Ghent University PhD and Postdoctoral Positions in Belgium

Ghent University PhD and postdoctoral opportunities

Ghent offers two routes to start a PhD: apply for an advertised position or approach a professor about a research opportunity. Its jobs website separates research staff, assistant academic staff and fellowships. Search across the relevant categories rather than relying on one keyword.

This is a recruitment guide, not a single scholarship announcement. A listing can remain visible after its closing date. Always check the date inside the full advertisement.

Current PhD and postdoctoral openings

Verified on 23 October 2026: eight doctoral listings and three postdoctoral opportunities with future closing dates. These are advertised opportunities, not a confirmed total headcount. The LuMoCX notice recruits multiple PhD candidates and one postdoctoral researcher, so it appears in both tables.

PhD openings

Postdoctoral openings

The doctoral listing headers show 23:59 on the stated dates. The IMVEP and hyperspectral postdoc notices specify 23:59 Brussels time. Confirm the exact deadline and time zone in your chosen notice; the SPACETWIN notice uses a seasonal time-zone label that should be clarified with its contact if needed.

For LuMoCX, the combined notice displays 7 December 2026 as its last application date. The postdoctoral appointment begins with 12 months and can be renewed twice, up to 36 months under the standard terms stated there. Read the complete conditions before applying.

Use the official jobs link at the end of this article. Choose the fellowships route for the doctoral notices, including the combined LuMoCX notice. For the other postdoctoral roles, search research staff by job ID. Open the full notice to access the authorised email or application form.

Some advertisements remain visible after they close. The agricultural-economics postdoctoral role with a 16 October 2026 deadline is excluded from this current list. Check availability again before submitting.

Who should consider applying?

Use the required degree and research methods as your first screening criteria. Then compare the project tasks with evidence from your thesis, publications, software or laboratory work.

• PhD candidates: check the accepted master’s subjects and when the degree must be completed.
• Postdoctoral candidates: check the PhD field, experience requirements and any limit on years since the doctorate.
• All candidates: verify language skills, work location and the requested supporting documents.

The requirements in the examples are specific to those roles. They are not university-wide eligibility rules.

Funding, salary and appointment duration

The micro-CT doctoral fellowship is full time. It begins with 12 months and may extend to a total maximum of 48 months after a positive evaluation. Its amount depends on the university’s doctoral fellowship rules and individual circumstances.

The IMVEP notice lists full-time employment and salary scales PD1–PD4. The hyperspectral imaging notice gives a maximum term of 30 months. Its summary lists PD1–PD4, while the detailed remuneration section specifies PD1. Ask the university to confirm the applicable terms.

Before accepting an offer, request a written explanation of pay or fellowship amount, deductions, duration and renewal conditions. Also check relocation costs and the proposed start date. Avoid building a budget from another candidate’s reported net pay.

How to apply

1. Open the official Ghent University jobs page linked below.
2. Use the external jobs site for research staff and explore its fellowships route for doctoral notices.
3. Search by research topic, exact title or job ID. Read the entire advertisement.
4. Check the closing time, required files and submission method.
5. Write a focused application that connects your experience to the project’s tasks.
6. Submit through the stated route and retain the confirmation or sent record.

The micro-CT PhD notice requests a CV, diploma copy if available and motivation letter by email. Both featured postdoctoral notices require online e-recruitment and reject applications sent outside that system. Do not use a research contact’s email as a substitute for an online submission.

For the postdoctoral examples, prepare the CV and academic record, application letter and degree documents. The hyperspectral role also requests referee contact details rather than reference letters. Read file limits and translation instructions before uploading.

Application preparation checklist

• Save the vacancy title, job ID, deadline and submission instructions.
• Prepare a short evidence list against every essential criterion.
• Explain your own contribution to two or three relevant research outputs.
• Check that dates, degree titles and publication details match across documents.
• Ask referees for permission before sharing their details.
• Check PDF readability, filenames and upload limits.
• Submit early enough to resolve a missing document or technical problem.

For a supervisor enquiry, keep the first message brief. State your research interest, explain the fit with the group and ask whether a funded route is available. An expression of interest is not an admission or funding offer.

Career Accelerator support

Need help presenting your research experience? CareerAidHub’s Career Accelerator Program can support academic CV preparation, motivation letters and interview planning.

CareerAidHub is independent of Ghent University. Support does not guarantee admission, funding or selection. Submit applications directly to the university.