Professor in Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture

Professor in Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture (BOF) Job ID: 29376 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 vacancy is situated within the Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering and is part of the strategic strengthening of the synergy between aquatic ecology, aquaculture and the blue economy. The new BOF-TT mandate "Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture" forms the bridge between the aquatic-ecological and aquaculture parts of the department and is complementary to the existing expertise within the Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center (ARC), the Blue Growth Research Lab (BGRL) and Marine@UGent. The assignment mainly includes research into integrated and sustainable use of marine ecosystems, with a focus on ecological interactions, system thinking and the interaction between aquatic production systems and their environment. In addition, the mandate includes a relatively limited teaching assignment in the field of Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture, with a focus on sustainable aquaculture systems and the ecological interactions between aquatic organisms. The declaration of vacancy is motivated by the need to strengthen the marine ecology and aquaculture pillar within the department following some retirements, and by the ambition to achieve a structural integration between aquaculture and marine ecology in research, education and services, in line with the Ghent University developments in Ostend and the international expansion of Marine@UGent. The position, funded by the Special Research Fund, is granted the privilege of focusing primarily on research for a period of 5 years. During that period the teaching load will be limited to no more than 8 ECTS credits per semester on average over a period of 3 years. For the further development of the academic career, please see ‘Appointment information’ below. Academic research >You conduct innovative and internationally recognized research in the field of Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture, with particular attention to the interaction between aquaculture and the aquatic environment: on the one hand, the impact of external environmental factors (such as climate change and ocean warming) on aquaculture systems, and on the other hand, the effects of aquaculture on ecosystem processes. Academic education You teach courses in the field of Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture, with a focus on the ecological interactions between aquatic organisms, the integration of different trophic levels in sustainable aquaculture systems, and the application of marine biodiversity in circular production concepts. The teaching assignment is mainly situated within English‑taught master’s courses and also includes a contribution to an introductory Zoology course within the Dutch‑taught bachelor’s programme in Bioscience Engineering Technology. If you are not a native Dutch speaker, you are expected to be able to teach this course (as a co‑lecturer) in Dutch within a reasonable period after your appointment. Institutional and societal engagement Based on your expertise and experience, you will contribute to the university's operations and/or take on external assignments. The successful candidate is expected to participate in the education committee regarding the aquaculture programme(s) of FBW and coordinate the administrative aspects of internships within this programme. Further services (internal/external) during the BOF‑TT mandate can be determined by the candidate in line with interests and available time. Profile You have a strong academic CV with international visibility in the requested field: 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 ; You can demonstrate that you can successfully supervise students at master’s and doctoral level; 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. Y ou 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 in a tenure track system for a term of five years. If positively evaluated by the University Board, the term of office will be transferred into a permanent appointment as an associate professor . At that moment the time devoted to research, education and institutional and societal engagement may be altered. 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. Ghent University strives for a gender balance, whereby a maximum of three‑fifths of the doctoral members of the academic staff are of the same sex. As long as this target has not been met at the level of the scientific group, priority will be given to candidates of the under‑represented sex for senior academic staff mandates with mainly research assignments in the event of equal qualifications. This precedence is not automatic and unconditional; the personal situation of each candidate is always taken into account when assessing the applications. 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 Admission requirements You hold a thesis‑based doctorate 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 + a mandatory appendix in which you explain your vision on research that will be realized during the next term of the mandate of ZAP member with mainly research assignment. Minimum 3 – maximum 5 pages, references not included. All this combined as a one‑pdf file. 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 Veerle Fievez ( veerle.fievez@UGent.be , +32 (0)9 264 90 02 ) at the faculty of Bioscience Engineering, department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology. Vragen over online solliciteren? Lees de FAQ of contacteer ons via selecties@ugent.be. #J-18808-Ljbffr