Ghent University

Ghent University

Ghent University is a top 100 university founded in 1817. Our credo is ‘Dare to Think’: we are a haven for courageous thinkers.
Help build the future at Ghent University
Want to contribute to pioneering research and top-level education? Come work at Ghent University, together with 15,000 colleagues. We attract some of the brightest minds in the world – join us and help shape a brighter future.

With one of the most progressive career models for academics in the world, Ghent University evaluates its scholars not only by the length of their publication list but also by the impact they pursue, what they achieve and how they collaborate. High-risk and interdisciplinary research at our 11 faculties are key. UGent’ers make science better and through that science, they also make the world better. Boldness, curiosity, experimentation, change of perspective, responsibility, daring to fail and the awareness of not knowing are more important than our (otherwise excellent…) position in the rankings.

From the bustling city of Ghent, Ghent University looks the whole world straight in the eye. Various disciplines such as biotechnology, aquaculture, microelectronics, history and veterinary medicine are internationally renowned. Our university is constantly expanding its horizons, by collaborating with the best universities in Belgium and abroad. We’re proud to say we are the first European university in South Korea, with Ghent University Global Campus.
Top research environment
Since its founding over 200 years ago, Ghent university has established a reputation for excellent science, from fundamental and high-risk science to applied research. We have an internationally renowned expertise in life sciences, medicine, materials and agricultural science, veterinary medicine, psychology, history and many more, complemented by a strong focus on multidisciplinary collaboration.

Read more on our research strategy
 
HR policy prioritising career prospects and fair working conditions
As a committed and caring employer, Ghent University stands for a talent and people oriented HR policy. We focus on successfully building careers and creating stimulating career opportunities.

Your development is an essential part of our mission. We have a comprehensive training offer for all employees, which we update continuously.

Read more on career path and evaluation policy for Professorial Staff (ZAP) or postdoc talent management.

For doctoral researchers, we have a Doctoral School which they can lean on every step of the way.
 
We’ll help you feel right at home
At Ghent University we’ll not only help you build a career, but also a life in this beautiful city. We provide support for registration and immigration duties, for selecting the right childcare and international schools and for building a career in Belgium for your spouse or partner.

Find out more about support
 
Ghent: offbeat city in the heart of Europe
Discover Ghent: a human-scale city with the heartbeat of a metropolis, a city of trailblazers and free spirits and an authentic place with a rich past and an exciting future.

Ghent is a vibrant city in the centre of Europe. Combining historical beauty with culture, creativity and an excellent restaurant and nightlife, Ghent is called Europe’s best kept secret by Lonely Planet and ranked as the third most authentic destination in the world according to National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

Ghent is Ghent University and vice versa: the city and the university are complementary partners. Ghent University regularly meets the city council for informative discussions between city, university and students, about hot topics such as environmental and waste disposal policies.

Discover Ghent in images
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Dare to Think
‘Dare to Think’ is the credo of Ghent University (in Dutch: ‘Durf Denken’). Critical and independent brains study, do research and work at Ghent University.

Everything starts with thought. This is something we’ve been saying for years. But thinking is only half the job. Now more than ever, our thinking needs daring. Ghent University, as a haven for courageous thinkers, prompts everyone to take the step from thinking to daring and doing. We are therefore launching a plea for people to be more daring. Driven by courage. Hope. Idealism. And a healthy dose of contrariness.

We primarily want to use this symbolic action to invite our students, staff and alumni to turn critical thinking into critical action. But we also want to encourage everyone to go beyond that: we want them to show a healthy dose of courage in order to help society grow. We bring this message to the streets, our campuses and social media.

Read more on www.tothinkistodare.be

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Is a stool transplant a potential treatment for Parkinson’s?

A recent study into Parkinson’s disease has shown that a stool transplant may constitute a new and valuable treatment of the disease. “It offers a potentially safe, effective and cost-efficient way of alleviating the symptoms and improving the quality of life of millions. A ‘bacterial pill’ might replace the stool transplant in the future. But more research is needed.”

Read more

 
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International top recognition for researcher who is combating ‘hidden’ hunger

From now on, Professor Dominique Van Der Straeten can call herself a fellow of the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This international recognition honours researchers who are making an invaluable contribution to science and its application. In the case of professor Van Der Straeten, it recognises her research, which aims to reduce ‘hidden’ hunger and the consequences of climate change.

Read more

 
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What makes this future Einstein telescope so unique?

Europe wants to build a telescope to look back at the origins of the universe. The mile-long structure might come to Belgium. Archisman Ghosh of Ghent University’s Faculty of Sciences is eagerly looking forward to it.

Read more

 
HR Excellence in Research Award for Ghent University

Ghent University is proud to have been granted the ‘HR Excellence in Research Award’, presented by the European Commission. The commission thus recognises institutions that align their human resources policy with the 40 principles of the ‘Charter & Code’ and that develop an appropriate HR strategy and action plan. At Ghent University, we actively support researchers in developing their careers. We give them every opportunity to successfully generate, transfer and share knowledge and technological development.

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