Last Application Date: August 15, 2026, 23:59
Department: WE13 – Department of Geology
Degree Required: 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 and 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 across a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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 that is secreted to protect against mechanical and chemical stresses. A sizeable part of Earth's biomass exists in biofilms within and on porous Earth materials such as rocks and sediments.

These biofilms interact with:

• Groundwater
• Air
• Other fluids flowing through porous materials

As a result, they influence:

• Soil health
• Groundwater flow
• Pollutant transport and remediation
• Weathering of building stone
• Fouling of underground natural gas or hydrogen storage

Although recent research has shown that biofilm behaviour in porous materials is closely linked to fluid flow, the underlying physical mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Biofilms form a living composite with their host rock, where pore architecture and fluid flow continuously influence one another. Understanding these coupled physical dynamics is currently limited by:

• The extreme opacity of three-dimensional geo-materials
• The structural variability of living microbial communities

As a PhD researcher in the Department of Geology at Ghent University, you will work toward a PhD degree by developing innovative experimental platforms for tunable artificial biofilms within both 2D and 3D porous media.

The project combines:

• Advanced optical imaging
• X-ray imaging techniques
• Systematic variation of material properties
• Controlled fluid flow experiments

The research aims to:

• Map the hydromechanical behaviour of biofilms
• Develop a comprehensive physical framework describing biofilm evolution

The results will provide fundamental insights into biofilm-environment interactions and improve predictions of:

• Microbial activity
• Flow behaviour in porous rocks
• Subsurface systems
• Stone buildings and monuments

These advances are essential for addressing major challenges in:

• Energy
• Water resources
• Environmental sustainability

The successful candidate will join the PProGRess Research Team (www.pprogress.ugent.be) under the supervision of:

• Prof. Tom Bultreys
• Prof. Veerle Cnudde

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should have:

• A Master’s degree, preferably in:
  • Geology
  • Physics
  • Bio-engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • A related discipline

Candidates with an equivalent background or relevant experience are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A passion for scientific research
• Interest in experimental laboratory research

Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered an advantage, although expertise in every area is not required:

• Wet laboratory work with hydrogels or complex fluids
• Advanced optical imaging
• X-ray imaging methods such as micro-CT
• Microfluidics
• Rheometry

Applicants should have, or be willing to develop:

• A basic understanding of fluid mechanics
• Knowledge of fluid flow in porous media

An interest in the following areas is also desirable:

• Soft matter physics
• Rheology
• Mechanical behaviour of Earth materials
• Complex fluids
• Hydrogels
• Biological materials

The successful candidate should:

• Enjoy interdisciplinary research
• Be eager to learn new experimental methods
• Communicate effectively with colleagues from different scientific backgrounds

Ghent University values diverse perspectives and strongly encourages applications from candidates of all genders and backgrounds, including those who may not meet every listed criterion but are motivated to develop the required expertise.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Ghent University offers:

• A full-time doctoral fellow position.
• An initial appointment of 12 months, extendable after a positive evaluation to a maximum of 48 months.
• An earliest possible starting date of 01/10/2026.

The fellowship includes:

• A fellowship equal to 100% of the net salary of an AAP member with equivalent family circumstances.
• Fellowship amount determined by the Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority.
• A doctoral fellowship that is exempt from personal income tax when it meets the applicable regulations.

Additional benefits include:

• Extensive training and education opportunities
• 36 days of annual leave (for a full-time appointment)
• Annual bridge days
• Bicycle allowance
• Eco vouchers

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Deadline: August 15, 2026 (23:59)

Important: Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis until suitable candidates are found. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Applications must be submitted online via Google Forms:

https://forms.gle/uNiKiuG4GeyvupbA6

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted.

For further information, please contact:

Prof. Tom Bultreys
Email: Tom.Bultreys@ugent.be

Prof. Veerle Cnudde
Email: Veerle.Cnudde@ugent.be

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy.

Everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.