Two principal research fellows chemical engineering

 Department: Faculty of Applied Engineering

Regime Full-time

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Faculty of Applied Engineering has the following full-time vacancy: two principal research fellows in the field of chemical engineering.

As an experienced researcher, you will join the ELCAT research group, which counts about 30 employees. ELCAT's main research focus is on electrochemistry. The core research activities are related to the development of state-of-the-art electrochemical reactors and catalysts, with a view towards large-scale industrial development in the field of industrial electrification, in a green and sustainable way to ultimately replace the traditional chemical processes. The research is largely covered by 5 key activities: (1) electrochemical CO2 conversion; (2) green hydrogen production; (3) redox-flow batteries; (4) power-to-chemicals and; (5) electrochemical reactor engineering.

Within the research group, your main task will be to support the daily operations and management of the research group. Essentially, you will be responsible for the daily supervision of the PhD students, for outlining the lines of research and for the further growth of the group at an (inter)national level.

Position

As a principal research fellow, you will be part of the academic assistant staff (Dutch: Assisterend Academisch Personeel, AAP). You will spend at least 50% of your working time on academic research. In addition, you will actively contribute to education and service activities.

Research

• You will carry out high-quality academic research in the following research domains: electrocatalysis, electrosynthesis and electrochemical reactor design.
• You will develop new research projects according to the strategic plan of the research group ELCAT and you compete for externally funded research grants.
• You will report on the results of your research and produce academic publications.
• You will assist in the coordination of ongoing research projects and the activities of the research group.
• You will contribute to attracting national and international research funding.
• You will supervise PhD students during their research and in the preparation of publications and their PhD theses.

Education

• You will provide support with teaching and also teach high-quality academic classes yourself. You will teach and assist in, among others, Electrochemical Engineering; Pumps, Compressors and Refrigerators and optionally Mass and Energy Balances.
• You will contribute to the development of teaching and study materials, teaching methods, evaluations, etc.
• You will supervise students and their Bachelor and Master dissertations.
• Your teaching role will evolve along with the study programmes.

Services

• You will play an active role in the academic and societal service provision of the department of chemistry and biochemistry, research group ELCAT and the Chemical Engineering department.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in (Bioscience) Engineering, Applied Engineering or equivalent or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies. You have relevant research experience in the field of electrocatalysis and/or electrochemical reactors. 
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• If you do not speak Dutch, the administrative language of the university, you should be willing to obtain a CEFR B2 level of proficiency in Dutch. As soon as you take on teaching duties as a programme component coordinator, you should be able to demonstrate a CEFR C1 level of proficiency in the language of instruction. The University of Antwerp supports international staff members through an integration trajectory and offers tailor-made language coaching in compliance with Flanders’ statutory language regulations.
• You have a good oral and written knowledge of English.
• You are able to carry out your work and achieve your objectives with a high degree of independence.
• You can present excellent study and research results.
• You are motivated to work actively on your further professional development. In this, you can make use of a wide range of training courses and professionalisation opportunities.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

• We offer an appointment as a principal research fellow for a period of three years. Following a positive evaluation, the appointment can be renewed once.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for a principal research fellow (academic assistant staff, AAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.                                                                                                                                                          
• The planned start date is 1 February 2023 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Click here to find out more about working at the University of Antwerp and the related benefits.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 8 September 2022  (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter, your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.  
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact professor Tom Breugelmans (elcat@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.

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