Dirk Cambier

Ghent University is seeking two highly motivated PhD candidates for a full-time doctoral fellowship focused on the comfort of advanced protective clothing, with research at the intersection of textile engineering, industrial design, and movement sciences. The position is embedded within two international projects funded by the European Defence Agency, aiming to improve the balance between ergonomic and thermo physiological comfort and protection (impact and camouflage) in protective clothing for first responders and military personnel. The research involves developing subjective and objective methods to quantify comfort, modelling and simulating design effects, and validating findings through prototyping. Multi-scale modelling will address the mechanics of multilayer fibre-based structures and the transfer of heat and moisture, with a strong emphasis on ergonomics in posture and movement. The successful candidates will work closely together and collaborate with three Ghent University centers: the Center for Textile Science and Engineering (CTSE), movement and rehabilitation sciences, and imec-mict-UGent. The position offers opportunities to participate in international meetings and conferences, and to contribute to a highly relevant field at the interface of smart textiles, physical effort monitoring, and human factors. The ultimate goal is the successful completion and defense of a doctoral thesis at Ghent University. Applicants must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, strong multidisciplinary research interest, and excellent English communication skills. The fellowship provides a competitive salary, is tax-free, and includes extensive staff benefits. The contract starts as early as January 1, 2025, with an initial 12-month period extendable up to 48 months upon positive evaluation. Applications must be submitted by November 30, 2025. For further information, contact the listed professors.

Ghent University is recruiting a Post-doctoral assistant in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The appointment is a 50% temporary position for 3 years , with one opening , and is based in Ghent, Belgium . The role is strongly research-oriented: at least 70% of the assignment will focus on academic research, preferably in the domain of neuro-geriatric rehabilitation . The successful candidate will also contribute to teaching at Bachelor’s or Master’s level, supervise Master’s students in exercises, placements and dissertations, and support doctoral students. A further expectation is independent grant writing for research funding , making this a strong fit for an early-career researcher aiming to build an academic profile in rehabilitation science. The position calls for candidates with a doctoral degree in Health Science , preferably in Rehabilitation Sciences with a focus on neurology and/or geriatrics . The university expects the degree requirement to be met by the start date. Applicants with diplomas earned outside the European Union must provide a NARIC certificate of equivalence . The post further seeks applicants who have already conducted research in neurorehabilitation or movement analysis , have shown promise as a researcher in their doctorate, and are genuinely interested in coaching students across Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or Advanced Master’s programmes. Peer-reviewed scientific publications are welcomed, and experience with grant writing is required; interest in postural and movement analysis is an advantage. The appointment starts 1 October 2026 at the earliest . Salary is determined according to scale AAP5 . Ghent University also highlights a range of staff benefits, including training and education opportunities, paid leave, bicycle commuting reimbursement, and ecocheques. Applications must be submitted online through the e-recruitment system by 22 September 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time . The application file should include a merged PDF containing the CV and overview of relevant scientific publications, a cover letter, and a transcript of the required degree if available. For non-EU diplomas, proof of equivalence or proof that equivalence has been requested must be included. For more information, candidates may contact Prof. Dirk Cambier at [email protected] .