Last application date Aug 15, 2026 23:59
Department WE13 - Department of Geology
Degree Master’s degree, preferably in geology, physics, bio-engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a related discipline.
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy type Research staff
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.
YOUR TASKS
Join an exciting interdisciplinary PhD project at the frontier of Earth science, physics, and bio-science!
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms embedded in a slimy polymer-based material which is secreted to protect against mechanical and chemical stresses. A sizeable part of the biomass on Earth is present in biofilms in and on porous Earth materials (rocks and sediments). Biofilms in these materials interact with groundwater, air and other fluids flowing through the pores. They therefore affect soil health, groundwater flow, spreading and remediation of pollutants, weathering of (building) stone, and fouling of underground natural gas or hydrogen stockpiles.
Despite recent research showing that biofilm behaviour in porous materials is tightly coupled to the fluid flow in which they grow, the physical mechanisms remain poorly understood. Biofilms form a living composite with their host rock, where pore architecture and fluid flow continuously alter one another. Currently, resolving these coupled physical dynamics is fundamentally limited by two factors: the extreme opacity of 3D geo-materials and the inherent structural variability of living microbial communities.
As a PhD researcher in Ghent University's Department of Geology, you will work towards obtaining a PhD degree on this topic at Ghent University. You will bypass traditional experimental limitations by developing innovative platforms for tuneable, artificial biofilms within 2D and 3D porous media. By combining cutting-edge optical and X-ray imaging techniques with systematic variation of material and flow conditions, your experimental work will map out the hydromechanical behaviour of biofilms and establish a comprehensive physical framework describing their evolution.
Your work will provide fundamental insights into how biofilms interact with their environment and pave the way for more reliable predictions of microbial activity and flow properties in porous rock structures (either in the subsurface or in stone buildings and monuments). These advances are essential for tackling major challenges in energy, water resources, and environmental sustainability.
If you are passionate about tackling complex, real-world problems using a blend of experimental innovation and fundamental science, this PhD position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact. You will do this as a member of the PProGRess research team (www.pprogress.ugent.be), supervised by prof. Tom Bultreys and prof. Veerle Cnudde.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for a motivated candidate with a Master’s degree, preferably in geology, physics, bio-engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a related discipline. Candidates with an equivalent background or relevant experience are also encouraged to apply.
You have a passion for science, with an interest in experimental research, and are motivated to work in a laboratory environment. Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered an asset, but is not required in all domains: wet lab work with hydrogels or complex fluids, advanced optical or X-ray imaging methods such as micro-CT, microfluidics, or rheometry.
You have, or are willing to develop, a basic understanding of fluid mechanics, particularly in relation to fluid flow in porous media. You are interested in soft matter physics and rheology, including the mechanical and deformational behaviour of Earth materials, complex fluids, hydrogels, or biological materials.
You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research environment, are open to learning new methods, and communicate clearly with colleagues from different scientific backgrounds.
We value diverse perspectives and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all genders and backgrounds, including candidates who may not meet every listed criterion but are motivated to develop the required expertise.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
- Your contract will start on 01/10/2026 at the earliest.
- The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. 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.
INTERESTED?
Apply online via Google Forms: https://forms.gle/CiAPE6fNkhTBhZJRA
Applications via email will not be accepted.
ATTENTION: applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until suitable candidates are found, so please do not delay your application. Applications will close on 15th August 2026 at the latest.
For more information, please contact Prof. Tom Bultreys ([email protected]) and Prof. Veerle Cnudde ([email protected]) for further information.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
