Professor in Sustainable Use of the Deep Subsurface

• Apply until 28/01/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)
• Discipline: Sustainable Use of the Deep Subsurface
• 100% Assistant professor tenure track
• Reference number: 202512/WE/ZAP/007

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world-class, open, pluralistic and socially engaged university. Our credo is 'Dare to Think': we are a haven for courageous thinkers.

With one of the most progressive career models for academics in the world, Ghent University evaluates its scholars not only by the length of their publication list but also by the impact they pursue, what they achieve and how they collaborate.

Are you a good 'fit' with our university? Discover here our vision on education and research.

ASSIGNMENT

The Department of Geology (WE13; ) conducts research on the origin, composition and functioning of the Earth, the emergence and evolution of life on our planet, and the sustainable use of geomaterials and geofluids in societal and economic applications. Within this broad scientific scope, the Department aims to increase emphasis on research into the general structure of the deep subsurface, the origin and occurrence of natural resources and raw materials in the deep subsurface, and how these can be utilized in a sustainable manner. The overarching objectives are: i) to consolidate and to innovate the fundamental scientific knowledge required for the sustainable management of the deep subsurface, ii) to enhance societal awareness of the importance of the subsurface, and iii) to provide a robust scientific foundation to inform policy decisions and support policymakers.

This research domain is closely aligned with existing areas of expertise within the Department, which include mineral resources, ore geology, geomaterials, geothermal energy, geophysics, geochronology, stratigraphy, marine geology, geohazards, hydrogeology, and underground storage of CO₂ and H₂ (see ). Nevertheless, next to these existing strengths, there currently is an identified need for critical expertise in structural geology and basin-scale geodynamics. Such expertise is essential to advance the understanding of the origin and occurrence of natural resources in the deep subsurface, to improve the prediction of their formation and evolution, through time and space, and to better support their sustainable use. With this position, the Department seeks to address this gap in structural geology and geodynamics in a manner that is fully complementary to its current research strengths.

The ideal candidate has a strong academic profile, with demonstrated postdoctoral experience in the above-described research domain. The Department seeks a candidate with a solid geological background (i.e. MSc and PhD in geology) who actively applies intrinsic geological methods. Consequently, the candidate is expected to be well versed in, amongst others, geological fieldwork.

The expectations regarding teaching, research, and institutional and societal engagement, as well as the positioning of this position within the expertise and strategic developments of the faculty and department, were outlined in a position profile document prior to the publication of this vacancy. This position profile document is publicly available via the following link:

Academic education

You lecture various course units in the discipline of structural geology, geodynamics, geological mapping, geology of Belgium and general geophysics.

Academic research

You conduct innovative and internationally recognized research in the field of applications of new concepts from, among others, geodynamics and structural geology to the study and sustainable use of the deep subsurface.

Institutional and societal engagement

Based on your expertise and experience, you will contribute to the university's operations and/or take on external assignments.

PROFILE

• You have a strong academic CV with international visibility in the requested field:

• You are a scientist with a strong geological background, who is keen to and able to lead a research group with a central focus on the development of innovative concepts in, among others, geodynamics and structural geology to the study of the deep subsurface.

• Your achievements in the field of research and education contribute to the development of the scientific domain (e.g. publications, presentations, or other academic output);
• You are capable to initiate and supervise educational and research projects and to acquire the necessary funding for this;

• You are didactically skilled to teach university students to develop academic competences;

• Mobility is recommended (e.g. education, research, economic, or societal).

• You work in a collaborative way and integrate smoothly into the department/faculty. You look for opportunities inside and outside the university and actively use your network to do so.

• You show leadership potential/have leadership experience. More information about leadership at Ghent University.
• If you don't know Dutch, you are willing to learn it. This will be assessed during the selection interview. When taking up a teaching assignment, you must master the language of instruction of the course. More information about the language requirements and appropriate language guidance at Ghent University.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

We offer you a temporary appointment as an assistant professor in a tenure track system for a term of five years. If positively evaluated by the University Board after these five years, the term of office will be transferred into a permanent appointment as an associate professor.

Should you already be a member of the professorial staff or hold an equal post at a university or research institution, you can immediately be appointed as an assistant professor, without prejudice to the possibility of a temporary appointment.

The recruitment is from 1 september 2026.

OUR OFFER

Ghent University has developed a new inspiring career model for professors. Academic freedom and academics' responsibility, talents and ambitions act as a natural drive to advance their careers, as part of teamwork.

Ghent University is specifically committed to guiding international professors in the process of coming to Ghent. At Ghent University, our view is as broad as possible, because internationalisation creates synergies within and outside the institution.

We offer you a wide range of employee benefits. The basic teacher training and courses in 'Dutch' and 'English' for foreign-speaking lecturers are just a few of our wide range of courses and training.

Candidates who are newly appointed at Ghent University with an appointment of at least 50% receive a Starting Grant of € 240,000 to contribute towards the personnel, operating and/or equipment costs. Furthermore, professors who meet the conditions may be eligible for Basic Research Funding.

DIVERSITY

Ghent University pursues an equal opportunities policy and values everyone's talent, regardless of gender, age, philosophy of life, skin color, sexual orientation, migration background or disability. We encourage everyone to apply.

Interruptions in research careers and/or atypical career paths (e.g. relevant experience outside the academic sector) will be taken into account when assessing the application.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The selection committee will carry out an initial, substantive screening of the admissible applications on the file. This assessment takes into consideration both the candidate's merits and potential.

Ghent University emphasizes the qualitative assessment of academic performance. Therefore, candidates are asked in the application form to mention their most important academic or non-academic achievements with the most impact.

For shortlisted candidates, the following steps in the selection procedure shall consist of at least:

• a selection interview in which the vision and planning regarding education, research, and institutional and societal engagement as well as the embedding in the bigger picture are discussed
• a trial lesson on a subject in the relevant field
• a screening of leadership and interpersonal skills

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate, PhD in Sciences-Geology, or a diploma or certificate that is recognized as equivalent.
• You have at least two years of postdoctoral experience on 1 September 2026. This term of two years is determined by the date mentioned on the required diploma.
• Your application meets the formal requirements (submitted on time, complete: with a completed application form and a copy of the diploma, delivered via e-recruitment).

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late or incomplete applications, or applications that are not sent through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field 'Application form': the application form + any attachments merged into one pdf file. Additional documents may be requested from shortlisted candidates.
• In the field 'Diploma': a transcript of your doctoral degree. If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field 'Certificate of equivalence': only for diplomas awarded outside the European Union: certificate of equivalence (NARIC) (if already in you possession). For diplomas awarded in the UK before January 31st of 2020, a certificate of equivalence is not required.

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

MORE INFORMATION

For further information regarding this vacancy, please contact Professor Marc De Batist , at the faculty of sciences, department of geology.

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