Doctoral fellow - Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis

Last application date May 15, 2025 00:00

Department FW02 - Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis

Contract Limited duration

Degree See job profile

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 a joint project between the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis) and the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology), we are looking for a m/f/x doctoral fellow.

Doctoral fellow

YOUR JOB

The presence of pharmaceutical residues in surface water is a growing problem in Europe, which is expected to worsen due to population aging and climate change. Up to 90% of orally administered medicines can end up in the water, leading to consequences such as abnormalities in aquatic organisms and the emergence of antibiotic resistance, which also poses a risk to public health.

In this Interreg NWE project, in collaboration with research groups from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Ireland, and Luxembourg, advanced technologies will be employed to treat wastewater as close to the source as possible. The doctoral project will therefore encompass various aspects, including: (1) the analysis of a selection of top-tier pharmaceuticals (and their metabolites) in wastewater matrices to calculate medicine removal rates; (2) the monitoring of ecotoxicity using bioassays and calculating the reduction of ecotoxicity and ecological risks; and (3) operate and follow-up a pilot-scale wastewater treatment plant.

Job profile

• You hold a Master’s degree (preferably) in Drug Development, Bioscience Engineering, Industrial Sciences (Biochemistry), Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Science and Technology, or an analogue degree that the selection committee considers relevant. The diploma requirements must be met by the time of appointment. Students that will graduate in July 2025 are also encouraged to apply.
• You have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research. The candidate is expected to contribute to all aspects of the project and to develop expertise in areas beyond their initial specialization.
• You are a motivated, diligent, and punctual person who works well in a team and pays close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on July 1st 2025 at the earliest (and September 1st 2025 at the latest).
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. 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, copy of your diploma (if already in your possession), a motivation letter (max. 1 page) and transcript of records to [email protected], the latest on May 15th 2025.

We do not accept late applications.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Evelien Wynendaele ([email protected], +32(0)9/264 81 00)