Last application date Jan 31, 2025 00:00
Department TW11 - Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering
Contract Limited duration
Degree PhD in Engineering
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy type Research staff
Job description
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, 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 85 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.
For the (faculty/department/research group) we are looking for a m/f/x
Postdoctoral fellow
YOUR JOB
- Belgium has been taking a leading position in the transition towards a hydrogen economy thanks to many companies and research institutes active in hydrogen technologies. In addition, Belgium has currently the second largest hydrogen pipeline network in the world and has a strategic position in Western Europe as an import and transit hub for renewable H2 molecules.
- In the context of these global and local evolutions, Ghent University (UGent) focuses on an important link in the future hydrogen economy, being the storage of hydrogen in pressurized composite tanks, both in the vehicle itself as in refueling stations. Indeed, the success of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles depends both on the development of safe storage options in the vehicle, as well as a supporting refueling infrastructure.
- UGent-MMS is partner in a large new research project with several leading companies in the automotive industry. This research project aims at developing composite solutions for future hydrogen storage tanks. This postdoc vacancy is focused on the experimental characterization of composites for hydrogen tanks. This includes measurement of physical and mechanical properties, instrumentation and data acquisition on full tanks and assessment of solutions for Structural Health Monitoring. The research will be done in close collaboration with the involved industrial partners.
- The postdoc researcher will also closely work together with the other doctoral and postdoctoral colleagues that work on composite hydrogen tanks, to form a strong and complementary team for this highly challenging research topic..
Job profile
- You hold a doctorate degree in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Computational Mechanics, etc.) or a diploma or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
- In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit.
- Exceptonal scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
- The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:
- the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher
- the researcher is funded by the Marie-Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
- Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
- You should have a strong interest in experimental mechanics of composite materials, and should be enthusiastic to work in a collaborative project between industry and academia.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer a full time position as a postdoctoral fellow, with a minimum period of 24 months which can be extended twice taking into account the maximum period of 36 months.
- In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
- Your contract will start on 1/1/2025 at the earliest.
- The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. Click here for 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 holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
How to apply
Send your CV, transcripts of records of Bachelor and Master studies, copy of your PhD diploma (if already in your possession) and a motivation letter to wim.vanpaepegem@ugent.be.
We do not accept late applications.
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Wim VAN PAEPEGEM (wim.vanpaepegem@ugent.be, +32(0)9/331 04 32)
