Postdoctoral fellow – Department of Green Chemistry and Technology

Job title:

Postdoctoral fellow – Department of Green Chemistry and Technology

Company:

Job description

Offer DescriptionLast application date Jun 08, 2024 00:00Department LA24 – Department of Green Chemistry and TechnologyContract Limited durationDegree PhD in Environmental technologyOccupancy rate 100%Vacancy type Research staffJob descriptionABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITYGhent 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 85 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.For the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering we are looking for a m/f/xPostdoctoral fellowYOUR JOBThe position is offered in the laboratory for Circular Process Engineering on campus Kortrijk under the guidance of Prof. Steven De Meester. The work will take place in a young and dynamic team of about 22 PhD students, 4 postdocs and 4 technicians focusing on better chemical engineering in the circular economy, with a focus on pre-treatment and downstream processing. The team works on recycling organic waste and polymeric waste, including packaging and textiles.Specifically this vacancy is in the frame of the “PROSPER” project. Indeed, in the second half of 2024, in a consortium of 18 parties led by Ghent University, will embark on a Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking project “PROSPER” on the sorting and recycling of bio-based plastics. In this project, Ghent University together with the NTCP (NL) and several waste management companies will focus on better sorting and recycling of bioplastics in packaging.
This position is aimed at creating a ‘digital twin’ of our recycling system to predict how bioplastics can be sorted and recycled in an efficient and cost-effective way. The starting point is our recycling model for plastic waste: a material flow model, based on fundamental knowledge of recycling processes. This allows us to predict the efficiency of recycling, the purity of sorted and recycled streams, and their cost-benefit. We can also trace products and give design-for-recycling guidelines to producers of plastics. You can read the basis of this model in this paper: DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.11.056
You will work on the further improvement of the model, with focus on bioplastics and scale effects, as well as on the implementation of new techniques in the model (e.g. AO-based sorting) and you will work closely with many companies to increase the recycling of plastics.Job profile

• You hold a doctoral degree or a diploma or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
• In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit.
• Exceptonal scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
• The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:

• the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher
• the researcher is funded by the Marie-Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
• Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
• Experience in Material Flow Analysis, plastic recycling, etc. is a plus, but we would encourage every motivated candidate to apply
• On a personal level

• You want to apply scientific knowledge in a societal context.
• You are creative, open-minded and can work independently. You are also pragmatic and have a strong drive for research and solving societal problems.
• You are a team player with good social skills.
• You have good communication skills to explain a scientific subject to a layman.
• Good knowledge of English is required.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full time position as a postdoctoral fellow for a period of 36 months.
• In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/09/2024 at the earliest.
• The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation.
• 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.

(in Dutch).How to applyApplication
To apply for this position, please send the following documents as a PDF to Prof. Steven De Meester ( ) by 8 June 2024:

• A cover letter: an application letter wherein you explain how you fit the criteria and why you should be considered for this position.
• A detailed CV: containing an overview of your study, work, and other relevant experience.
• Diploma: a copy of your MA/PhD degree, if already held.
• Optionally One or more recommendation letters.
• Other Documents: a recent publication or a chapter of your MA thesis.

RequirementsResearch Field Agricultural sciences Years of Research Experience 4 – 10Research Field Chemistry Years of Research Experience 4 – 10Research Field Engineering Years of Research Experience 4 – 10Research Field Environmental science Years of Research Experience 4 – 10Research Field Technology Years of Research Experience 4 – 10Additional InformationWebsite for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Ghent University Country Belgium City Ghent Postal Code 9000 Street Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 33Where to apply WebsiteContact CityGhent WebsitePostal Code9000STATUS: EXPIRED

Expected salary

Location

Gand, Flandre-Orientale

Job date

Thu, 23 May 2024 23:16:52 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (vacanciesineu.com) you saw this job posting.