Department: Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering
Faculty: Faculty of Applied Engineering

• Employment Type: Full-time (100%)
• Position: Doctoral Scholarship Holder
• Field: Machine Learning for Circular Polyurethane Design
• Planned Start Date: 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

About the University

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 Biochemical and Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Engineering is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of machine learning for circular polyurethane design.

Position

• You will actively work on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of machine learning for circular polyurethane design. In your work you will help to develop a quantum-to-plant model to predict polyurethane recyclability and separation energy from formulation.
• You will build machine learning models linking molecular structure (SMILES descriptors, fingerprints, graph representations) to reaction rate constants, connect molecular dynamics outputs to depolymerization mixture thermodynamics, and relate composition to separation energy/cost for techno-economic assessment.
• Your work will be done in close collaboration with quantum chemists, reaction engineers, molecular dynamics specialists, and experimentalists.
• You will:You will make a supporting, scientific contribution to existing research projects or lines of research beyond your own doctoral research.
  • Draw up a research plan and corresponding research methods in consultation with your supervisor(s) and undertake the necessary administration for a smooth PhD process.
  • Conduct the research efficiently and to an appropriate standard, possibly abroad, and compete for funding for general or specific costs.
  • Report progress to your supervisor(s) and committees, and present your research at scientific conferences.
  • Defend your thesis publicly and aim for publication in the scientific press.
• You will compete for internal or external predoctoral funding.
• 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 Faculty of Applied Engineering.

Profile

• You hold a master degree in (bio)chemistry, (bio)chemical engineering, material/polymer sciences or (bio)cheminformatics, or you will have obtained it by the time of appointment.
• You can provide evidence of excellent study results.
• Experience with programming languages (Python or C++), machine learning/deep learning, computational chemistry and polymer chemistry is an advantage.
• You have a good knowledge of English, both oral and written.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What We Offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of 1 year, renewable up to 4 years after a positive evaluation.
• We offer the opportunity to take part in academic activities within the scope of your work, as well as the opportunity to further develop yourself through training and education.
• The planned start date is 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
• You will receive:As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School.
  • Ecocheques.
  • Internet-connectivity allowance.
  • Bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger (Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen) in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to Apply?

You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 31 August 2026 (by midnight Brussels time).

Click on the "Apply" button and complete the online application form.

Be sure to include the following attachments:

• A motivation letter.
• Your academic CV, including a complete transcript of records.

The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, you will be notified.

If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.

Please note the following dates in your calendar:

• 8 September 2026 – Selection tests.
• 15–16 September 2026 – Selection interviews.

If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be.

If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact:

• Yoshi Marien, Assistant Professor – yoshi.marien@uantwerpen.be
• Attila Kovacs, Postdoctoral Researcher – attila.kovacs@uantwerpen.be

Application Deadline

Applications close: 31 August 2026 (midnight Brussels time)

Equal Opportunity Statement

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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