Let's shape the future - University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6 000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.
The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences of the University of Antwerp is looking for a full-time postdoctoral researcher to improve our understanding of the human exposure pathways of PFAS and PFAS-free alternatives in the health care sector, part of the EU HORIZON-IHI project PFAROS. This position will aim at performing high-quality research related to human exposure to PFAS (including F-polymers) from all types of production equipment, consumables, packaging, delivery devices, medical devices, complex machinery parts, and cleaning agents used in the health care sector. Existing data will be enriched with innovative measurements on leachables/extractables using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. The research will be executed at the Toxicological Centre of the University of Antwerp (TC, UA), Belgium, which has extensive analytical expertise and instrumental capabilities related to human exposure assessment and environmental and analytical toxicology.
Position
- You will contribute to mapping of PFAS use across healthcare to support substitution and risk assessment. Together with other project partners, you will categorize PFAS by properties and functions, compile toxicity, fate, exposure, and supply-chain data, and document potential PFAS-free alternatives.
- You will contribute to the chemical analysis of PFAS and PFAS-free alternatives in selected articles and products using state-of-the-art chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques, including (non-targeted) screening and cheminformatics approaches.
- You will contribute to the exposure assessment including extractables/leachables with the compilation of existing data, exposure modelling and analysis of selected scenarios using fit-for-purpose standardised methods (e.g. ISO, CEN etc.) or LC-HRMS and/or GC-HRMS. This includes human health exposure through leachables during use.
- For the tasks mentioned above, you will refine and implement existing analytical methods at the TC and validate new methods for PFAS in matrices of emerging interest.
- You will conduct research and publish your results to disseminate scientific insights.
- You will contribute to attracting external funding for the TC and will coordinate project proposals in the field of PFAS research.
- You will participate in the provision of academic services: you will represent the research group both internally and externally.
- You will build and maintain international scientific contacts.
- You will supervise and evaluate Master and PhD students with a view to successfully completing and defending their thesis.
Profile
- You hold a PhD in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, biomedical or environmental sciences, pharmaceutical sciences or a similar discipline. The preferred candidate should have an excellent track-record of peer-reviewed publications in recognized journals in the field and experience with external funding.
- You have experience with target and non-target analysis of PFAS at trace levels (by LC and/or GC-(HR)MS) in different matrices. Additional experience with consumer (polymeric) products and leaching testing will be beneficial.
- You have experience in bioinformatics to process (HR)MS data for annotation workflows and statistical analyses.
- You are up-to-date with technical developments in the field of analytical chemistry and will integrate them in your research.
- Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
- You possess excellent English communication skills, both written and oral.
- You are available to work full time, with high motivation, good planning, communication, and organizational skills. You also act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
- You can work effectively both independently and in team, as part of a multidisciplinary, international, and multicultural team; you can manage conflicting demands and meet deadlines.
What we offer
- We offer a full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder for a period of 12 months, with possibility of extension to 36 months following positive evaluation.
- The planned start date is 1st November 2026 or as soon as possible after that date.
- Scientific development opportunities in an international cooperative, interdisciplinary research environment and an excellent working atmosphere in a very dynamic, international and professional team.
- Extensive state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure.
- The opportunity to present your data on international conferences and participate in workshops.
- Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
- You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
- Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.
Want to apply?
- You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 17th August 2026 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
- a motivation letter
- your academic CV
- 1-2 letters of recommendation
- The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
- If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dr. Adrian Covaci ([email protected]).
The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.
