Scientific Project Manager - Ecosystem Field Projects

Scientific Project Manager - Tropical Ecosystem Field Projects (Central Africa)

Job

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.

ISOFYS – Isotope Bioscience Laboratory, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology – and Q‑Forest Lab – Laboratory of Quantitative Forest Ecosystem Science, both are research units at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering of Ghent University, Belgium. ISOFYS is equipped with diverse state‑of‑the‑art stable and radioisotope analytical equipment and carries out highly international oriented research and education on isotope biogeochemistry, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and integrated tropical soil fertility.

Q‑Forest Lab combines a unique set of state‑of‑the‑art methodologies, including remote sensing, terrestrial laser scanning, process‑based vegetation modelling and field observations, and carries out highly international oriented research and education on vegetation dynamics, ecosystem structure, and biogeochemical cycles of (tropical) terrestrial ecosystems in response to climate and land‑use change. Together, ISOFYS and Q‑Forest Lab contribute to a process‑based understanding of ecosystem functions.

• ISOFYS and Q‑Forest Lab are seeking a highly motivated Scientific Project Manager to support and coordinate international research activities focusing on tropical ecosystems, peatlands, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and ecosystem monitoring. The position combines scientific coordination, field logistics, technical implementation, data management and statistics, and international collaboration between Belgium and Central Africa.
• The successful candidate will act as a key link between research teams, local partners, and field operations, ensuring the successful execution and follow‑up of scientific projects in challenging environments.

• Coordinate and follow up scientific research projects conducted in Central Africa and other tropical regions.
• Organize and support field campaigns, including logistics, equipment preparation, transport, and communication with local collaborators and institutions.
• Participate actively in fieldwork activities in remote tropical environments, including extended missions requiring camping and physically demanding work conditions.
• Support the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of scientific instrumentation such as:
• GHG flux chambers for greenhouse gas emission measurements in tropical peatlands.
• Eddy covariance towers.
• Environmental sensors and data acquisition systems.
• Collect, organize, validate, and manage environmental and scientific datasets from multiple projects.
• Ensure proper documentation, reporting, and scientific follow‑up of field activities.
• Facilitate communication between international project partners, researchers, technicians, and local stakeholders.
• Contribute to project planning, budgeting, procurement, and reporting activities.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new scientific field projects and monitoring infrastructures.

• You hold a Master’s degree.
• We look for strongly motivated candidates with relevant working experience in Central Africa with a diploma of one of the following training programs: MSc Bioscience engineering, MSc Biology, MSc Physics, MSc Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• General knowledge on and understanding of data loggers, meteorological equipment and gas analyzers.
• Fluent in English and French.
• Experience with scientific fieldwork and environmental monitoring equipment is highly valued.
• Ability to work independently in remote and demanding field conditions.
• Willing to work in multidisciplinary team and with…