Doctoral Assistant (postdoc researcher with teaching duty) in Environmental Technology

Introduction

Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC; http://www.ugent.be/globalcampus/en) is an integrated campus of Ghent University, Belgium, and the first European university to be part of the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) in Incheon, South Korea. Ghent University is one of the top 100 universities in the world (ARWU ranking, US News), and in the top 100 for the subjects Biotechnology and Environmental Science (2024 QS subject ranking #46 in global). Ghent University Global Campus is an equal opportunities employer. 

Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology (GREAT), formerly known as Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) is one of the six existing research and education centers of GUGC. It was established in 2015 with the aim to deliver scientific outcomes that will have a real impact on consolidation of environmental issues, themes, and topics, and to do this under one umbrella to highlight their interconnectedness and interdisciplinary nature. GREAT targets to pioneer at green chemistry and environmental technology to tackle the grand challenges in environmental remediation and sustainable development. In the 9 years’ development, GREAT was well-equipped with state-of-art instruments for environmental and material science research, published >300 papers and received national and international funding support (e.g. NRF, KEITI, NERI, BOF, FWO, Horizon2020, etc.), and built strong collaborations with Korea national and international top universities.

Job Summary

Full-Time Doctoral Assitant (postdoc researcher with teaching duty) in Environmental Technology – Ghent University Global Campus

Department: Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology (KR01 – Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University Global Campus, Korea)

Degree: PhD in Chemistry and/or Chemical/Environmental Engineering

Contract: 1 year (renewable subject to performance). 

Occupancy rate: 100%

Vacancy Type: Assistant Academic Staff (AAP)

Last application date: September 30, 2024 (Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as the position will be filled upon finding the right candidate)

Starting date: November 1, 2024 (negotiable)

Scientific Supervisor: Prof. dr. ir. Di Wu (di.wu@ghent.ac.kr)

Job Position

Ghent University Global Campus, South Korea, has a vacancy for a Postdoc reseacher (with Teaching Duty) in Environmental Technology in the Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology at Ghent University Global Campus, starting from November 1, 2024 (open to negotiation). The request(s) and standard(s) for the Postdoc in GUGC is equivalent to Ghent University home campus, Belgium. The terms of employment at GUGC are comparable to those at the campus in Ghent, Belgium. However, free guesthouse accommodation and a yearly travel budget are foreseen. GUGC is an equal opportunities employer. 

As a Doctoral assistant, the Postdoc candidate is supposed to spend (maximal) 30% of his/her time in teaching activities pertaining to undergraduate courses that include the topics Chemistry (organic/inorganic/green chemistry), Engineering and Environmental realted courses (Water Treatment, Microbial Reuse...). These activities include supervision of exercise/tutorial (wet/dry) sessions, preparing and grading tests/exams and the supervision of bachelor projects, etc.

Apart from the teaching activities, the Postdoc candidate is supposed to perform research in the areas of environmental process technology for sustainable development and circular economy, for instance, but not limited to: 

1. Integrated biorefinery technology: Developing novel process for biomass and plastic upcycling into biofuels and chemicals within a circular economy, upgrade bio-oils to low-cost aviation fuels using carbon-supported catalysts; Design sustainable products and processes with LCA, and devise decarbonization strategies for challenging sectors.

2. Artifical photo-/electro-catalytic technology: Develop and optimize photo-/electo-catalytic systems for the conversion of CO2, N(O) into valuable fuels (e.g., methane, methanol, ammonia) and for hydrogen production; Develop and analyze suitable photo/electrocatalyst materials employing environmentally-friendly synthesis/remediation techniques.

Job Qualification (Profile of the Candidate)

• Hold, or expect to hold a PhD degree in one of the following disciplines: Chemistry or Chemical/Environmental Engineering.
• Have solid and relevant lab experimental experiences in the aforementioned research area; have top-tier journal publication(s) in environmental science.
• Have an excellent command of English, and good academic writing and presentation skills – GUGC’s working medium is English, working fluenthy English is a must.
• Team spirit and inquisitive, self-motive attitude as well as independent learning/research ability are essential; can take leadership among team members.

Job Description

• Assist his/her supervisor(s) in teaching undergraduate courses at Ghent University Global Campus, Korea (general chemistry, engineering).
• Conduct research in the area of environmental process technology, upcycling waste to chemicals and life cycle assessment. 
• The detailed working plan will be explored upon the background and interests of the individual candidate (e.g. supporting fellowship application, transfering technology for application and commercialization).
• To assist his/her supervisor(s) with tasks in ongoing and future R&D projects and research-led educations (e.g. Master/Bachelor/High school student(s) teaching activities).

Selection Criteria

• Scientific background and knowledge
• Working experiences

Application Documents

• Full resume (CV), including at least 2 references’ contacts
• Research statement (up to 4-page, including 3 future study plans)
• Teaching statement (up to 2-page)
• Others (subjected to the supervisor’s requirement in the later stage)
  • Copy of the certificates and transcripts for education  
  • Transcripts (overview of study results and ranking) 

The documents shall be merged into a single PDF file (< 10MB) and sent to 

Di.wu@ghent.ac.kr (Subject line: GREAT_Application_Surname). Please kindly noted only the selected candidate(s) will be contacted for the next step.

Application Process and Interview

• Interviews (in-person or online) will take place in stages from the first available time.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as the position will be filled upon finding the right candidate.

We reserve the right to hold applications on file for potential future job openings.

For submission of your file and any inquiries, please contact us via e-mail: Di.wu@ghent.ac.kr 

Selection Process

• CV Screening -> Interview(s) (including oral evaluation and/or written evaluation) -> Internal committee -> Approval -> Acceptance Notice to the candidate selected. 

Compensation & Benefits for the candidate selected.

• Basic Term of the Contract

-1 year-contract term (renewable upon committee’s evaluation,) 

• Salary

-starts from Gross Annual Salary 46,624,146 KRW (will be evaluated based on the research track record)

• Housing unit or Housing Allowance

A single unit of Dormitory operated by Incheon Global Campus (IGC) is provided for foreigners. If the selected candidate is a permanent resident holder or has a Korean nationality, the housing unit shall not be provided by IGC, but the Housing Allowance of 725,000 KRW monthly.

• Private Health Insurances

-Marsh private health insurance provided, including basic medical reimbursements

• Extensive annual paid leave and holidays

- The selected candidate shall have 35 days paid annual leave per year.

- Additional holiday from Christmas (Dec 25) to New Year (Jan 1).

• Others

-To be discussed