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Siegfried Vlaeminck

1 month ago

Postdoctoral Fellow in Phototrophic Bioprocess Engineering and Microalgal Bioprocesses University of Antwerp in Belgium

Degree Level

Postdoc

Field of study

Environmental Science

Funding

Full funding available

Deadline

Jul 6, 2026

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Country

Belgium

University

University of Antwerp

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Keywords

Environmental Science
Chemical Engineering
Biotechnology
Biology
Biorefinery
Biochemical Engineering
Environmental Sustainability
Microalgae
Biomass Valorization
Biofuel

About this position

Postdoctoral fellow in phototrophic bioprocess engineering at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.

This fully funded postdoctoral opportunity is hosted in the Biobased Sustainability Engineering (SUSTAIN) research group within the Department of Bioscience Engineering, Faculty of Science. The position contributes to the BIOVAL / BioVal Horizon Europe project, an international multi-partner research and innovation action focused on developing near-zero-waste biorefinery concepts using microalgae and bacterial gas fermentation to convert residual biomass and captured CO₂ into lipids, pigments, antioxidants, and other high-value bioproducts.

The main research focus is phototrophic bioprocess engineering with emphasis on aerobic photomixotrophic growth of microalgae. The successful candidate will optimize cultivation conditions, test single- and multi-stage systems, evaluate stress factors, and develop downstream processing strategies for extraction and purification of lipids and pigments, including astaxanthin. The role involves designing, performing, and interpreting laboratory experiments, contributing to process development and scale-up, preparing manuscripts and reports, and participating in project meetings and scientific conferences.

Eligibility highlights: a PhD in bioscience engineering, chemical/biochemical engineering, applied biological sciences, or biotechnology; strong experience in bioprocess engineering and preferably microalgal cultivation; knowledge of downstream processing and analytical methods such as chromatography, microscopy, and molecular biology; hands-on skills in biomass drying and cell disruption; first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals; excellent English communication and teamwork skills.

Funding and duration: postdoctoral scholarship for 2 years, extendable by 1 year after positive evaluation. The monthly scholarship follows the university’s postdoctoral rates. Benefits include annual leave, a holiday closure period, internet allowance, and commuting support.

Application window: apply online by 6 July 2026 (midnight Antwerp time). Required attachments include a motivation letter, CV, and a statement about willingness to compete for additional research funding. Email applications are not accepted.

Funding details

Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.

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