Doctoral scholarship holder bioscience engineering

Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences

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Technology » Biotechnology

Organisation/Company University of Antwerp Research Field Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences Biological sciences » Other Chemistry » Biochemistry Engineering » Other Medical sciences » Other Technology » Biotechnology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 15 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Let’s shape the future - 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.

The Department of Bioscience Engineering in the Faculty of Science is looking for a full-time (100%)

doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Bioscience Engineering - Applied Microbiology, Nutrition, and Biotechnology

Position

• You will actively work on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of Bioscience Engineering: more specifically in the fields of Applied Microbiology, Nutrition, and Biotechnology. The PhD student will join a newly funded project multi-partner consortium involving UAntwerpen, Flanders Food, UGent, KU Leuven and VUB. The project consortium investigates how probiotics, prebiotics and other biotics can support healthy ageing by improving markers of metabolic and immune resilience in adults at increased risk of metabolic syndrome. The PhD project includes mechanistic studies of the targeted biotics, development of biotic interventions in collaboration with industry partners, and the preparation, execution and follow-up of a clinical dietary intervention trial. Responsibilities also include participant monitoring and interaction, sample processing, and the analysis of metabolic and microbiome-related outcomes.
  • You will conduct the research efficiently and to an appropriate standard, possibly partially abroad, and compete for funding for general or specific costs if necessary.
  • You play a key role in ensuring the quality, accuracy, and integrity of study data.
  • You will report progress to your supervisor(s) and committees and present your research at scientific conferences.
  • You will defend your thesis publicly and aim for publication in the scientific press.
• You will make a supporting, scientific contribution to existing research projects and lines of research within and beyond your own doctoral research, as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
• In addition to project-based research, you will also be responsible for a limited range of support tasks related to teaching and/or research management within the Lab of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.
• You will contribute to funding acquisition initiatives of the host labs if needed. Funding for the 4 years PhD is covered, but the student can also be asked to help with additional funding applications if needed for the overall objectives of the project. This will always be in consultation with your supervisor(s).
• You will undertake the necessary administration for a smooth PhD process.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Bioscience Engineering, (Bio)medical Sciences, Biotechnology, Biology or a closely related field.
• You can provide evidence of excellent study results and motivation
• You have a strong interest in microbiology, microbiomes, probiotics and other biotics, nutrition, clinical trials, metabolism, molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or human health.
• You have experience with microbiology and molecular biology. Experience with immunology is recommended. Experience with patient-oriented research and/or involvement in clinical or food intervention studies is also considered an asset. Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is desirable or should be obtained at the start of the grant.
• You have excellent collaborative and communication skills and have a good knowledge of Dutch and English, both oral and written, because this project requires communication with stakeholders and clinical trial participants.
• Strong attention to de