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 (ARWU ranking, US News), and in the top 100 for the subjects Biotechnology and Environmental Science (2025 QS subject ranking #53 in global). Ghent University Global Campus is an equal opportunities employer.
Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology (GREAT), formerly known as Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) is one of the six existing research and education centers of GUGC. It was established in 2015 with the aim of delivering scientific outcomes that will have a real impact on the consolidation of environmental issues, themes, and topics, and to do this under one umbrella to highlight their interconnectedness and interdisciplinary nature. GREAT targets to pioneer green chemistry and environmental technology to tackle the grand challenges in environmental remediation and sustainable development. In the 10 years of development, GREAT was well-equipped with state-of-the-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 Korea's national and international top universities.
Sustainable Environmental Engineering Laboratory (SEELab), led by Dr Di Wu, was established in 2021. It is a part of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (Belgium) and Ghent University Global Campus (South Korea). SEELab focuses on developing sustainable solutions to address water and environmental challenges, promoting long-term sustainability.
Job Summary
Job Position
SEELab is planning to recruit 1-2 researchers at the level of Research Associate (Postdoc) or Research Assistant (PhD study) in the field of Environmental Microbiome and Biomanufacturing in the Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology at Ghent University Global Campus, starting from February 1, 2026 (open to negotiation).
The candidate is expected to conduct research in the area of Environmental Biomanufacturing. This project is to utilize the state-of-the-art technology in Synthetic Communities (SynCom) to design, build, and manage living ecosystems—typically microbial consortia—to address real environmental challenges with precision and scalability. By integrating synthetic biology, ecology, and systems/process engineering, it creates stable, controllable communities that outperform single strains in complex settings. Applications span pollution cleanup, where division of metabolic labor enables degradation of persistent contaminants; resource recovery, capturing nitrogen, phosphorus, and critical metals from wastewater and industrial effluents while producing valuable products (microbial protein, functional saccharides, etc); and climate resilience (CO2 capture/conversion; bioremedation); also supports water and soil health by suppressing pathogens and restoring ecosystem functions in agriculture and aquaculture, and enables in situ monitoring through living biosensors. Core methods include rational community design with complementary functional roles, genetic programming for inducible activity and safety, ecological stabilization through biofilms, encapsulation, and spatial structuring, and model-guided engineering that couples genome-scale and agent-based models with iterative lab-to-field scaling. Embedded in reactors, wetlands, filters, or living materials, these engineered consortia improve efficiency and selectivity at low contaminant concentrations, reduce energy and chemical inputs, and advance a circular economy by turning wastes into resources.
The candidate should also collaborate with the supervisor to execute research projects and apply for research grants at the national and international levels.
Job Qualification (Profile of the Candidate)
Job Description
Application Documents
Di.wu@ghent.ac.kr (Subject line: GREAT_EMB_Surname). Please note that only the selected candidate(s) will be contacted for the next step.
Application Process and Interview
For submission of your file and any inquiries, please contact us via e-mail: Di.wu@ghent.ac.kr
Selection Process
Compensation & Benefits for the candidate selected.
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 (ARWU ranking, US News), and in the top 100 for the subjects Biotechnology and Environmental Science (2025 QS subject ranking #53 in global). Ghent University Global Campus is an equal opportunities employer.
Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology (GREAT), formerly known as Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) is one of the six existing research and education centers of GUGC. It was established in 2015 with the aim of delivering scientific outcomes that will have a real impact on the consolidation of environmental issues, themes, and topics, and to do this under one umbrella to highlight their interconnectedness and interdisciplinary nature. GREAT targets to pioneer green chemistry and environmental technology to tackle the grand challenges in environmental remediation and sustainable development. In the 10 years of development, GREAT was well-equipped with state-of-the-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 Korea's national and international top universities.
Sustainable Environmental Engineering Laboratory (SEELab), led by Dr Di Wu, was established in 2021. It is a part of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (Belgium) and Ghent University Global Campus (South Korea). SEELab focuses on developing sustainable solutions to address water and environmental challenges, promoting long-term sustainability.
Job Summary
| Full-Time Researcher (Postdoc/PhD) in Environmental Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology – Ghent University Global Campus Department : Centre for Green Ghemistry and Environmental Biotechnology (KR01 – Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology and Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University Global Campus, Korea) Degree: PhD degree (for Postdoc) or Master degree (for PhD) in Environmental Microbiome and Biomanufacturing and other major directly relevant to the topic. Contract: 1 year (renewable subject to performance). Occupancy rate: 100% Vacancy Type: Assistant Academic Staff (AAP) Last application date: December 20, 2025 (Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as the position will be filled upon finding the right candidate) Starting date: February 1, 2026 (negotiable) Scientific Supervisor: Prof. dr. ir. Di Wu (di.wu@ghent.ac.kr) |
Job Position
SEELab is planning to recruit 1-2 researchers at the level of Research Associate (Postdoc) or Research Assistant (PhD study) in the field of Environmental Microbiome and Biomanufacturing in the Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology at Ghent University Global Campus, starting from February 1, 2026 (open to negotiation).
The candidate is expected to conduct research in the area of Environmental Biomanufacturing. This project is to utilize the state-of-the-art technology in Synthetic Communities (SynCom) to design, build, and manage living ecosystems—typically microbial consortia—to address real environmental challenges with precision and scalability. By integrating synthetic biology, ecology, and systems/process engineering, it creates stable, controllable communities that outperform single strains in complex settings. Applications span pollution cleanup, where division of metabolic labor enables degradation of persistent contaminants; resource recovery, capturing nitrogen, phosphorus, and critical metals from wastewater and industrial effluents while producing valuable products (microbial protein, functional saccharides, etc); and climate resilience (CO2 capture/conversion; bioremedation); also supports water and soil health by suppressing pathogens and restoring ecosystem functions in agriculture and aquaculture, and enables in situ monitoring through living biosensors. Core methods include rational community design with complementary functional roles, genetic programming for inducible activity and safety, ecological stabilization through biofilms, encapsulation, and spatial structuring, and model-guided engineering that couples genome-scale and agent-based models with iterative lab-to-field scaling. Embedded in reactors, wetlands, filters, or living materials, these engineered consortia improve efficiency and selectivity at low contaminant concentrations, reduce energy and chemical inputs, and advance a circular economy by turning wastes into resources.
The candidate should also collaborate with the supervisor to execute research projects and apply for research grants at the national and international levels.
Job Qualification (Profile of the Candidate)
- Hold, or expect to hold a PhD degree (for Postdoc) or a Master degree (for PhD) in one of the following disciplines: Environmental Science and Technology, Bioengineering/Chemical Engineering, Synthetic biology/microbial communities, Biomanufacturing.
- Have solid and relevant lab experimental or policy experiences in the aforementioned research area; have top-tier journal publication(s) in environmental science and economics.
- Have an excellent command of English, and good academic writing and presentation skills – GUGC’s working medium is English, working fluently in English is a must.
- Team spirit and an inquisitive, self-motive attitude, as well as independent learning/research ability, are essential; can take leadership among team members.
Job Description
- Conduct research in the area of environmental microbiome and biomanufacturing
- To assist his/her supervisor(s) with tasks in ongoing and future R&D projects and research-led educations (e.g. Master/Bachelor/Highschool student(s) teaching activities).
- The detailed working plan will be explored based on the background and interests of the individual candidate (e.g., supporting fellowship application, transferring technology for application and commercialization).
- Scientific background and knowledge
- Working experiences
Application Documents
- A Motivation Letter
- Full resume (CV), including at least 2 references’ contacts
- Research statement and vision (within four pages)
- Others (subjected to the requirement)
Di.wu@ghent.ac.kr (Subject line: GREAT_EMB_Surname). Please note that 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.
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) (including oral evaluation and/or written evaluation) -> Internal committee -> Approval -> Acceptance Notice to the candidate selected.
Compensation & Benefits for the candidate selected.
- Basic Terms of the Contract : 1 year-contract term (renewable upon committee’s evaluation)
- Salary : Salary will be commensurate with the candidate's experience
- Private Health Insurances : Marsh private health insurance provided, including basic medical reimbursements
- Extensive annual paid leave and holidays : The selected candidate shall have 35 days paid annual leave per year / Additional holiday from Christmas (Dec 25) to New Year (Jan 1).
- Others : To be discussed
