Position Summary

• Department: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Institution: University of Antwerp

• Employment Type: Full-time

• Appointment Duration: 18 months (with possibility of extension following positive evaluation)

• Planned Start Date: 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

• Location: Toxicological Centre (TC), University of Antwerp

About the University of Antwerp

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 6,000 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.

About the Project

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences is looking for a full-time postdoctoral researcher to implement analytical platforms for metabolomics/lipidomics in human matrices with the broader aim of applying these findings in exposome studies.

The project will be executed at the Toxicological Centre (TC), University of Antwerp, which has extensive analytical expertise and instrumental capabilities related to human exposure assessment and the human exposome.

The TC has developed in-house non-targeted metabolomics and lipidomics analytical platforms based on:

• Liquid Chromatography–Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS)

• Gas Chromatography–Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS)

These platforms have been applied to various biological matrices, including:

• Cell extracts

• Human tissues

• Animal tissues

The project aims to:

• Refine and tailor these platforms for human biological fluids such as blood and urine.

• Develop and validate targeted metabolomics and lipidomics methods.

• Discover innovative biomarkers with predictive value for clinical conditions.

• Implement metabolomics/lipidomics approaches for exposome and clinical research applications.

Expected Outcomes

• Establish targeted metabolomics platforms for human biological fluids.

• Establish non-targeted metabolomics and lipidomics platforms for human biological fluids.

• Exploit their diagnostic power in clinical and exposomics applications.

• Detect molecular fingerprints through targeted and untargeted metabolomics combined with big-data mining approaches.

Position Responsibilities

Analytical Method Development

• Develop and optimize sample preparation procedures for biological matrices (e.g. blood and urine) to ensure broad metabolome coverage.

• Tailor existing non-targeted metabolomics and lipidomics platforms based on LC-QTOF-MS and GC-QTOF-MS for human biological fluids.

• Develop and validate targeted metabolomics and lipidomics methods using LC-MS/MS and/or GC-MS/MS.

• Investigate the value of additional separation dimensions such as:

  • Two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC)

  • Ion mobility

Data Processing and Quality Assurance

• Refine current data processing and metabolite annotation workflows using vendor and open-access software tools.

• Adapt workflows to the specific needs of the human metabolome and lipidome.

• Refine and implement QA/QC measures for:

  • Data acquisition

  • Data analysis workflows

  • Targeted approaches

  • Non-targeted approaches

Research and Scientific Development

• Stay informed about developments in analytical chemistry and bioinformatics and integrate them into research activities.

• Conduct research and publish results in scientific journals.

• Disseminate findings through scientific outputs and presentations.

• Present research at international conferences and workshops.

Academic and Professional Service

• Participate in academic service activities.

• Represent the research group internally and externally.

• Assist in coordinating service projects.

• Build and maintain international scientific collaborations.

Funding Activities

• Apply for external funding opportunities, including:

  • Marie Curie EU Programs

  • Flanders Foundation Research (FWO)

• Support principal investigators in obtaining external funding in metabolomics and lipidomics research.

Student Supervision

• Supervise and evaluate Master’s students.

• Supervise and evaluate PhD students.

• Support successful completion and defence of student theses.

Profile

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in:

  • Analytical Chemistry

  • Biomedical Sciences

  • Environmental Sciences

  • Pharmaceutical Sciences

  • Or a related discipline

Research Experience

• Excellent publication record in recognized metabolomics/lipidomics journals.

• Experience obtaining external research funding.

• Experience with:

  • LC-HRMS and/or GC-HRMS instrumentation

  • Biological sample preparation for metabolomics and lipidomics

  • Biofluids

  • Tissues

  • Cells

Bioinformatics Skills

• Experience processing HRMS data.

• Experience conducting statistical analyses.

• Experience in biomarker discovery workflows.

Additional Requirements

• Research qualities consistent with faculty and university research policies.

• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

• Availability for full-time employment.

• Strong planning, communication and organizational skills.

• Commitment to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary international teams.

• Ability to manage competing demands and meet deadlines.

What We Offer

Appointment

• Full-time postdoctoral scholarship holder position.

• Initial appointment for 18 months.

• Possibility of extension following positive evaluation.

Research Environment

• International, collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.

• Dynamic and professional research team.

• Excellent working atmosphere.

• Extensive state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure.

Professional Development

• Opportunities to present research at international conferences.

• Opportunities to participate in workshops.

• Strong scientific development opportunities.

Financial and Additional Benefits

• Monthly scholarship according to Contract Research Staff (BAP) scholarship scales.

• Ecocheques.

• Internet connectivity allowance.

• Bicycle allowance.

• Full reimbursement of public transportation costs for commuting.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the University of Antwerp online job application platform.

Application Deadline

17 August 2026 (midnight Brussels time)

Required Documents

• Motivation Letter

• Academic CV

• One to Two Letters of Recommendation

Selection Procedure

• Applications will be reviewed as soon as possible after the deadline.

• Candidates will be informed once a decision has been made.

• Eligible candidates will be contacted regarding further steps in the selection process.

Contact Information

Questions About the Online Application Process

Email: jobs@uantwerpen.be

Questions About the Position

Prof. Dr. Adrian Covaci
Email: adrian.covaci@uantwerpen.be

Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy.

The university is a sustainable and family-friendly organisation that invests in employee growth and development.

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

• Age

Applications from people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics are strongly encouraged.

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