to this research line.

Specifically connected to managerial tasks, the new researcher will take a proactive approach to the work package lead and assist in project management of the running Horizon Europe NutriBudget project. In this Horizon Europe project, UGent is a lead partner, and responsible for creation of mitigation measure catalogue that aims to help agriculture to intensify sustainably in order to meet the demands of optimising yields without compromising environmental integrity or public health. The hired researcher will therefore also take on an active role in the project’s activities.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You are interested in and motivated by Bioresource Recovery in the broad sense and nutrient (nitrogen) management in agriculture
• You have a relevant background in nitrogen recycling and re-use, with published research experience in the biogeochemical fate and behavior of nitrogen in the soil (mineralization dynamics, microbial community mapping,…)
• You have mastered the English language, both in writing skills and oral presentations
• You have the required communicative skills to interact independently with the scientific, business and farming communities
• You either are recently graduated as a PhD in bioscience engineering or are expecting to graduate in 2023 (early stage postdoc)
• You have personal practical experience in managerial support to European Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe projects – i.e. experience in developing deliverables, interacting with consortium partners to meet deadlines and achieve required reporting quality
• In frame of international research community development, established professional contacts outside of the European Union in the field of nutrient recycling can be considered a plus. Target regions of interest in this regards for expansion beyond the EU in this frame is in South-East Asia (China, South-Korea,…).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of limited duration
• Your contract will start on 01/02/2023 and end on 31/12/2023
• Possibility to further develop your academic output, in alignment with the projects you manage & support
• Embedding in a research group of young dynamic applied experts, consisting out of >60 motivated people
• Integration in a strong, sociable management team of young highly skilled professionals
• Involvement in European projects with research partners throughout Europe
• An innovative hot-topic research scope with clear practical applications
• The possibility to develop a broad network
• Stimulation to self-improvement by encouraging participation in courses, workshops and conferences
• Continued collaboration after your position at UGent: we maintain strong ties with all researchers coming and leaving our group, creating networking and collaboration opportunities for your further career
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1 to WM4 (if you hold a Master’s degree) or 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, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

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.

Send the following documents

(A) Professional résumé (CV), including a list of publications

(B) Motivation letter, highlighting (European) project management experience

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview in the course of January with foreseen to start at the earliest convenience thereafter (based on candidate availability, but as soon as possible from our perspective).

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 our FAQ.