Kevin Van Geem

Ghent University, a leading European institution with over 15,000 staff and 11 faculties, is seeking a full-time postdoctoral researcher for its Department of Materials, Textiles, and Chemical Process Engineering (EA11) within the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture. This two-year position focuses on the chemical recycling of plastic waste, a critical area for sustainable materials management and environmental protection. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team and contribute to cutting-edge research on advanced pyrolysis technologies, analytical techniques for pyrolysis oils, and the upgrading of these oils to high-quality petrochemical feedstocks. The role also involves investigating the impact of plastic waste on pyrolysis processes and steam cracking, with a strong emphasis on experimental work and process modeling using tools such as Aspen Plus and COILSIM1D. In addition to research, the postdoc will supervise PhD and master’s students, provide guidance across the spectrum of chemical recycling, and coordinate projects involving multiple stakeholders, including leading companies in the chemical industry and policymakers. Responsibilities include drafting scientific project proposals, initiating bilateral industry collaborations, and managing project activities. At least 70% of the position is dedicated to scientific research, with the remainder focused on strategic and coordinating tasks. Applicants must hold a thesis-based doctorate in chemical engineering (awarded within the last six years) and demonstrate strong experimental and analytical skills, particularly with two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) and various detectors. Experience in chemical recycling, pyrolysis, steam cracking, mass balance allocation, and process simulation is essential. Candidates should have a proven track record in project management, successful research funding acquisition, and coordination of multidisciplinary teams. Supervisory experience and excellent English communication skills are required. The position offers a contract of indefinite duration (maximum two years), competitive remuneration according to salary scale PD1, and a comprehensive benefits package including training opportunities, 36 days of annual holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. The earliest possible start date is February 1, 2026. To apply, candidates must submit their application online via the Ghent University e-recruitment system before January 4, 2026. Required documents include a CV and academic transcript (merged as one PDF), a cover letter (PDF), and a transcript of the required degree. If the diploma is in a language other than Dutch, French, German, or English, a translation must be provided. Applications sent by email will not be accepted. For further information, contact Prof. Kevin Van Geem at [email protected]. Ghent University is committed to equal opportunities and diversity, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

Ghent University in Belgium is offering multiple fully funded PhD positions across a range of departments and research areas, including Green Chemistry and Technology, Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Information Technology, Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, and Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering. These positions are part of prestigious networks such as the Marie-Curie Doctoral Network SCARPA, which focuses on sustainability and circular economy challenges in the footwear industry, and other cutting-edge research projects in wireless networking, data analysis, and computational biology. Applicants must hold a relevant Master’s degree and meet specific requirements for each position, such as technical skills, language proficiency, and compliance with mobility rules. Funding includes a competitive salary, tax-free fellowship, and comprehensive staff benefits. Application deadlines are primarily October 31, 2025, with some positions closing on December 31, 2025, or September 30, 2025. Interested candidates should follow the application instructions for each position, submitting all required documents before the deadline. Supervisors include leading professors and researchers at Ghent University. For more information, visit the provided links or contact the supervisors directly.

The Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT) at Ghent University is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on automated kinetic model generation for heterogeneous catalytic systems. The research bridges computational chemistry, kinetic modelling, machine learning, and chemoinformatics to accelerate sustainable chemical production processes. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of Genesys, an in-house kinetic model generator, by extending its framework with new reaction families, thermodynamic estimation methods, and kinetic property assignment strategies for heterogeneous catalysis. Integration of machine learning models for predicting thermochemical and kinetic properties, as well as coupling gas-phase and surface-phase mechanism generation, are key aspects of the project. The PhD candidate will validate developed methodologies on industrially relevant catalyst systems, collaborate with major industrial partners and leading research institutes, and create software tools for the kinetic modeling community. The position offers a competitive tax-free scholarship, extensive UGent benefits, and the opportunity to work with cutting-edge tools in a multidisciplinary environment. Requirements include a master's degree in chemical engineering or a related field, programming experience in Python, knowledge of chemical kinetics and reactor engineering, and proficiency in English (TOEFL > 105 or equivalent). Experience in quantum chemical simulations, machine learning, and software development practices are desirable but not mandatory. Applications should be submitted via email to [email protected] and [email protected] with the subject line 'Genesys PhD Position Application', including a cover letter, CV, and BSc/MSc transcripts. The position is available from 1 September 2026 (flexible start date). For more information, visit the supervisor's LinkedIn profile or UGent staff pages.