Adrian Covaci

The University of Antwerp, a leading European institution, invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral researcher in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences. This position is part of the EU HORIZON-IHI project PFAROS and focuses on improving our understanding of human exposure pathways to PFAS and PFAS-free alternatives within the health care sector. The research will be conducted at the Toxicological Centre (TC, UA), renowned for its analytical expertise and instrumental capabilities in human exposure assessment and environmental toxicology. The successful candidate will contribute to mapping PFAS use across healthcare, supporting substitution and risk assessment. Responsibilities include categorizing PFAS by properties and functions, compiling toxicity, fate, exposure, and supply-chain data, and documenting potential PFAS-free alternatives. The role involves chemical analysis of PFAS and PFAS-free alternatives in selected articles and products using advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques, including non-targeted screening and cheminformatics approaches. Exposure assessment tasks include compiling existing data, exposure modelling, and scenario analysis using standardized methods (e.g., ISO, CEN) or LC-HRMS and/or GC-HRMS, focusing on human health exposure through leachables during use. The postdoctoral researcher will refine and implement analytical methods at the TC, validate new methods for PFAS in emerging matrices, conduct research, and publish results to disseminate scientific insights. Additional duties include attracting external funding, coordinating project proposals in PFAS research, providing academic services, representing the research group internally and externally, building international scientific contacts, and supervising Master and PhD students. Applicants must hold a PhD in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, biomedical or environmental sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline. Preferred candidates will have a strong publication record and experience with external funding. Required skills include target and non-target analysis of PFAS at trace levels (by LC and/or GC-(HR)MS), experience with consumer (polymeric) products and leaching testing, and bioinformatics for processing (HR)MS data. Excellent English communication skills, motivation, planning, and organizational abilities are essential. The candidate should be able to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, international team. The University of Antwerp offers a full-time postdoctoral scholarship for 12 months, with the possibility of extension to 36 months following positive evaluation. The monthly scholarship amount is determined by Contract Research Staff pay scales and includes ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and either a bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting. The start date is planned for 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The university provides scientific development opportunities in an international, cooperative, interdisciplinary research environment, access to state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure, and opportunities to present research at international conferences and workshops. Applications must be submitted online via the University of Antwerp’s job application platform by 17 August 2026. Required documents include a motivation letter, academic CV, and 1-2 letters of recommendation. For questions about the application process, contact [email protected]. For job-related inquiries, contact Prof. Dr. Adrian Covaci at [email protected]. The University of Antwerp is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The institution has received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award and offers a sustainable, family-friendly working environment.

The University of Antwerp, a leading European institution, is seeking a full-time postdoctoral researcher for a position in Metabolomics/Lipidomics. The role is based within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, specifically at the Toxicological Centre (TC), which is renowned for its expertise in human exposure assessment and exposome research. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of analytical platforms for metabolomics and lipidomics in human matrices, with the broader aim of advancing exposome studies and clinical applications. The project involves refining and tailoring established non-targeted metabolomics and lipidomics platforms based on LC-QTOF-MS and GC-QTOF-MS for the analysis of human biological fluids such as blood and urine. The candidate will also develop and validate targeted methods for relevant metabolites, enabling the discovery of innovative biomarkers with predictive value for specific clinical conditions. The research will utilize both untargeted and targeted metabolomics approaches, combined with big data mining techniques, to detect molecular fingerprints in phenotypically characterized patients. Key responsibilities include optimizing sample preparation procedures for biological matrices, adapting analytical platforms to meet the specific needs of these matrices, and developing targeted methods using LC-MS/MS and/or GC-MS/MS. The candidate will explore additional separation dimensions, such as 2D-LC or ion mobility, to enhance data quality. Refinement of data processing and metabolite annotation workflows, as well as implementation of QA/QC measures for both targeted and non-targeted approaches, are essential to ensure high-quality and reliable data. Integration of the latest technical developments in analytical chemistry and bioinformatics is expected. The postdoctoral researcher will conduct and publish research, represent the research group internally and externally, coordinate service projects, and build international scientific contacts. The role also includes applying for external funding (e.g., Marie Curie EU programs, FWO) and supporting PIs in funding applications. Supervision and evaluation of Master and PhD students are part of the responsibilities. Applicants must hold a PhD in analytical chemistry, biomedical or environmental sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related discipline. A strong publication record in metabolomics/lipidomics and experience with external funding are required. Candidates should have expertise in LC-HRMS and/or GC-HRMS, sample preparation for MS-based metabolomics/lipidomics, and bioinformatics for HRMS data processing. Excellent English communication skills, motivation, planning, and organizational abilities are essential. The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, international team is expected. The position offers a full-time postdoctoral scholarship for 18 months, with the possibility of extension following positive evaluation. The monthly scholarship amount is determined by the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (BAP) and includes ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and either a bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting. The start date is planned for 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The University of Antwerp provides a dynamic, international, and professional research environment with state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure, opportunities for scientific development, and participation in international conferences and workshops. Applications must be submitted online via the University of Antwerp’s job application platform by 17 August 2026. Required documents include a motivation letter, academic CV, and 1-2 letters of recommendation. The selection committee will review applications after the deadline and notify candidates regarding next steps. For questions about the application process, contact [email protected]; for job-specific inquiries, contact Prof. Dr. Adrian Covaci ([email protected]). The University of Antwerp is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The institution has received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award and offers a family-friendly, sustainable working environment.

University of Antwerp is advertising a postdoctoral position in PFAS exposure and safety assessment in health care within the Toxicological Centre and the EU HORIZON-IHI project PFAROS . The project focuses on mapping the use of PFAS across health care to support substitution and risk assessment. The successful candidate will work on human exposure pathways to PFAS and PFAS-free alternatives, including production equipment, consumables, packaging, delivery devices, medical devices, complex machinery parts, and cleaning agents used in the health care sector. Research tasks include chemical analysis of PFAS and alternatives in selected articles and products, advanced mass spectrometry-based screening, non-target analysis, cheminformatics, exposure assessment, extractables/leachables studies, exposure modelling, and validation/refinement of analytical methods. The role also includes publishing results, contributing to external funding proposals, representing the research group, building international contacts, and supervising Master’s and PhD students. Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a PhD in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, biomedical or environmental sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field. Strong experience with target and non-target PFAS analysis at trace levels using LC and/or GC-(HR)MS is required, along with bioinformatics skills for HRMS data processing and statistical analysis. Experience with consumer/polymeric products and leaching testing is an advantage. Excellent English and the ability to work full-time in a multidisciplinary, international team are expected. Funding: this is a full-time postdoctoral scholarship holder appointment for 12 months, with a possible extension to 36 months after positive evaluation. The monthly scholarship follows University of Antwerp BAP pay scales, and additional commuting-related benefits are offered. Application deadline: 17 August 2026 (midnight Brussels time). Apply via the University of Antwerp online application platform and include a motivation letter, academic CV, and 1–2 letters of recommendation.