Onboarding

Starting a Postdoc at Ghent University

Are you eager to contribute to pioneering research and top-level education? Join Ghent University — a vibrant community of over 15,000 staff members — and help shape a brighter future.

Working at Ghent University

Explore what it means to work here: from attractive benefits to practical arrival tips and integration support.

Discover our benefits

Finding a Postdoc Opportunity

Postdoctoral candidates are encouraged to reach out directly to a member of the senior academic staff to discuss potential opportunities within their research group. A great way to start is by exploring Research Explorer, which provides an overview of Ghent University's researchers, projects, departments, faculties, research units, publications, and research infrastructure.

Funding Your Postdoc

You can either apply for personal funding or pursue a funded vacancy.

Visit our Funding Page for detailed guidance. A comprehensive overview of postdoctoral funding opportunities is also available through the Ghent University Research Portal.

Alternatively, you may apply for an open postdoctoral vacancy — these are fully funded positions within projects awarded to a senior academic host. Applications can be submitted following the procedures outlined on our job site.

Onboarding Journey for Postdocs

Ghent University is home to outstanding young research talent. Curious about what makes Ghent University a great place to work? The previous link tells you more. Once you've chosen Ghent University, it's time to prepare for your next adventure - from what to arrange before your arrival to how to settle in once you're here.

We are currently developing a dedicated onboarding journey for postdocs — an online course designed to guide you through everything you need to know for a successful postdoctoral experience at Ghent University.

Planned launch: 2026–2027

Stay tuned for updates!

Support for international staff

The International Staff Office (NL) assists international researchers in their journey to Belgium. The team provides guidance on Single Permit applications, onboarding and counselling for work-related travel abroad.

The office also offers an informative session, titled "Navigating Belgium's Rights to Work and Live: A Comprehensive Overview for International Job Seekers" (employees only), which helps you understand the essentials of working and living in Flanders.

International postdoctoral researchers may also find the following pages useful:

Housing facilities

To learn more about accommodation options, please visit the page Housing for international guests, staff members and internship students.