Ghent University invites applications for a full-time doctoral fellow position in the Department of Business Informatics and Operations Management, as part of the REINFUSE research project (Digital Tools foR onlinE valorIsatioN oF USed Equipment). This multidisciplinary project, in collaboration with KU Leuven and 10 industrial partners, aims to advance product identification and valorization for second-hand industrial equipment, contributing to sustainability and competitiveness in the Flemish industry. The PhD researcher will focus on maximizing value recovery and reuse of used equipment, employing both product-based and market-based valorization approaches. The product-based approach involves defining bundles of components or complementary items that make technical or functional sense to market, and estimating appropriate prices using machine learning and data analytics techniques. The market-based approach leverages combinatorial auctions to determine bundle compositions and pricing, utilizing operations research and efficient algorithm development to facilitate the bidding process. Collaboration with a postdoctoral researcher is expected for the market-based research component. The position is based in the Department of Business Informatics and Operations Management (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration) at Ghent University, under the supervision of Prof. Dries Goossens and Prof. Dries Benoit. The successful candidate will enroll in a full-time PhD program for up to four years, contingent on annual positive evaluations, with the ultimate goal of obtaining a doctoral degree. Applicants must hold or be about to complete a Master’s degree in a relevant field (business engineering, industrial engineering, mathematics, engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence). Strong academic performance, interest in scientific research and optimization, software development skills, and proficiency in English are required. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset due to regular contact with industrial partners. Candidates should demonstrate strong social and independent working skills, ethical responsibility, and clear scientific communication abilities. Affinity with sports is a plus. The fellowship offers a correct and beneficial salary according to official university scales, with the grant being tax-free and determined by family status and seniority. Staff benefits include extensive training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, eco vouchers, and more. The contract starts on September 1, 2026, with an initial 12-month period extendable up to 48 months. To apply, send your detailed CV, motivation letter, and a copy of your degree with study results to [email protected] by March 1, 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Dries Goossens or Prof. Dries Benoit. Ghent University encourages applications from all backgrounds, maintaining an equal opportunities and diversity policy. For more details and to apply online, visit the application link provided.

Ghent University invites applications for a full-time PhD position in the Department of Marketing, Innovation and Organisation, within the CVAMO Flanders Make Lab. This doctoral fellowship focuses on developing advanced machine learning models to predict manufacturability and manufacturing effort directly from CAD geometry. The research aims to translate geometric design information into quantitative estimates of manufacturing effort and cost, leveraging state-of-the-art methods such as Graph Neural Networks, geometric deep learning, and multi-view learning architectures. A strong emphasis is placed on explainable AI, enabling the identification of geometric features that drive cost increases or infeasibility, and providing interpretable managerial decision support. The successful candidate will enroll as a full-time PhD student for four years (subject to yearly positive evaluations) under the supervision of Professor Dries Benoit. The position includes opportunities to contribute to teaching activities (Data Mining, Machine Learning) and collaborative industry projects, each up to 10% of the appointment. The research environment is highly stimulating, with close connections to industrial applications and opportunities for conference participation, doctoral school training, and international publication. Applicants must hold or be about to complete a Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., business engineering, industrial engineering, mathematics, engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence). Strong study results, a keen interest in machine learning and AI, background knowledge in neural networks and deep learning, strong analytical and programming skills, and excellent English proficiency are required. The ability to work independently and collaboratively is essential. The fellowship offers a competitive stipend (100% of the net salary of an AAP member, tax-free, amount based on family status and seniority) for up to 48 months, with various staff benefits including training opportunities, holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. The targeted starting date is September 1, 2026. To apply, submit a motivation letter, detailed CV with study results, and copies of your degree and transcripts (all in PDF format) via email to [email protected] by April 5, 2026, 23:59. Please ensure the subject line of your email starts with “PHD26”. Ghent University is committed to equal opportunities and diversity; all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.