Postdoctoral fellow with expertise in phototrophic bioprocess engineering

Let’s shape the future – Phototrophic Bioprocess Engineering at the University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp’s Faculty of Science is seeking a full-time postdoctoral fellow with expertise in phototrophic bioprocess engineering to join the research group Biobased Sustainability Engineering (SUSTAIN), part of the Department of Bioscience Engineering.

The University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) is a dynamic, forward-thinking university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 25,000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research, and play an important role in providing services to society. With more than 7,000 employees from 100+ nationalities, we help build tomorrow's world every day. Together 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 to address the growing societal demand for experts in biobased problem-solving across a range of fields, including sustainable biotechnology, cell and gene biotechnology, chemical engineering, food technology, nature-based solutions, and sustainable cities. In 2015, prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck launched the Biobased Cleantech and Environmental Analysis Research (BioCLEAR), a proud member of the Biobased Sustainability Engineering (SUSTAIN) Research Group of the Faculty of Science. The team’s mission is to develop clean biotechnological solutions and to assess the environmental sustainability of novel treatment pipelines. Key domains include (i) microbial products for nutrition and health, mostly based on purple bacteria, alongside (ii) treatment solutions for nutrients and carbon from wastewater and other secondary resources. The team is a core member of the European COST action PurpleGain, the Enviromics valorisation consortium, the CAPTURE platform, and the MELiSSA circular life support program of the European Space Agency (ESA).

The advertised position is hosted within BioCLEAR’s team, led by Prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck, and will contribute to BioVal, a Horizon Europe research and innovation action with research activities led by dr. Luis Diaz Allegue and prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck. This international multi-partner project will develop a near-zero-waste biorefinery using microalgae and bacterial gas fermentation to convert residual biomass and captured CO₂ into lipids and other high-value products, including pigments and antioxidants.

The project places particular emphasis on astaxanthin production from Haematococcus lacustris and the evaluation of commercially relevant microalgal strains with industrial potential. At UAntwerp, research focuses on optimizing cultivation processes with a specific emphasis on aerobic photomixotrophic metabolism, combining photoautotrophic and aerobic heterotrophic growth to enhance lipid and pigment productivity. In parallel, customised downstream processing strategies are developed for the extraction and purification of lipids, astaxanthin, and other valuable compounds, to maximise recovery yields, product quality, and overall process efficiency.

Position

• Your main responsibility will be to study the aerobic photomixotrophic growth of microalgae. This will include optimizing cultivation conditions, testing single and multi-stage systems to separate biomass growth from metabolite production, evaluating targeted stress factors, and developing a tailored downstream process for the extraction of pigments, and lipids.
• You will design, perform, and interpret laboratory experiments. You will take an active role in addressing the scientific and technical needs of the BioVal project and work closely with project partners to support process development and scale-up.
• You will work towards publishing high-quality peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• You will prepare regular reports on your research progress and will present your research at project meetings.
• Participation in national and international scientific conferences or workshops will be encouraged and supported.
• You will be an active member of SUSTAIN’s microbial product cluster, collaborating with and supporting fellow researchers and ongoing projects when needed, and supporting grant acquisition.

Profile

• You hold a PhD degree in bioscience engineering, chemical or biochemical engineering with a focus on industrial and/or environmental applications, or an equivalent degree in applied biological sciences or biotechnology.
• You have proven experience in bioprocess engineering, ideally in the axenic cultivation of microorganisms, particularly microalgae. You have profound knowledge of downstream processing, and ideally proven expertise in extraction and purification techniques of pigments and other bioactive compounds. You are skilled in a portfolio of analytical techniques, including chromatography, microscopy and molecular biology techniques.
• You have hands-on experience in downstream processing techniques, including biomass drying, mechanical cell disruption (e.g., high-pressure homogenization, bead milling), and the recovery of high-value metabolites.
• You are passionate about microbial biotechnology and sustainability, especially at the interface of industrial and environmental applications, and are highly motivated to work on microalgal solutions.
• You have authored first-author publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals indexed by Web of Science.
• Your research practices align with the university’s research policies, including a strong focus on quality and integrity in your work.
• You are a hands-on problem solver, and eager to learn and improve. You are flexible and creative.
• You possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English and express yourself clearly and transparently.
• You have strong interpersonal skills, enabling you to collaborate effectively and respectfully with fellow researchers and to guide and support BSc/MSc students.
• You are safety-conscious and committed to actively contributing to a safe and responsible laboratory environment.

What we offer

• We offer a postdoctoral scholarship for a total duration of two years. Following a positive evaluation after the first year, the scholarship will be extended for an additional one year.
• The planned start date is October 1^st, 2026, or as soon as possible.
• The monthly scholarship amount will be determined according to the scholarship amounts, in line with the rates applicable to postdoctoral fellows.
• 40 days of annual leave and one week of collective closure between Christmas and New Year.
• You will receive an internet connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• Flexible working hours, and a work environment that encourages creativity, self-realisation and independent thinking. The team is dynamic, respectful, diverse and international.
• The opportunity to build a broad national and international network of scientific and industrial partners, and develop new personal competences through professional training moments, courses and workshops.
• Good coffee and tea are always available, with occasional chocolates or other treats to celebrate scientific achievements.
• 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 vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform until 6 July 2026 (midnight Antwerp time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments:
  1. a personal motivation letter,
  2. your academic CV,
  3. a statement that you are willing to actively compete for additional research funding.
• The absence of any required attachment may result in exclusion from the procedure. 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 will review all the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. A pre-selection will be made from amongst the submitted applications. The further selection procedure is specific to the position and will be determined by the selection panel. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the outcome.
• The first interview is scheduled for the afternoon of 19 August 2026 (local Antwerp time). After this screening, the top candidates will be invited to a second interview in the afternoon of 25 August 2026 (local time).
• The selection committee can only meet at these moments, so please mark these dates in your calendar if you apply for this position. In-person attendance is preferred, particularly for the second interview.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact dr. ir. Siegfried Vlaeminck ([email protected]).

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.