PhD candidate in Environmental Biotechnology – Ghent University Global Campus, South Korea

1. 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 (e.g. ARWU ranking, US News), and in the top 100 for the subjects Biotechnology and Environmental Science (2023 QS subject ranking #46 in global). Ghent University Global Campus is an equal opportunities employer.

Centre for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) is one of the five existing research centers of GUGC. It was established in 2015 with the aim to deliver scientific outcomes that will have a real impact on consolidation of environmental issues, themes, and topics, and to do this under one umbrella to highlight their interconnectedness and interdisciplinary nature. CEER targets at the development of microbiological and nano-scale science and technology for the next generation of advanced functional materials and process technologies which enable solutions for various environmental and energy problems. In the 8 years’ development, CEER was well-equipped with state-of-art instruments for environmental and material science research, published >200 papers and received national and international funding support (e.g. NRF, KEITI, NERI, BOF, FWO, Horizon2020, etc.), and built strong collaborations with Korea national and international top universities.

Laboratory of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering (LESE) led by Dr Di Wu (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0w7e0VsAAAAJ&hl=en; https://research.ugent.be/web/person/di-wu-0/en) was recently established in GUGC (from 2021), with a focus on water-energy research and resource recovery process technology. In order to expand its research capacity, LESE is planning to recruit 1~2 new academic team member(s) in either research assistant (PhD study) or research associate (Postdoc level) position(s) for the following research directions – i) Deep-learning for smart environmental biotechnology (water and solid waste biological treatment processes; microbial consortia analysis (e.g.multiple-omics)), ii) synthetic biology for water and health risk assessment (Luminence-/Electronic-based biosensor), iii) green chemistry for photo-/bio-catalytic resource recovery (e.g. footwaste/waste agriculture/plastics upcycling, CO2 reduction). According to the research project needs, the candidate might be required to conduct collaborative research in GUGC (South Korea), Ghent University home campus (Belgium), and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (for the collaborative research project, as described in the website of https://wwrf.hkust.edu.hk/).

2. Job Summary
Full-Time Research Associate or Research Assistant (PhD Candidate) – Ghent University Global Campus
Department: Centre for Environmental and Energy Research
Degree: Master in Chemistry and/or Chemical Engineering
Contract: 1-year fixed-term contract, renewable upon evaluation (Max. 2 years for Research Associate; Max. 4 years for Research Assistant (PhD candidate)
Occupancy rate: 100%
Vacancy Type: Assistant Academic Staff (AAP)
Last application date: 1 August 2023 (Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately as the position will be filled upon finding the right candidate)
Starting date: 1 September 2023 (negotiable)
Scientific Supervisor: Prof. dr. ir. Di Wu (di.wu@ghent.ac.kr)

3. Job Position
Ghent University Global Campus, South Korea, has a vacancy for a Research Associate (Postdoc), Research Assistant (PhD Candidate) in the Center of Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) at Ghent University Global Campus, starting from 1 Sep 2023 (open to negotiation). The request(s) and standard(s) for the PhD in GUGC is equivalent to Ghent University’s home campus (the phd certificate will be awarded by the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium). It concerns a 1-year full-time position for a renewable period of a maximum of 4 years (for PhD/RA) or 2 years (for a research associate).

The candidate will mainly work at the Center of Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) of the Ghent University Global Campus in Korea. However, s/he will also work at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (for joint research).

4. Job Qualification (Profile of the Candidate)
– Hold, or expect to hold, by 30 Aug. 2023, a Master’s degree in one of the following disciplines: Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
– Have solid and relevant lab experimental experiences in one of the aforementioned research areas; have publication(s) in environmental science and technologies is a plus.
– Have an excellent command of English (e.g. a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT test or 6.5 IELTS test), and good academic writing and presentation skills – GUGC’s working medium is English, working fluency is a must.
– At least 3 years of working experience for obtaining an entry visa (for a Research Assistant/Ph.D. candidate) to South Korea, which is not required for Master student with Korean nationals or a candidate obtained the Master degree in South Korea; no limitation for PhD degree holder from oversea.
– Team spirit and inquisitive, self-motive attitude as well as independent learning/research ability are essential; can take leadership among team members.

5. Job Description
– To conduct research in the area of Environmental Engineering Science related Deep Learning, Microbiome/Omics, Green Chemistry, or Synthetic Biology reseaches.
– The detailed working plan will be explored upon the background and interests of the individual candidate (e.g. supporting national/international fellowship application, pursuing phd study, transferring technology for application and commercialization).
– To finalize the doctoral thesis (For PhD) within the given period with good publications.
– To assist his/her supervisors with tasks in ongoing and future R&D projects and research-led educations (e.g. Master/Bachelor/Highschol student(s) teaching activities).

6. Selection Criteria
– Scientific background and knowledge
– Working experiences

7. Application Documents
– Motivation letter (1-page)
– Full resume (CV), including at least 2 references’ contacts
– Copy of the certificates and transcripts for education
– Transcripts (overview of study results and ranking)
– Others (subjected to the supervisor’s requirement in the later stage)

The documents shall be merged into a single PDF file (<10MB) and sent to di.wu@ghent.ac.kr (Subject line: CEER_Application_Surname). Please kindly noted only the selected candidate(s) will be contacted for the next step.

8. 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.
We reserve the right to hold applications on file for potential future job openings.
For submission of your file and any inquiries, please contact us via e-mail: di.wu@ghent.ac.kr

9. Selection Process
CV Screening -> Interview(s) (including oral evaluation and written evaluation) -> Internal committee -> Approval -> Acceptance Notice to the candidate selected.

10. Compensation & Benefits for the candidate selected.
– Basic Term of the Contract: 1 year-contract term (renewable upon committee’s evaluation, Max. 2 years for Research Associate, Max. 4 years for Research Assistant/PhD candidate) Salary. Starts from Gross Annual Salary 26,500,000 KRW – 48,656,283 KRW (will be evaluated based on the research track record)
– Housing unit or Housing Allowance: A single unit of Dormitory operated by Incheon Global Campus (IGC) is provided for foreigners. If the selected candidate is a permanent resident holder or has a Korean nationality, the housing unit shall not be provided by IGC, but the Housing Allowance of 725,000 KRW monthly.
– 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