Postdoctoral researcher INCITE (27724)

→  Apply before 27/09/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→  Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
→  Department: BW25 - Biotechnologie
→  Occupancy rate: 100%
→  Number of positions: 1
→  Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration
→  Term of assignment: 
→  Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→  Required diploma: PhD

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.

The Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET) (www.CMET.UGent.be) is part of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering at Ghent University, a top 100 university in most rankings. CMET has over 40 years of experience in the study of applied microbial processes and microbial ecology in the contexts of waste(water) treatment, bioremediation, bioproduction, bioelectrochemistry and resource recovery. It is one of the top performing centres worldwide in its field and links excellent basic science with application, leading to high level peer-reviewed outputs besides commercial outcomes including 7 spin-off companies over time. Reactor and process developments go from millilitre scale to full scale industrial. Prof. Ramon Ganigué leads a group of 12 PhD students and 4 postdocs, and will be the UGent promotor of this PhD project. CMET is a very multidisciplinary team and has a very international atmosphere.

YOUR TASKS

You will be mostly employed in the INCITE project, an R&D project funded by the “OSIP - Sustainable Future: Advancing Circular Life Support Systems” of ESA, which aims to develop a novel lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment technology that combines extremophilic enzymes and physico-chemical pretreatments. Your tasks will include: executing the project tasks in the laboratory, preparing periodic reports, managing communications with the funding body and providing support to other ongoing research projects.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Background & skills

• PhD in molecular biology or equivalent, with emphasis on enzymology.
• Hands-on experience in handling and cultivation of (extremophilic) microorganisms (especially fungi, but also bacteria, yeasts, and archaea).
• Experience in pre-treatment (mechanical, chemical, physical, thermochemical) and hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, especially agro-industrial waste.
• Experience with CAZymes in production (heterologous or not), purification, and biochemical characterization.
• Ability to rigorously design experiments and to perform experiments under well-controlled conditions. Experience in experimental design is a plus.
• Ability to work with analytics, such as IC, HPLC & GC, as well as experience with microbial analyses. Experience in analytical techniques such as LC-MS is desirable.
• Strong publication track record.
• Ability to perform in-depth and critical data analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with team members from different backgrounds and in different research areas.
• Excellent skills for time management and the ability to meet objectives within strictly set deadlines.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration.
• Your contract will start on 15/10/24 or at its earliest convenience.
• 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, 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.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Ramon Ganigué (Ramon.Ganigue@UGent.be). 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 or +32 9 264 34 36