• Last application date: Aug 15, 2012 17:00
• Department: LA06 - Department of Biochemical and microbial technology
• Contract: bepaald
• Degree: PhD degree in environmental engineering, industrial biotechnology, electrochemical engineering or equivalent
• Occupancy rate: 100%
• Vacancy Type: wp

Job Description

LabMET is one of the core research groups in the Multidisciplinary Research Platform “Biotechnology for a sustainable economy” which involves research groups across Ghent University and employs five tenure track academics as well as several postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. The key goal of this platform is the development of biorefineries to convert biomass to valuable fuels and biochemicals. More information can be found at http://www.ugent.be/ghent-bio-economy/en
For the LabMET node of this project we are seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to perform research on resource recovery from biorefinery streams. The fellow will be involved in process and technology development to produce and recover organic compounds from biorefinery side streams. We are also interfacing with downstream anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis research. The fellow will drive research as well as assist in the supervision of PhD students.

Candidates should have a PhD in environmental or industrial biotechnology/engineering and relevant experience concerning mixed culture fermentation, and/or bioreactor operation, and/or microbial ecology.

Title: Postdoctoral research fellow “Resource recovery”
Type of employment: Full time, fixed term appointment for 3 years
Closing date: August 15 2012, applications will be regularly reviewed prior to the deadline hence early application is recommended

More information: Prof. Korneel Rabaey, Korneel.rabaey@ugent.be; +3292645976

Profile

Essential

• A PhD degree in environmental engineering, industrial biotechnology, electrochemical engineering or equivalent completed before the start date of the position.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of bioreactor operation, mixed culture fermentations, environmental engineering and microbiology.
• Ability to generate high-impact research publications.
• Ability to rigorously design experiments and to perform experiments under well-controlled conditions
• Ability to perform in-depth and critical data analysis
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team particularly covering biological and chemical sciences

Desirable

• Demonstrated capability in project management
• Knowledge of electrochemistry and electrochemical engineering
• Potential to provide academic supervision to postgraduate students
• Potential for contributing to research program development, including external grant applications.

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in laboratory scale bioreactor operation, fermentations, digestion, potentially (bio)electrochemical systems
• Experience in environmental or chemical engineering
• Extensive experience with the operation and study of complex microbial processes
• Evidence of high-quality publications in the aforementioned areas

Desirable

• Experience with microbial ecology and molecular microbial techniques
• Experience with microscopic methods to study complex microbial communities in a laboratory environment

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with team members from different backgrounds and with different tasks
• Focused on delivering high quality science
• Willingness to travel internationally for project meetings and conferences
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Good communication and time management skills and the ability to meet objectives within set deadlines
• High level communication, inter-personal and management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimum supervision
• Determination and ability to work to deadlines
• Outcome focused
   

Apply

Applications must be sent via email to labmet.recruitment@ugent.be as pdf or word documents. Applications must consist of the following:

1. Covering Letter. The covering letter should include the position reference, your contact address and telephone number. It is an opportunity in not more than one page to introduce yourself and highlight the key reasons you should be considered for the role.
2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae. A resume is a brief history of your employment and experience that covers the following areas: (1) Educational qualifications and professional affiliations that detail the full title of the qualification, the year awarded and the title of the institution attended; (2) Employment history in chronological order, starting with current position and specifying dates of employment, title of each position, name of employer, main duties or accountabilities and achievements; and (3) The names and contact details (address, telephone, fax and e-mail) of three referees, including if possible a senior person (preferably your supervisor or the head of your organisational unit) closely associated with your current work.
3. Selection Criteria. A statement addressing how each of the selection criteria have been met is required to assist the Selection Committee determine whether you have the relevant qualifications, knowledge/skills, experience and personal qualities.

An academic curriculum vitae should include research fields and current interests, publications (full list as attachment with three most significant marked with an asterisk), research grants awarded and, if applicable, details of teaching evaluation.

Selection process

A Selection Committee will consider all applications and shortlist candidates for interview who appear to meet the selection criteria at the highest levels. They will be invited to attend an interview and the remaining unsuccessful applicants will be notified accordingly.

An invitation to attend an interview provides an opportunity to provide further information to the Selection Committee to substantiate your claims against the selection criteria or demonstrate your capabilities. Please note that for some positions interviews may be conducted by teleconference in the first instance.

The Selection Committee will subsequently seek referee reports, if not sought prior to interview, before making a decision to make an offer of appointment to the preferred candidate. The purpose of referee checks is to obtain, in confidence, factual information about your past work history, as well as opinions regarding the quality of your work, behaviour in the work place and suitability for the position. Referee reports may be sought orally, or for academic staff, in writing by post or e-mail.

Referees should normally include current supervisors or and/or managers. A referee must be able to comment on your work experience, skills and performance with respect to the selection criteria. Referee checks conducted after the interview process can sometimes delay notification of the successful candidate and other interviewees.

If you are the preferred candidate, you will receive a written offer of appointment to the position. Do not take any action, such as resigning from your current position, before you receive a written offer of appointment.