Post-doctoral researcher

Organisation/Company Ghent University Research Field Chemistry » Other Engineering » Chemical engineering Engineering » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Final date to receive applications 30 Apr 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

→Apply before 15/02/2026(DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
→Department:

EA11 - Materialen, Textiel en Chemische Proceskunde
→Occupancy rate:100%
→Number of positions:1
→Type of employment:

Contract of unlimited duration with clause
→Term of assignment:1 jaar
→Wage scale:

PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→Required diploma:
PhD

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
• You will be employed on a VLAIO-funded Catalisti Moonshot innovation project BIOVALCOR (duration 3 years). BIOVALCOR aims to demonstrate an integrated, waste-free biorefinery concept using rapeseed meal, a byproduct of rapeseed oil production, as a raw material. The overarching goal is to achieve full valorization of all rapeseed meal components, namely proteins, hydroxycinnamic acids, carbohydrates, lignin, and lipids.
• You will be responsible for the lignin part, i.e. conducting experiments on the extraction and catalytic depolymerization of lignin from deproteinized rapeseed meal using green solvents.
• You will be responsible for the characterization of lignin and the resulting (depolymerized) lignin products (oligomers, dimers/monomers) using various analytical techniques.
• You will be responsible for the development of a stable, (continuous) catalytic depolymerization process using well-chosen or synthesized stable catalysts.
• You will work in a team with various partners (knowledge and research institutions) and with an advisory board of companies.
• You will contribute to new project proposals in the area of heterogeneous catalysis within the INCAT research group, typically in the area of biomass conversion and/or valorization (see also
• You will contribute to the guidance of junior PhD students.

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate (obtained max. 6 years ago. This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma) in Chemical Engineering Technology, Chemical Engineering, or Bioengineering in Chemistry, or related field.
• You are highly interested in scientific and/or project-based research and services.
• You have experience with heterogeneous catalysis in the area of biomass conversion, and preferably in the area of lignin depolymerization.
• You have experience in catalyst development.
• You preferably have practical experience with biomass extraction.
• You are skilled in the use of various characterization techniques.
• You have excellent communication skills.
• You have excellent presentation skills.
• You have very good planning skills.
• You have very good writing skills.

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 1 year.
• Your contract will start on 1/04/2026 at the earliest.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers..  for a complete overview of all the staff benefits .

Apply online through the e-recruitment system
before the Final…