    →   Apply until 19/05/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)
    →   Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
    →   Department BW23 - Food Technology, Safety and Health
    →   AAP temporary appointment - 100%
    →   Number of openings: 1
    →   Reference number: 202604/BW23/DA/005

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.

This position is vacant within the Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health at the Faculty of Bioengineering Sciences (FBE). The department’s activities focus on the central theme of high-quality, safe, healthy and sustainable food. The department trains students in this field, drawing on a broad range of professional expertise. This expertise is based on knowledge generation through exploratory basic research, which is also extended to practical studies, often in collaboration with different stakeholders within the field. This knowledge is transferred through the various programmes supported by the department to students of diverse profiles (from BSc through MSc to PhD level), both nationally and internationally.

In addition to product-oriented research, which examines chemical, microbiological, physicochemical and structural aspects, research into nutrition and health is an important and complementary pillar within the department.

To strengthen research and teaching in the field of nutrition and health, we are looking for someone who has the potential to develop their own research areas and take on a leadership role.

This person will develop pioneering research in this field and will expand our expertise in the mechanistic understanding of human intervention studies. This will be done in line with the department’s objectives, as outlined below:

1. understand the interactions between complex (multicomponent) matrices (foods, digestive products) and the host (cells, animals and humans) in synergy with the expertise available within the department;
2. develop holistic models to simulate and steer these interactions;
3. combine our expertise on biochemical and molecular nutrition, nutrition epidemiology and data-analysis;
4. make links with other units within and outside FBE with complementary expertise, required to develop your research
5. create a scientific basis for novel risk-benefit models and nutritional recommendations.

YOUR TASKS

At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research
You will design and draft research projects, and coordinate joint experimental laboratory research between the three PIs of BW23 responsible for (1) biochemical and molecular nutrition, (2) food safety and toxicology, and (3) nutritional epidemiology and data analysis, in close collaboration with the coordinator of the cell laboratories in BW23, who provides technical support with in-house expertise
You will assist in teaching activities at Bachelor and Master level, e.g. in exercises, internship and Master’s dissertation
You will counsel doctoral students
You participate in internal and external services offered by the department

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

You hold a doctoral degree. 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 expertise in food science and nutrition in combination with biological background knowledge to integrate the disciplines of (1) biochemical and molecular biology, (2) human physiology, and (3) data-analysis, in the central context of human nutrition and health. You are willing to further acquire knowledge in these fields where needed
You have distinguished yourself as a promising researcher during your doctoral research
You have relevant academic publications in international and national academic journals that have a wide readership and that rely on experts to review submitted manuscripts.
You can act pro-actively and you have a clear vision on leadership
You are profoundly interested in coaching students in the Bachelor, Master and/or Advanced Master programs
You have a good knowledge of the Dutch language needed to participate in teaching assignments at BSc level
Recommended:
- Educational expertise
- Knowledge of the stakeholders in human nutrition and health
- Experience with experimental lab research
- Having participated in trainings, conferences,…

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

We offer you a temporary appointment of 3 years. A second appointment of up to 3 years can follow, subject to a favorable 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 September 2026 at the earliest
Your remuneration will be determined according to salary scale AAP5. More information about our salary scales
All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of paid leave, bicycle commuting reimbursement, ecocheques, etc. A complete overview of all our fringe benefits

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not sent through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

In the field ‘Cv’: your cv and an overview of your relevant scientific publications (merged into one pdf file)
In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages
In the field ‘Certificate of equivalence’: only for diplomas awarded outside the European Union a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted (if already in your possession, if not, you need to be able to provide proof that you have applied for a certificate of equivalence at the start of your appointment). The certificate can be requested via www.naricvlaanderen.be/en. For diplomas awarded in the UK before January 31st of 2020, a certificate of equivalence is not required

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. John Van Camp (john.vancamp@UGent.be).

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via selecties@ugent.be.

Universiteit Gent

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