Let's shape the future at the University of Antwerp: Sustainable manure engineering
The SUSTAIN Research Group is hiring a full-time postdoctoral researcher for life cycle assessment (LCA) of resource recovery technologies and other solutions for the sustainable management of manure nutrients in livestock husbandry.
The University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) is a dynamic and forward-thinking university in the heart of Europe. It ranks 5th in the "Times Higher Education Millennials 2020" and 20th in the "QS Top 50 Under ", and is a founding member of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) alliance. We offer innovative academic education to more than students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the region's largest, most international and most innovative employers. With almost 7000 employees from 130+ nationalities, 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 Bioscience Engineering Department was established in 2006 within the Faculty of Science, recognising strong societal demand for experts in applied life sciences, such as cleantech and environmental technology at the interface of food, water, and nutrients. In 2015, prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck launched Biobased Cleantech and Environmental Analysis Research (BioCLEAR), a proud member of the Biobased Sustainability Engineering (SUSTAIN) Research Group. The BioCLEAR team is a core member of the Enviromics valorization consortium, the BlueApp innovation hub for sustainable chemistry and materials, the CAPTURE platform for resource recovery and circular economy, and the MELiSSA circular life support system programme of the European Space Agency (ESA).
BioCLEAR's mission is to develop clean solutions for environmental and industrial biotechnology, and to assess the environmental sustainability of novel treatment and production pipelines. Our novel solutions are based on microbial cleantech and environmental systems analysis. Key focus areas are sustainable water treatment, nutrient management, and food production. The team has, for instance, expertise in nutrient recovery from wastewater and manure, nitrogen and COD removal from wastewater, production of single-cell protein and other value-added microbial products for feed and food, based on nitrification, anammox, high-rate activated sludge, purple bacteria, microalgae,…
The advertised position is in the environmental systems analysis and engineering cluster, led by prof. Marc Spiller, specialised in: (i) sustainability assessment of novel technologies in the agri-food chain and urban water cycle, (ii) method development for life cycle assessment (LCA), and (iii) development and application of material flow analysis (MFA) in relation to nitrogen, phosphorus, protein, and water. The work in this team is interdisciplinary, with strong links to programming and computation, as well as to economics and other social sciences.
Position
• You will conduct quantitative environmental sustainability assessments of novel manure management solutions, with a primary focus on treatment and processing, while also considering collection, storage, logistics, and land application. Particularly resource recovery technologies will be explored. The initial focus will be on pig manure, with the potential to expand to cattle and poultry manure. The work will mainly make use of life cycle assessment (LCA) and will require skills in carrying out mass/energy balances, and potentially material flow analysis (MFA). Costing may be included in the assessment. The focus may extend beyond technologies to include method development at the MFA/LCA interface. This may include identifying marginal suppliers to support modelling in consequential LCAs.
• You will work towards the publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts related to your research, and you will prepare reports related to the progress of your research activities.
• You will actively participate in national and international conferences, project meetings, workshops, etc.
• You carry out a limited number of research support tasks (including proposal writing).
Profile
• You hold a PhD degree in sustainability engineering, environmental systems analysis, industrial ecology, systems engineering, environmental engineering or technology, environmental science(s), agronomy, agricultural engineering or technology, bioscience engineering, (bio)chemical engineering, or a closely related science or engineering field.
• You have demonstrable experience in carrying out life cycle assessments using relevant software (e.g. SimaPro, OpenLCA, Activity Browser), and have co-authored papers in which quantitative sustainability assessments were conducted. Demonstrable programming and coding experience is a plus, particularly with Brightway 2 and Python.
• A solid working knowledge of process technology and emissions from liquid waste streams to air, soil, and water is required. Experience with material flow analysis is a plus. Familiarity with sustainable livestock husbandry and manure/nutrient management is a plus. Ideally, you have experience with resource recovery and other sustainable treatment approaches for manure or wastewater (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus recovery, water reuse).
• You are the first author of papers published in journals indexed by Web of Science.
• You have outstanding oral and written communication skills in English and communicate clearly and honestly.
• You have excellent interpersonal skills that enable you to collaborate constructively and respectfully with scientific team members and BSc/MSc students.
• You manage your time well and meet objectives efficiently within set deadlines.
• You are a creative, out-of-the-box thinker.
• You are strong in working proactively and independently, with an outcome-focused, problem-solving mentality.
• Your research philosophy, ethics and integrity align with the university's research policy.
What we offer
• A postdoctoral scholarship for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal after a positive evaluation, until the end of 2028 or later, depending on the availability of research funding.
• The planned start date is April 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible.
• As a postdoctoral scholarship holder, your net monthly scholarship will be around 3000 EUR.
• 40 days of annual leave and one week of collective closure between Christmas and New Year.
• You will receive a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will primarily work at the Groenenborgercampus in a safe, green and flexible working environment. SUSTAIN offers a dynamic, respectful and diverse setting that fosters creativity, self-realisation, and independent thinking.
• The opportunity to build a broad national and international network of industrial and scientific partners, and to develop new skills through professional training, courses and workshops.
• The possibility to tutor and co-supervise BSc, MSc and PhD students working on your research topic, and to engage with fellow researchers on joint research and publications.
• The chance to make a difference and contribute to addressing urgent societal challenges.
• Proximity to the city of Antwerp, a vibrant historical city on a human scale in the well-connected heart of Europe, renowned for its rich cultural and social life, and easy access to green spaces and nature.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.
Want to apply?
• You can apply for this job through the University of Antwerp's online job application platform until 26 January 2026 (by midnight Antwerp time). Go to this link: Click on 'apply for job', complete the online application form, and do not forget to include the compulsory letter of motivation. Applications via e-mail will not be considered, and applicants should not send e-mails solely to confirm that an online application has been submitted.
• The selection committee reviews all applications only after the submission deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. Based on your written application, the committee will invite you for a first interview if you are in the top 5-7.
• The first interview is scheduled for the morning of 4 February 2026 (local Antwerp time) and will be relatively brief. Based on this, the committee will invite the top 2-3 candidates to a second interview on the morning of 11February 2026 (local time), with time for in-depth discussions. In-person attendance is preferred, especially for the second interview. The selection committee can only meet at these times, so please mark both dates in your calendar if you apply for this position.
Questions?
· If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the Frequently Asked Questions or send an email to
· If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact prof. Marc Spiller ) and prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck ).
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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