Pieter Nachtergaele

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 doctoral fellowship in the Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, focusing on advanced sensing methodologies for polymer recycling. The position is based in the Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering (LCPE) on the Kortrijk campus, supervised by Prof. Pieter Nachtergaele and Prof. Steven De Meester. The research group is dynamic, comprising 22 PhD students, 3 postdocs, and 4 technicians, and is renowned for its work on chemical engineering for the circular economy, with a strong emphasis on waste pretreatment and downstream processing. The doctoral project centers on developing and applying state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques (such as NIR, Raman, and hyperspectral imaging), combined with machine learning and chemometric modelling, to monitor and control polymer recycling processes. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with LCPE colleagues and industrial partners, aiming to produce scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. The ultimate goal is to complete a PhD thesis integrating these scientific findings. Applicants should have a master's degree in chemical engineering, bioscience engineering, materials science, civil engineering, industrial engineering, or equivalent. Degrees in applied physics or chemistry with a strong engineering focus are also considered. Candidates must demonstrate a genuine interest in scientific research, a drive for sustainable and circular solutions in the plastics industry, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, international environment. Strong organizational skills, self-motivation, perseverance, and excellent academic writing and oral presentation skills are essential. Proficiency in English is required. Additional desirable qualifications include experience with inline or online spectroscopic sensing techniques (NIR, Raman, MIR, hyperspectral imaging), chemometric or multivariate data analysis (PLS, PCA, machine learning), polymer characterization (DSC, TGA, GPC, rheology), knowledge of plastic sorting and recycling technologies, laboratory work, experimental design, and programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or R. The fellowship is initially for 12 months, extendable up to 48 months after a positive evaluation. The salary is 100% of the net AAP member salary, determined by family status and seniority, and is tax-free. Ghent University offers a range of staff benefits, including training opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. To apply, send your CV, diploma, motivation letter, and contact details of at least one reference to Prof. Pieter Nachtergaele ([email protected]) before 31 May 2026. File names should follow the format: Type of document_First Name_Last Name.docx. Late applications will not be accepted. For further information, contact Prof. Nachtergaele. Ghent University is committed to equal opportunities and diversity, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

Ghent University, a leading institution in Belgium, invites applications for a full-time PhD position in the Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, specifically within the Sustainable Systems Engineering (STEN) group. This opportunity is part of an EU-funded project focused on the sustainability assessment and value chain optimisation of novel cellulose-based flexible packaging materials. The project aims to address the urgent need to replace conventional fossil-based packaging with sustainable, bio-based alternatives, centering on the development of regenerated cellulose films produced via innovative enzymatic processes and the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital twin technologies across the value chain. As a doctoral fellow, you will contribute to the Value Chain Assessment work package, which Ghent University leads within a large international consortium. Your research will intersect sustainability science, process engineering, and AI-powered decision support. Key tasks include scenario development and process modelling for upscaled production of cellulose-based films, using both conventional and data-driven modelling approaches to generate detailed mass and energy balances. You will conduct prospective Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and circularity evaluations of value chain scenarios, assessing environmental impacts from production to end-of-life stages. Additionally, you will perform techno-economic assessments (TEA), sensitivity analyses, and develop a Python module for multi-objective optimisation integrated with the project's digital twin platform. The position offers a stimulating research environment, close collaboration with promotors, STEN colleagues, and international partners. Scientific findings are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences, culminating in a PhD thesis. Applicants must hold a master's degree in chemical engineering, bioscience engineering, civil engineering, or equivalent, with degree requirements met at the start of appointment. Candidates should demonstrate an engineering background and/or affinity with assessment methodologies such as LCA, TEA, and circularity assessment. Essential skills include quantitative and/or qualitative research experience, proficiency in English (written and oral) in an academic context, strong writing and presentation skills, and the ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams. Additional plus points include experience with LCA software (SimaPro, openLCA), process modelling software (Aspen Plus, SuperPro Designer), development and comparison of value chain scenarios, basic programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or R, and knowledge of bio-based materials, cellulose chemistry, or sustainable packaging. The fellowship is a full-time position for up to 48 months, starting as early as 01/09/2026. 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 offers additional staff benefits, including training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. To apply, send your CV, diploma copy, motivation letter, and contact details of at least one reference to Prof. Pieter Nachtergaele ([email protected]) before 31 May 2026. Please mention 'PhD Application Cellulose-Based Packaging' in the email title and follow the specified file naming format. Late applications will not be accepted. Ghent University encourages applications from all backgrounds as part of its equal opportunities and diversity policy. For further information about the vacancy, contact Prof. Pieter Nachtergaele at [email protected].