Postdoctoral Position in Veterinary Sciences
University of Antwerp
Belgium

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 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 Toxicological Centre of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of analytical toxicology and wastewater-based epidemiology

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of analytical toxicology and wastewater-based epidemiology. The project aims to provide unprecedented insights into the behavior of xenobiotics in influent wastewater, focusing on the distribution between the liquid and solid phase of influent wastewater. To achieve this, innovative analytical workflows will be developed to quantify three model chemicals (THC-COOH, fluoxetine, methadone) and modeling experiments will assess interfacial equilibrium dynamics and partitioning of these compounds between the liquid and solid phase of influent wastewater under different conditions. The knowledge of these modelling experiments will be transferred to a real-life scenario to determine the relevance of distribution of xenobiotics from a wastewater-based epidemiology perspective. Therefore, this project will fill existing knowledge gaps in wastewater-based epidemiology to allow more accurate and reliable spatio-temporal assessment of chemical exposure at the population-scale.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Toxicological Centre (supervision of master students,…).

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Bioscience Engineering or equivalent or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are motivated to engage in science communication activities to actively promote the research findings to a broad audience

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years.
• The planned start date is 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including <1^st April 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
• a motivation letter that specifically mentions your motivation towards this project and the scientific field
• your academic CV,
• a one-pager on how you would perform the research as explained in this vacancy.
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) 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 dr. Alexander van Nuijs (alexander.vannuijs@uantwerpen.be) of Dr. Tim Boogaerts (tim.boogaerts@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.