Jo Dewulf

Ghent University’s Department of Green Chemistry and Technology is offering a full-time PhD position within the Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN) group, focused on evaluating the sustainability and circularity of innovative waste tyre recycling. This opportunity is part of the MOONSHOT project “RUB-UP,” which aims to advance recycling of waste tyres through devulcanization and chemical valorization for sustainable material recovery. The project is funded by Flanders innovation & entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and involves collaboration with the LCT group at Ghent University and the cMACS group at KULeuven. Currently, waste tyres in Belgium are primarily recycled mechanically, resulting in downcycled rubber granules used in sports infrastructure and asphalt. However, this process limits reuse potential, economic value, and poses environmental and health risks due to carcinogenic substances. With the European Union’s recent ban on rubber granules for these applications, there is an urgent need for environmentally friendly and circular recycling strategies. The RUB-UP project seeks to reinvent tyre recycling processes to enhance sustainability and economic feasibility. As a doctoral fellow, you will guide the development and upscaling of RUB-UP technology by evaluating and optimizing its environmental sustainability, economic feasibility, and circularity. Key tasks include mapping the value chain for tyre recycling, constructing mass and energy balances using chemical engineering and process simulation, conducting prospective life cycle assessments (LCA) focused on climate change, resource use, human toxicity, and freshwater ecotoxicity, performing techno-economic assessments (TEA), and circularity assessments (CA). You will collaborate closely with your supervisors, STEN colleagues, and RUB-UP consortium partners. The research outcomes are expected to result in publications in international peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences, culminating in a PhD thesis. Applicants should hold a master’s degree in chemical engineering, bioscience engineering, civil engineering, or an equivalent field by the start date. A strong background or affinity with chemical process modelling and assessment methodologies (LCA, TEA, CA) is required. Candidates should demonstrate critical and analytical thinking, initiative, independence, teamwork skills, organizational and managerial abilities, motivation, and excellent writing and presentation skills. Proficiency in English (written and spoken) in an academic context is essential. Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research is required, and familiarity with process modelling software (Aspen Plus), LCA software (SimaPro, openLCA), and value chain scenario development is advantageous. The position offers a full-time doctoral fellowship for up to 48 months, starting with an initial 12-month contract renewable upon positive evaluation. The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member, determined by family status and seniority, and is free of personal income tax. Ghent University provides extensive staff benefits, including training opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. To apply, submit your CV, diploma copy, motivation letter, and contact details of at least one reference to [email protected] before 15 February 2026, following the specified file naming format. Late applications will not be accepted. For further information, contact Dr. Ir. Jordy Motte or Prof Pieter Nachtergaele via email. Ghent University encourages applications from all backgrounds as part of its equal opportunities and diversity policy.

Ghent University invites applications for a full-time PhD position in the Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN) group, focusing on Circular Design and Business Models for Sustainability of next generation heat pumps. This research is part of the Ghent University – Daikin partnership, aiming to address knowledge gaps in circular design and business models for heat pumps. The project seeks to identify optimal Circular Economy (CE) strategies, select appropriate sustainability indicators, and develop innovative scenarios for circular business strategies that achieve targeted sustainability and circularity goals. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with STEN colleagues and Daikin experts, with opportunities for teleworking. The research will contribute to international peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The position is based in the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Department BW24 - Groene Chemie en Technologie, and offers a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of four years. Remuneration follows salary scale WM1, and staff benefits include training opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. Applicants must hold a master's degree in environmental engineering, bioscience engineering, chemical engineering, materials engineering, environmental technology, sustainable energy, product design or equivalent. Students graduating in 2025-2026 are eligible to apply, provided degree requirements are met at the start of appointment. Essential qualifications include a solid understanding of sustainability principles, circular economy concepts, and their application in product design, as well as experience with LCA software (SimaPro, openLCA, GaBi), circularity indicators, and value chain scenario development. Candidates should demonstrate strong technical interest, organisational and managerial skills, motivation, and proficiency in English (written and oral) in an academic context. Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research, good writing, and presentation skills are required. The application deadline is 19 June 2026. Interested candidates must apply online via the Ghent University e-recruitment system. Required documents include a CV and academic transcript (merged as one PDF), cover letter, diploma transcript, and contact details of 1 or 2 reference persons. Applications sent by email will not be accepted. For further information about the vacancy, contact Prof. Jo Dewulf ([email protected]). Ghent University encourages applications from all backgrounds as part of its equal opportunities and diversity policy. This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of sustainable energy technologies and circular economy strategies, working in a multidisciplinary and international research environment at one of Belgium's leading universities.

Ghent University is advertising a full-time postdoctoral researcher position within the Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN) group in the Department of Groene Chemie en Technologie , Faculty of Bioscience Engineering. The project focuses on the environmental sustainability of critical raw materials-based technologies , with opportunities to contribute to other sustainability-related projects in the research group as well. The appointed researcher will work on several EU and national projects and contribute both to research management and scientific analysis. Key methods include Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) , material flow analysis (MFA) , calculation of material footprints , and related approaches for evaluating circularity and sustainability performance. Experience or strong affinity with combining LCA with methods such as criticality assessment and safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) is considered highly valuable. Collaboration with universities, research organisations, and companies is an important part of the role. The position is a 2-year contract with a proposed start date of 15 October 2026 at the earliest. Continuation may be possible after positive evaluation, reflecting the strategic importance of sustainability research on critical raw materials within STEN. The post is full-time and comes with remuneration according to salary scale PD1 to PD4 for doctoral degree holders. Applicants must hold a PhD in environmental engineering, bioscience engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, environmental technology, or a closely related equivalent. The university seeks candidates with an engineering background or clear affinity for sustainability assessment methods, experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research, and practical familiarity with LCA tools such as openLCA , GaBi , or SimaPro , as well as databases such as ecoinvent . Strong English communication skills in an academic setting are required; Dutch is an asset. Applications must be submitted online through Ghent University’s e-recruitment system by 25 August 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time . Required application materials include a CV and transcript of academic record, a cover letter, diploma or transcript of the required degree, and supporting documents such as a reference letter and an overview of study results. Email applications are not accepted. For additional information, candidates may contact Prof. Jo Dewulf at [email protected] .