Ghent University Global Campus
Ghent University is a pluralistic institution, open to all regardless of ideological, political, cultural, or social background. Our credo is “Dare to Think.” As a top-100 university with more than 49,000 students and 15,000 staff members, we are one of the largest universities in the Dutch-speaking world, located in Flanders, Belgium. Our 11 faculties offer more than 200 programs and conduct in-depth research across a wide range of scientific domains. Several of our research groups, centers, and institutes are internationally renowned in fields such as biotechnology, aquaculture, microelectronics, and history, among others. In 2017, Ghent University celebrated its 200th anniversary. Over the past two centuries, our university has welcomed many eminent scientists, ministers, and even Nobel Prize winners among its staff and alumni.
Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC) is the first European university established in Songdo, South Korea. It offers Bachelor of Science programs in Molecular Biotechnology, Environmental Technology, and Food Technology. The main research areas at GUGC include plant biotechnology, biomedical technology, biotech data science, food technology, and environmental technology.
Please visit the homepage of Ghent University (http://www.ugent.be/en) and Ghent University Global Campus (http://ghent.ac.kr/ | http://www.ugent.be/globalcampus/en) to learn more about our organizations.
Biomedical Research Center (KR01)
The Biomedical Research Center (RC5) is one of the five existing research centers of the Ghent University Global Campus, Korea (https://rc5.ghent.ac.kr/). The Biomedical Research Center (RC5) is dedicated to the study of human brain disorders such as mental disorders and neurodegeneration with the aim of delivering knowledge for better diagnosis and treatment. To sustain and strengthen the teaching and service activities of the Biomedical Research Center (RC5), GUGC is looking for a full-time postdoctoral researcher.
Current research lines with a strong focus on Biomedical research are:
- Identification of mechanism of action of antidepressants to treat depression and related psychiatric disorders
- Discovery of functional metabolites regulating emotion and cognition of animals and humans
- Systemic approaches using -omics technologies to understand interactions between brain and microbiome
Job Summary
Postdoctoral researcher (AAP) – Ghent University Global Campus
Degree: PhD degree in one of the following disciplines: Biomedical science and Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Pharmaceutical science or a related field
Contract: 1 year (renewal conditional on a positive evaluation)
Occupancy rate: 100%
Vacancy type: Postdoctoral Researcher (AAP)
Last application date: Review of applications will begin on July 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled
Starting date: August 1, 2026 (open to negotiation)
Location: Ghent University Global Campus, Songdo, Korea
Scientific supervisor: Prof. Dongik Park
Job Position
Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC), South Korea, has a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the area of Biomedical research, starting from August 1, 2026 (open to negotiation). This is a 1-year full-time position that is renewable (upon favorable evaluation), for a total period of 6 years. For non-Korean applicants, free accommodation and a yearly travel budget are foreseen. GUGC is an equal opportunities employer.
The selected candidate will work as a postdoctoral researcher at the Biomedical research center of the Ghent University Global Campus in Korea, under guidance of Prof. Dongik Park. Mainly, the Postdoc candidate is supposed to perform research in the areas of neuroscience and systemic biology, for instance, but not limited to:
1) Screening of natural compounds regulating cognitive functions using in in vitro and in vivo models
2) Profiling of unknown binding partners of drugs to understand their systemic mechanism of action
The selected candidate is expected to spend a maximum of 30% of their appointment supporting the department in teaching/assisting undergraduate courses organized by the center. These activities primarily include supervising practical sessions, and internships and annual bachelor projects. The selected candidate is also expected to contribute to ongoing research activities at the center, assisting the scientific supervisors with the counselling of master students and PhD candidates. Finally, the selected candidate is expected to contribute to the service activities of the center, for instance contributing to the outreach programs organized at Ghent University Global Campus.
Candidate Profile
- You hold a PhD Degree in one of the following disciplines: Biomedical science and Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Pharmaceutical science or a related field
- You have an excellent academic record of accomplishment and independently plan and design the research projects.
- You have a demonstrable knowledge and practical skills/experience of in vitro cell culture, ligand-binding assays, and behavioral procedures with laboratory animals holding a credential for laboratory animal experiments issued either in South-Korea or Belgium/EU/United States. Having experience in in silico analysis such as molecular docking and omics (e.g. proteomics and metabolomics) is a strong advantage.
- You have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. To be eligible, B2 level of English proficiency has to be proved with the language certificate. (https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency)
- You are comfortable with working in an international and multi-cultural environment that is dynamic in nature (Ghent University Global Campus counts more than 20 nationalities among its academic staff).
- You are intimately familiar with current trends in these areas and can talk knowledgeably about the potential impact upon your research and that of others.
- You possess good academic writing and presentation skills.
- If need be, you have the willingness to work flexible hours and to participate occasionally in events outside of the regular working hours.
Selection Criteria
- Scientific background and knowledge
- Communication skills in English
Application Documents
- Motivation letter (maximum one page)
- Full resume (CV), including a list of publications and research funding applications
- The contact information of at least two references
- Copy of the BSc, MSc and PhD degrees
- Transcripts (overview of study results)
- A link to your doctoral dissertation
- A research statement that describes the proposed research in some of the areas mentioned above, focusing in particular on the objectives that will be pursued, together with a work plan (maximum one page)
The application documents must be merged into a single PDF file and be sent via email to Prof. Dongik Park ([email protected]) (subject line: Postdoctoral researcher in Biomedical Research Center). The candidate will receive an email confirming receipt of the application.
Application Process and Interview
- Interviews will take place in stages from the first available time.
- Applicants are encouraged to apply in a timely fashion as the position will be filled upon finding the right candidate.
We reserve the right to hold applications on file for potential future job openings. For inquiries, please contact us via email.
Selection Process
- CV screening and shortlisting -> Interview -> Internal committee -> Approval -> Acceptance notice to the candidate selected.
Compensation & Benefits for the Selected Candidate
- Basic terms of the contract: A 1-year contract (renewable each time after a positive evaluation).
- Salary: Starts from an Annual Base Salary of 46,624,160 KRW (Monthly Salary of 3,885,347 KRW, Gross).
- Bonuses
-Two additional bonuses in June (92% of monthly salary) and December (100% of monthly salary). - Housing unit or housing allowance
-A single dormitory unit operated by Incheon Global Campus (IGC) will be provided for non-Korean candidates. If the selected candidate holds Korean nationality or is a permanent resident of Korea, a housing unit cannot be provided. Instead, a monthly housing allowance of KRW 725,000 will be provided. - Two hometown roundtrip tickets (for non-Korean candidates only)
-A non-Korean candidate will be provided, on a yearly basis, with two roundtrip tickets to their hometown (with a cost of up to 4,000,000 KRW). - Severance
-Severance shall be paid when the contract ends and if the candidate worked for more than one year. - Private health insurance
-Marsh private health insurance is provided, which includes basic medical reimbursements. - Extensive annual paid leave and holidays
-The selected candidate shall have 35 days of paid annual leave per year.
-Additional holidays: from Christmas (Dec 25) to New Year (Jan 1).
