Research Assistant/PhD candidate in Environmental Process Technology – Ghent University Global Campus
Job Summary
Position: Full-Time Research Assistant (PhD Candidate) – Ghent University Global Campus
Department: Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology
Degree: Master in Environmental or Chemical Engineering
Contract: 1-year fixed-term contract, renewable upon evaluation (Max. 4 years PhD study)
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy Type: Assistant Academic Staff (AAP)
Last application date: 30 Sep 2024
Starting date: 1 Dec 2024 (negotiable)
Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ir. Di Wu (di.wu@ghent.ac.kr)
Introduction
Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC; http://www.ugent.be/globalcampus/en) is an integrated campus of Ghent University, Belgium, and the first European university to be part of the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) in Incheon, South Korea. Ghent University is one of the top 100 universities in the world (e.g. ARWU ranking, US News), and in the top 100 for the subjects Biotechnology and Environmental Science (the recent QS subject ranking #46 in global). Ghent University Global Campus is an equal opportunities employer.
Centre for GReen chEmistry and environmentAl Technology (GREAT) is one of the five existing research centers of GUGC. It was established in 2015 with the aim of delivering scientific outcomes that will have a real impact on consolidation of environmental issues, themes, and topics, and to do this under one umbrella to highlight their interconnectedness and interdisciplinary nature. GREAT targets at the development of microbiological and nano-scale science and technology for the next generation of advanced functional materials and process technologies that enable solutions for various environmental and energy problems. In the 8 years’ development, GREAT was well-equipped with state-of-art instruments for environmental and material science research, published >300 papers, and received national and international funding support (e.g. NRF, KEITI, NERI, BOF, FWO, Horizon2020, etc.), and built strong collaborations with Belgian, Korean and oversea top universities.
Laboratory of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (LESE; www.dwese.com) led by Dr Di Wu was recently established in GUGC (from 2021), with a focus on water-energy research and resource recovery process technology. To expand its research capacity, LESE plans to recruit a new academic member for a resarch assistant position (concurrent with PhD study) focused on innovative, integrated environmental process technology. The candidate will collaborate with scientific staff and engineers to conduct pilot-scale experiences on sulfur cycle-associate anammox bioprocess and investigate the extraction of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) from sulfur-anammox biomass (Ref.: Water Research 224, 119051; Water Research 233, 119775). According to the research project needs, the candidate need to conduct collaborative research in GUGC (South Korea) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST, Hong Kong) for the collaborative research project, as described on the website https://wwrf.hkust.edu.hk/).
Job Position
Ghent University Global Campus, South Korea, has a vacancy for a Research Assistant (PhD Candidate), starting from 1 Dec 2024 (open to negotiation). The request(s) and standard(s) for the PhD in GUGC is equivalent to Ghent University's home campus (the PhD certificate will be awarded by the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium). It concerns a 1-year full-time position for a renewable period of a maximum of 4 years (for PhD study).
The candidate will work at the Center of Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology of the Ghent University Global Campus (South Korea), and the Chinese National Engineering Research Center for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong) for joint research.
Job Qualification (Profile of the Candidate)
- Hold, or expect to hold, by 30 Aug. 2024, a Master's degree in one of the following disciplines: Environmental or Chemical Engineering.
- Have solid and relevant lab experimental experiences in biological wastewater treatment research area; having publication(s) in environmental science and technologies is a plus.
- Have an excellent command of English (e.g. a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT test or 6.5 IELTS test), and good academic writing and presentation skills – GUGC’s working medium is English, working fluency in English is a must.
- Team spirit and inquisitive, self-motive attitude as well as independent learning/research ability are essential; can take leadership among team members.
Job Description
- To conduct research in the area of Environmental Engineering Science related to biological wastewater treatment and resource recovery.
- The detailed working plan will explore upon the background and interests of the individual candidate (e.g. supporting national/international fellowship application, pursuing PhD study, transferring technology for application and commercialization).
- To finalize the doctoral thesis within the given period with good publications.
- To assist his/her supervisor(s) with tasks in ongoing and future R&D projects.
Selection Criteria
- Scientific background and knowledge
- Working experiences
Application Documents
- Motivation letter (1-page)
- Full resume (CV), including at least 2 references’ contacts
- Copy of the transcripts for bachelor and master study (overview of study results and ranking)
- Others (subjected to the requirement in the later stage)
The documents shall be merged into a single PDF file (<10MB) and sent to di.wu@ghent.ac.kr (Subject line: PhD_Application_Surname). Please be kindly noted only the selected candidate(s) will be contacted for the next step.
Application Process and Interview
- Interviews (in-person or online) will take place in stages from the first available time.
- Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as the position will be filled upon finding the right candidate.
- We reserve the right to hold applications on file for potential future job openings.
- For submission of your file and any inquiries, please contact us via e-mail: di.wu@ghent.ac.kr
Selection Process
- CV Screening -> Interview(s) -> Internal Committee -> Acceptance Notice.
Compensation & Benefits for the candidate selected.
- Standard Terms for RA/PhD at GUGC (or HKUST)
