Doctoral fellow

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 Bioscience Engineering (Department of Green Chemistry and Technology) and the École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l’État (ENTPE Lyon, France, research cluster LEHNA), we are looking for a PhD candidate (m/f/x).

YOUR TASKS

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are a major source of water pollution during periods of heavy and prolonged rainfall. Since the revision of the European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive entered into force in 2024, EU Member States are required to drastically reduce discharges of untreated CSOs. One of the most effective solutions to treat CSO water consists of treatment wetlands, which are part of the broader group of nature-based solutions. Such treatment wetlands have already been implemented in several countries and enable partial removal of solid particles and dissolved pollutants as well as reducing hydraulic pressure, thereby significantly improving surface water quality and mitigating impacts on river morphology.

In the OPRA project, research groups and companies from Belgium, France and Spain will jointly study the effects of CSOs on surface water quality and biodiversity, with a particular focus on benthic macroinvertebrates. In addition, the mitigating effects of treatment wetlands will be investigated, as well as how their effectiveness can be further improved.

As a PhD researcher, you will contribute to:

• Monitoring several full-scale CSO treatment wetlands (influent and effluent concentrations, quality of surface water and sediments upstream and downstream of the discharge point).
• Determining particle size distributions in CSO water and sludge from existing wetlands, in order to adapt design guidelines and a software tool (COCKLE).
• Performing column experiments with different particle loadings to establish the maximum possible load and thus the required filter surface area.
• Providing data to and interacting with project partners who will carry out modelling of CSO systems.
• Disseminating project results through scientific publications, conference presentations, etc.

The PhD research will therefore include both laboratory experiments and field investigations. The main place of employment is Ghent University, Campus Kortrijk. Part of the research (± 6 months) will be done at ENTPE (Université de Lyon, France) under the supervision of Prof. Katharina Tondera.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who meets the following requirements:
• You hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Environmental Sciences or Environmental Engineering. The degree requirements must be fulfilled by the time of appointment.
• You have a solid background in biological and chemical water quality, as well as in wastewater treatment; knowledge of nature-based solutions for water treatment is considered an asset.
• You have demonstrable experience in the analysis of wastewater and/or sludge.
• You are a motivated, accurate, and diligent person who works well in a team and pays attention to detail and precision.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required; additional communication skills in Dutch and French are an advantage.
• A driver’s license (B) is preferred, enabling you to carry out fieldwork independently.
• You are willing to work several months abroad (Lyon, France).

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 December 1st, 2025 at the earliest.
• 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.

INTERESTED?

Send your CV, copy of your diploma (if already in your possession) and a motivation letter to diederik.rousseau@ugent.be, ultimately on 23 October 2025. We do not accept late applications.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Diederik Rousseau (diederik.rousseau@ugent.be).
The selection committee will first review the submitted candidate files, and based on this invite the most suitable candidates for an online assessment and online interview.