postdoctoral 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

The Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN) group at Ghent University welcomes a candidate for a full-time postdoctoral position on environmental sustainability of critical raw materials-based technologies. Also involvement in projects other than related to critical raw materials is possible. The postdoctoral researcher will function within several EU and national projects.

It is expected to contribute to the research management of the projects and in specific scientific aspects, such as employing Life Cycle Assessment, material flow analysis, calculating material footprints. A smooth collaboration between research organizations, universities and companies is needed in this context.

Next to these projects related to critical raw materials, it is expected that the applicant can support running and upcoming projects within the research group. Overall, the applicant's required skills should cover life cycle assessment, circularity assessment, and MFA. Affinity with combining LCA with other sustainability assessment methods such as criticality evaluation and SSbD is of high added value.

In this postdoc position, you will work in close collaboration with other STEN colleagues and (inter)national partners of the related projects.

The proposed starting date is 15 October 2026 and contract is foreseen for two years. Prolongation is possible after a positive evaluation, as sustainability research on critical raw materials-based technologies is an important cornerstone of STEN's activities.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a PhD in environmental engineering, bioscience engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, environmental technology or equivalent.

Other profile requirements:

• The degree requirements must be met at the start of the appointment;
• You have an engineering background and/or affinity with sustainability analysis methods, such as life cycle assessment.
• You have understanding of or have affinity with technologies that employ critical raw materials
• You have an interest in scientific research;
• You can operate both independently and in a multidisciplinary team;
• You have organisational/managerial skills and are highly motivated;
• You have good writing and presentation skills;
• You master the English language, written and orally, in an academic context; Dutch is an asset.
• Having experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research is essential;
• You have a critical and analytical attitude, good communication skills and a sense of initiative.
• You have experience with LCA software such as openLCA, Gabi, SimaPro, etc. and LCA databases (e.g. ecoinvent).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period of 2 years
•  Your contract will start on 15/10/2026 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by 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, 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, 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. Jo Dewulf ([email protected], +32(0)9/264 59 49). 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 [email protected].