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.

YOUR TASKS

• You will conduct scientific work with the aim of obtaining a doctoral degree.
• Your scientific work is framed in the UPLIFT project, which stands for “Upcycling Lignin Biorefinery Waste through Thermal Conversions”, and which is funded by Flanders innovation & entrepreneurship (VLAIO). As such, the project maintains strong connections the industry in Flanders, though an industrial advisory board. The project's starting date is April 1st, 2026.
• Within this project, you will contribute to a dedicated work package, led by the Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Research Group (TCCB, Prof. Frederik Ronsse). The broader consortium includes VITO (Sustainable Polymer Technology group) and Hasselt University (Analytical and Circular Chemistry research group), ensuring a multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment.
• The UPLIFT project aims to convert lignin into high‑value products for diverse industrial applications, including lignin‑derived oils for phenolic resins, surfactants, and polyurethanes, as well as emerging uses such as flame‑retardant materials.
• Your core research tasks in this project include (i) (hydro)pyrolysis of lignin residues towards lignin-oil, rich in phenolic monomers, dimers and oligomers and (ii) fractionation of the lignin-oil into useful fractions for project partners.
• To achieve this, you will perform fast pyrolysis of solid lignin residues on semi-continuous laboratory-scale setups (40-400 grams), and hydropyrolysis of solubilized lignin in autoclave reactors (ca. 300 mL), acquired for this project. You will also work on newly-acquired fractional distillation set-ups.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You have an interest in scientific and/or project-based research and services, particularly related to biomass conversion (as described in “Your Job”).
• You can work well in a team, as well as independently.
• You can communicate fluently in English (written and spoken).
• You are motivated to conduct scientific work within an (inter)national consortium and are willing to collect data or materials in external laboratories for specific purposes/periods.

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 01/04/2026 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 to Frederik.Ronsse@UGent.be and Stef.Ghysels@UGent.be