Last application date May 19, 2025 00:00
Department LA20 - Department of Environment
Contract Limited duration
Degree PhD in Mechatronics Engineering, Agriculture Engineering (not agronomy), Biosystems Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy type Research staff
Job description
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.
For the (faculty/department/research group) we are looking for a m/f/x
A 3-year postdoctoral position is available in Precision Soil and Crop Engineering Group (Precision Scoring), within the Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering in Ghent University (UGent), Belgium. We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist with a PhD degree to work on NitroScop EC funded project, aiming at providing a comprehensive understanding of soil N flux dynamics. NitroScope will make a combined use of different measurement techniques to reduce uncertainties and biases in N flux monitoring, including proximal sensing, remote sensing, Eddy covariance and in-situ continuous sampling accompanied by traditional laboratory analyses. NitroScope will benefit from the expertise of its partners to implement methodologies most suitable for specific pedo-climatic zones, as a cost-effective and practical way for long-term monitoring and to support various approaches for N flux modeling and analysis. Ghent University (UGent) is the coordination partner of the project, with Prof. Abdul Mouazen named as the project coordinator.
Postdoctoral fellow
YOUR JOB
You will be responsible for managing the NitroScope project overall supported by the project coordinator, and executing the tasks assigned to UGent. Regarding the project management, this concerns the follow up on delivery of tasks and deliverables assigned to the project partners. The execution of the technical tasks, however, necessitates leading the engineering research of the Precision Scoring towards the design, optimization and implementation of sensing platforms for the collection of data on soil, crop, water and air to enable precision agriculture decision making for nitrogen monitoring and management. The successful candidate will be responsible for networking, planning and running experiments (e.g., site specific N fertilization, manure application and bio-based fertilization) at 5 Pilots at 5 different European countries.
Other responsibilities include supporting the Precision Scoring group in:
- Assisting PhD and MSc students for field measurement, and design and implementation of new measurement or control systems.
- Submission of high quality publications in international scientific journals.
- Link and integrate research of different PhD students in the Group as deemed appropriate.
- Bridge research and promote collaborations between the Precision Scoring Group ( https://www.ugent.be/bw/environment/en/research/presco) and Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management group (SoFer - https://www.ugent.be/bw/environment/en/research/sofer) and other 24 European partners in NitroScope project, benefiting from this opportunity to the candidate to develop his/her international scientific profile.
- Contribute to group activities as requested by your promoter that are within the remit of the role, the grant, and the associated grade. This may include:
- Supporting the supervision of MSc and PhD students.
- Contribute to the writing of research proposals to the EC and various national, and international funding schemes.
- Assist in attracting new partners/members and students to the group.
- Provide guidance to other staff and students of the Department e.g., advise students on their progress and establish new research ideas.
Job profile
- You hold a doctoral degree or a diploma or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
- In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit.
- Exceptional scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
- The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:
- the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher
- the researcher is funded by the Marie- Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
- Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
- Has or will soon have a PhD degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Agriculture Engineering (not agronomy), Biosystems Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
- Has demonstrable knowledge in the use of basic engineering software and modelling languages, such as, MATLAB Toolbox, LabVIEW, DaisyLab, AutoCAD, C++…..
- Advanced knowledge in sensing technologies and measurement systems.
- Advanced knowledge in machine learning, deep learning and data fusion and modelling tools.
- A track record of publishing high-impact journal articles.
- Working in interdisciplinary environments, good contextual understanding of agricultural systems and the ability to work in the field is desirable.
- Possessing excellent project and time management skills to ensure that milestones and deliverables are achieved to time and to high quality.
- The candidate should have a high level of proficiency in English sufficient to communicate effectively with colleagues and write papers and reports.
- The candidate should be prepared to work in close collaboration with the supervising team as well as the PhD students working within the project, in the group or in the department.
- Good practical problem solver / Ability to find appropriate solutions to academic and technical problems.
- Ability to work as a member of a team within a dynamic research group.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer a full time position as a postdoctoral fellow, with a period of (minimum 12 months), which can be extended twice taking into account the maximum period of 36 months.
- In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
- Your contract will start on 01/10/2025 at the earliest.
- The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. 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.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted to Dr. Manuel Vázquez Arellano (e-mail: [email protected]) and copy Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen (e-mail: [email protected]) by 19th May 2025, enclosing the following documents:
- A cover letter outlining your academic interests, research experience and reasons for wishing to work on this project
- Detailed CV and publication record
- Two reference letters from academic workers
- Your PhD degree or an interim document if you are still finishing your PhD
- A verified transcript of your MSc and BSc degrees
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Abdul M. Mouazen ([email protected], +32(0)9 264 6247).
We do not accept late applications.
