Doctoral Fellow in Green Chemistry and Technology – Polymer Recycling and Sensing Ghent University in Belgium

Ghent University invites applications for a full-time doctoral fellowship in the Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, focusing on advanced sensing methodologies for polymer recycling. The position is based in the Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE) on the Kortrijk campus, supervised by Prof. Pieter Nachtergaele and Prof. Steven De Meester. The research group is dynamic, comprising 22 PhD students, 3 postdocs, and 4 technicians, and is renowned for its work on chemical engineering for the circular economy, with a strong emphasis on waste pretreatment and downstream processing.

The doctoral project centers on developing and applying state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques (such as NIR, Raman, and hyperspectral imaging), combined with machine learning and chemometric modelling, to monitor and control polymer recycling processes. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with LCPE colleagues and industrial partners, aiming to produce scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. The ultimate goal is to complete a PhD thesis integrating these scientific findings.

Applicants should have a master's degree in chemical engineering, bioscience engineering, materials science, civil engineering, industrial engineering, or equivalent. Degrees in applied physics or chemistry with a strong engineering focus are also considered. Candidates must demonstrate a genuine interest in scientific research, a drive for sustainable and circular solutions in the plastics industry, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, international environment. Strong organizational skills, self-motivation, perseverance, and excellent academic writing and oral presentation skills are essential. Proficiency in English is required.

Additional desirable qualifications include experience with inline or online spectroscopic sensing techniques (NIR, Raman, MIR, hyperspectral imaging), chemometric or multivariate data analysis (PLS, PCA, machine learning), polymer characterization (DSC, TGA, GPC, rheology), knowledge of plastic sorting and recycling technologies, laboratory work, experimental design, and programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or R.

The fellowship is initially for 12 months, extendable up to 48 months after a positive evaluation. The salary is 100% of the net AAP member salary, determined by family status and seniority, and is tax-free. Ghent University offers a range of staff benefits, including training opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers.

To apply, send your CV, diploma, motivation letter, and contact details of at least one reference to Prof. Pieter Nachtergaele ([email protected]) before 31 May 2026. File names should follow the format: Type of document_First Name_Last Name.docx. Late applications will not be accepted. For further information, contact Prof. Nachtergaele.

Ghent University is committed to equal opportunities and diversity, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.