Scientific Researcher (27290)

→  Apply before 01/07/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→  Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
→  Department: EA15 - Civiele Techniek
→  Occupancy rate: 100%
→  Number of positions: 1
→  Type of employment: Contract of limited duration
→  Term of assignment: 1 jaar
→  Wage scale: WM1 to WM4 (master degree)
→  Required diploma: Master

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

The Maritime Technology Division (www.maritiem.ugent.be) is a research group within the Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture of Ghent University. Their research is focussing on hydrodynamics of ships and other floating structures in general, and more particularly on the behaviour of ships in confined navigation areas. Additionally, the division is also involved in research w.r.t. hydrodynamics of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines and engineering aspects of aquaculture.

The behaviour of ships in restricted waters (access channels, canals, locks, harbour docks) is the main focus of the Division. This research, covering the hydrodynamics of seagoing and inland vessels in navigation areas with restrictions in both depth and horizontal extent, is performed in close co-operation with Flanders Hydraulics (FH, Flemish Government, Antwerp) within the Knowledge Centre Manoeuvring in Shallow and Confined Water (www.shallowwater.be). This research can be considered as a niche within the field of ship hydrodynamics, as ships are mostly designed for open, deep sea; as a result, most ship hydrodynamics research worldwide is mainly focused on those open and deep water conditions. For this reason, the Knowledge Centre has gained international recognition as one of the leading research groups in ship behaviour in confined waters. Such conditions are of main concern for ships in access channels to ports, harbour areas, docks, locks, berths.

Within this research topic a new position is opened on the topic of the study of confinement effects on ship manoeuvring (keywords: ship-bank interaction, drift, drag, lift). The candidate will operate from a hydrodynamic and numerical viewpoint, validated by experiments i.e. creating new data with CFD and validate these with existing test programs carried out in the towing tank. There will be support from the division to apply for a scholarship at the Research Fund Flanders (FWO).

It is crucial for the candidate to check the eligibility criteria at Research Foundation - Flanders - PhD Fellowship fundamental research (fwo.be) (presently for call 2024, but no major changes are expected for call 2025), to name a few important ones:

• Having obtained the relevant MSc degree recently (March 2022 or later)

• Having a top academic track

Candidates that do not meet these criteria are  eligible, but meeting the aforementioned criteria is a strong asset.

Candidates should be holding a MSc degree in Engineering with marine specialisation (or equivalent). Experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics and/or experimental hydrodynamics is a strong asset, however, if this experience is not present, the candidate will have to follow appropriate courses from the doctoral school. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset, but not a formal requirement, as most of the research is done in an international context.

You will be supervised by the professors and post-doctoral researchers of the UGent Maritime Technology Division. Your default working place will be located in Ghent.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Master of Science in Engineering with marine specialisation (Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering or equivalent), with the following skills and competences:

• Candidates should be well‐qualified academically to masters level with maritime background (preferably obtained since March 2022). The research project will require a mix of skills, including mathematical modelling, programming, simulation skills and practical engineering aspects.

• Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Candidates must be flexible, responsible and team workers;

• Candidates must be proficient in English. Knowledge of Dutch is convenient, but not a requirement;

• Prior experience in data analysis and related statistics using appropriate software tools is considered as an advantage.

• Candidates who already received a PhD scholarship (even a partial one) are excluded.

• Candidates holding a PhD title are excluded.

The assessment will be performed in several rounds:

1. Selection based on application
2. Selection interviews
3. Assessment of engineering and mathematical skills

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period from 1 year.
• Your contract will start on 1/09/2024 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1 to WM4 (if you hold a Master’s degree) or salary scale PD1 to PD4 (if you hold a doctorate).  Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

INTERESTED?

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

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). 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 “other documents”: a reference letter, an overview of your study results,  … 
• AI generated letters are not accepted  

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

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Guillaume Delefortrie guillaume.delefortrie@ugent.be). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via selecties@ugent.be or +32 9 264 34 36