Doctoral fellow

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University employs more than 15.000 people, and 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.

YOUR TASKS

As a research fellow, you will conduct academic research on the intersection of textile engineering, industrial design engineering, and movement sciences. The main objective of this position is to write a doctoral thesis in these fields within a period of 4 years. This includes studying and developing methodologies, prototypes and frameworks, as well as conducting experiments and assessments. These activities are taking place within two broader international projects with stakeholders in industry and different European counties. In addition, you will be involved in the operations and services of the associated research groups (Center for Textile Science and Engineering, imec-mict-UGent, design.nexus & Rehabilitation Sciences) and their educational programs.

We are seeking two highly motivated PhD candidates to join a interdisciplinary team as doctoral fellow in the area of comfort of advanced protective clothing. The work will be carried out in the framework of two international projects funded through the European Defence Agency.

In advanced protective clothing, such as for first responders and military, ergonomic and thermos physiological comfort are often jeopardized. The purpose of the research is to better understand how to improve the balance between comfort (in particular ergonomic and thermo physiological) and protection (in particular impact and broad spectrum camouflage). The work for both studies includes developing high end subjective and objective methods to quantify the two types of comfort, modelling and simulation of how the design affects comfort and validation by prototyping. The multi scale modelling addresses the behaviour of multilayer fibre based structures in terms of mechanics (ergonomics in posture and movement) and transfer of heat and moisture (thermo physiological).

Throughout the project, the two candidates will work closely together. The research will be supported by three UGent centers related to textiles (CTSE), movement and rehabilitation sciences and the imec research group for media, innovation and contemporary technologies (imec-mict-UGent).

These positions offer the opportunity to contribute to a highly relevant field at the interface of (smart) textiles, monitoring of physical effort and the human factor. The ultimate goal of these PhD trajectories is the successful completion and defense of a doctoral degree at Ghent University.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You have a Master’s Degree, with a background in engineering (preferably material sciences/textiles, biomedical, industrial design) or human-centered design or movement and rehabilitation sciences.
• You demonstrate a keen interest in multidisciplinary scientific research in a context of collaboration.
• You are interested in design, modelling and simulation, prototyping, experimentation and/or human movement.
• You excel at academic research (analytical thinking, processing literature, academic writing, developing research designs, etc.), but also at operational aspects such as organizing experiments, workshops, etc.
• You have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• You can work independently and meticulously.
• Your English is fluent, both speaking and writing.
• You have a design oriented mindset and are open to interpreting the subject broadly and critically.
• Candidates comply with criteria imposed by the funding organization.

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.
• Collaboration in a multi-disciplinary and international context, including the opportunity to join international meetings and conferences
• Your contract will start on 01/01/2026 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 before November 30, 2025 (23:59) to lieva.vanlangenhove@ugent.be. We do not accept late applications.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact:
Prof. Lieva Van Langenhove (lieva.vanlangenhove@ugent.be, +32 9 264 5419)
Prof. Bas Baccarne (bastiaan.baccarne@ugent.be tel +32 9 264 91 83)
Prof. Dirk Cambier (dirk.cambier@ugent.be; tel +32 9 332 26 60)