Post-doctoral assistant department Animal sciences and aquatic ecology

Organisation/Company Ghent University Research Field Agricultural sciences » Other Biological sciences » Other Environmental science » Ecology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Final date to receive applications 24 Feb 2026 - 22:59 (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

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

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, and technical and social services on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With each of its 11 faculties and more than 100 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes that are grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its employees as well as its students.

YOUR TASKS

• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.

The research is situated within the domain of nutrition, digestion, and gastrointestinal physiology in farm animals, and digestion of animal-based and alternative protein-rich foods. The focus lies on the formation and biological activity of metabolites during enzymatic digestion and microbial fermentation, and on their interactions with the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal tissues throughout these digestive processes. To this end, in vitro digestion models and in vivo animal studies are used in a complementary manner to obtain both mechanistic insights and physiologically relevant responses.

A central objective is to improve the understanding of the translation of in vitro findings to in vivo effects, which remains a key challenge in this research field. The research builds on the application and further implementation of chromatographic separation techniques for metabolite profiling and quantitative PCR for gene expression analyses in gastrointestinal and other relevant tissues. By integrating this methodological expertise into ongoing and new research projects, the research contributes to the further development of the research and service profile of LANUPRO (Lanupro — Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology — Ghent University).

• You will assist in teaching in animal sciences at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level. Knowledge of Dutch is considered an asset.
• You will counsel Master’s students in their exercises, work placement and Master’s dissertation.
• You will counsel doctoral students.
• Actively contributing to the acquisition of research funding and exploring relevant funding opportunities.

• You hold a doctoral degree (PhD) and have demonstrable, relevant expertise in the described research domain. The degree requirement needs to be fulfilled at the start of your appointment. For diplomas awarded outside the European Union, a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted.
• You have conducted research in the field of nutrition and gastrointestinal digestion in farm animals and/or humans. Experience with in vitro and in vivo model systems, microbiota, metabolite formation and gene expression constitutes a clear asset.
• You have distinguished yourself as a promising researcher in your doctorate.
• You are profoundly interested in coaching students in the Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or Advanced Master’s programmes.
• You may present relevant scientific publications in (inter) national peer-reviewed academic journals that are widely disseminated.

• We offer you a temporary appointment of 3 years. A second appointment of up to 3 years can follow, subject to a favourable evaluation of the first term.
• Even if you have already been appointed earlier (whether or not at another university and whether or not in the same field of discipline) in a first term of up to three years, you can apply.
• The second appointment does not have to be immediately connected to a first term. Your appointment will start on 1 May 2026 at the…