Research Coordinator Belgian Fries Pilot (27111)

   →  Apply before 30/04/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
   →  Faculty of Bioscience Engineering  
   →  Department: BW23 - Levensmiddelentechnologie, Voedselveiligheid en Gezondheid
   →  Occupancy rate: 100%
   →  Number of positions: 1    
   →  Type of employment: Contract of limited duration 
   →  Term of assignment: 2 jaar, with the possibility of an extension of the contract 
   →  Wage scale:  PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree) 
   →  Required diploma: PhD 

ABOUT UGENT

Ghent University is a world unto itself. More than 15 000 staff work there every day in teaching and research, management and administration, technical and social services, etc. For them, Ghent University is a logical choice: it is one of the largest, most exciting and forward-looking employers in the region. Ghent University has 11 faculties and more than 80 departments, offering high-quality, research-supported courses in each of the scientific disciplines.

ABOUT THE BELGIAN FRIES PILOT

The Belgian Fries Pilot is part of the VEG-i-TEC pilot infrastructure at the UGent Campus Kortrijk. VEG-i-TEC is a living lab for the potato and vegetable processing industry. The innovative pilot infrastructure allows to carry out industrially relevant research on fried food products, such as potatoes, vegetables, but also meat and fish products and vegetarian alternatives.

The pilot plant came about at the initiative of Flanders' FOOD and was financed by EFRO, VLAIO, Province of West Flanders, UGent, Belgapom, Vandemoortele and Flanders' FOOD.

The pilot plant is embedded in UGent's Department of Food Technology, Food Safety and Health. The research is carried out in collaboration with the research groups of Campus Coupure and Schoonmeersen in Ghent.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

As research coordinator of the Belgian Fries Pilot, you will help to build the strategy to make this pilot plant thé point of contact for partners in Europe and beyond who want to conduct industrially relevant research on fried foods. You are the responsible for implementing this strategy. To this end, you actively establish contacts with these partners, work with them to develop bilateral or collective research or service projects and also follow up and coordinate some of these projects yourself. You develop strategies to valorise the project results in consultation with UGent Business Developers.

The first years, you will manage the strategic basic research project 'Intelligent Fry'. This project aims to gain insight into the impact of the multi-stage production process of frozen pre-fried fries on the quality of consumable Belgian fries and on water management requirements, as a function of the variable characteristics of the incoming potato.

This project is carried out by UGent (Department of Food Technology, Food Safety and Health), KULeuven (research group Mebios) and Flanders' Food. Within UGent, the research is carried out at Campus Coupure and Campus Kortrijk (VEG-i-TEC) where the unique pilot infrastructure of the 'Belgian Fries Pilot' will be deployed.

You manage the project within UGent and, in consultation with the project partners, follow up the scientific part of the entire project. Within UGent, you are responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the project and for managing a PhD student in consultation with the academic promoters. You are in close contact with the operational management of the VEG-i-TEC pilot plant, the lab coordinators of the research groups involved and the research and industrial partners involved to realise the project objectives.

You develop a strategy to valorise the project results in consultation with the project partners and the industrial advisory board. You implement this strategy at the level of the Belgian Fries Pilot and also generate new bilateral or collective research projects in which this infrastructure plays a central role.

YOUR PROFILE

- You obtained a PhD degree.

- You have experience in food technology research.

- You have experience in project management (i.e. organisational, financial, scientific).

- You have a good knowledge of current software packages (MS Office), more specifically in the area of spreadsheets (including macros), presentations, databases.

- You have an affinity with the agri-food sector and possibly its suppliers (machine builders, water technology, sensor suppliers, etc.). A demonstrable network within these sectors is an added advantage.

- You can communicate fluently and clearly both orally and in writing in Dutch and English. Knowledge of French and German is an advantage.

- You are able to operate smoothly at the interface between academic institutions, industrial partners and network organisations; as well as with students.

- You are a team player and have sufficient leadership skills.

- You can work independently in a well-organised manner.

- You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative.

- You are flexible.

- You know how to set priorities and can make decisions in consultation.

- You are customer-oriented.

OUR OFFER

• We offer you a 2-year contract. Extension or conversion to an open-ended contract is possible.
• The earliest employment date is after closure of the selection procedure.
• Remuneration will be according to bar scale PD1, depending on your experience. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• Furthermore, every UGent staff member can count on a number of benefits, such as a broad training and education offer, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time position), a bicycle allowance, eco vouchers, etc. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

INTEREST?

Apply online via e-recruitment only until the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications not delivered via the online application.

You must attach the following documents to your application:

• In the 'CV' field: your CV
• In the 'Motivation letter' field: your motivation letter
• In the 'Diploma' field: a copy of your highest diploma
• In the 'Other documents' field: e-mail address and phone number of three people we can contact as references

Please note: each field has a limitation of maximum 10 MB.

UGent pursues an equal opportunities and diversity policy and therefore encourages everyone to apply.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information related to this vacancy, please contact Prof Bruno De Meulenaer (bruno.demeulenaer@UGent.be, +32 9 264 61 66). Please note: do not send your application via e-mail, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read our FAQ or contact helpdesk (dpo@ugent.be - tel. 09/264 98 98).