Postdoctoral fellow

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, 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 in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

For the (faculty/department/research group) we are looking for a m/f/x

Postdoctoral fellow

YOUR JOB

In the frame of a EU-Horizon project the UGent Department of Electromechanics, Systems and Metals Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture is looking for a full-time (100%) postdoctoral researcher in the field of metallurgy and metal manufacturing. The postdoc will function as a member of the MOWSES * consortium that envisages to investigate the application potential of welded scrap-based steel plates, specifically for medium to ultra-high strength applications required in industries such as energy and construction. In this capacity the postdoc is primarily in charge of microstructural investigations by optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy with a particular emphasis on characterization by Electron BackScatter Diffraction.  Also the use of in-situ mechanical testing in conjunction with in-situ annealing in the SEM vacuum chamber will be employed in this project.

A central theme in the project is the role of various types of residual elements (aka tramp elements) on the microstructure and ensuing mechanical or applicational properties of the finished products (such as e.g. welding characteristics). In collaboration with partners that carry out advanced thermodynamic and kinetic simulations, the postdoc will be responsible to evaluate the microstructural implications of this modelling work and give feedback to the industrial partners on how to optimise the steel processing parameters in order to obtain optimum operational functionality given the constraints and limitations of the chemical composition.

*https://prozesswaerme.net/think-steel/mowses-project-launches-to-revolutionize-green-steel-for-europes-sustainable-future/

• You hold a doctoral degree or a diploma or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
• In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit.
• Exceptional scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
• The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if:
  • the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher
  • the researcher is funded by the Marie- Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
  • Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
• You hold a PhD in material science/metallurgy (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work).
• You have experience on mechanical and microstructural characterization of metallic alloys and structure-properties relations. Experience with Electron Backscatter Diffraction and crystallographic aspects of metal science is highly recommendable.
• You have a basic understanding steel processing technology, most relevant with respect to thermomechanical processing of flat sheet products
• Your research qualities are in line with the department, faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can speak and write fluently in English and are willing to learn Dutch (in case Dutch is not one of your working languages).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full time position as a postdoctoral fellow, with a minimum period of 3 months, maximum 36 months in total which can be extended twice taking into account the maximum period of 36 months.
• In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/05/2025 at the earliest.
• The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

Please, send your CV and Statemen-of-Purpose to Prof. Leo Kestens (Leo.Kestens@ugent.be ).
Please, mention in your subject header: "Application Postdoc MOWSES project".