Scientific Project Manager - Tropical Ecosystem Field Projects (Central Africa)
- Apply before 15/06/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
- Department: BW24 \- Groene Chemie en Technologie
- Occupancy rate:100%
- Number of positions: 1
- Type of employment: Contract of limited duration
- Term of assignment: 01\.07\.2026\-31\.12\.2027
- Wage scale: WM1 to WM4 (master degree)
- Required diploma:Master
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
ISOFYS – Isotope Bioscience Laboratory, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology – and Q\-ForestLab – Laboratory of Quantitative Forest Ecosystem Science, Both are research units at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering of Ghent University, Belgium. ISOFYS is equipped with diverse state\-of\-the\-art stable and radioisotope analytical equipment and carries out highly international oriented research and education on isotope biogeochemistry, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and integrated tropical soil fertility. Q\-ForestLab combines a unique set of state\-of\-the\-art methodologies, including remote sensing, terrestrial laser scanning, process\-based vegetation modelling and field observations, and carries out highly international oriented research and education on vegetation dynamics, ecosystem structure, and biogeochemical cycles of (tropical) terrestrial ecosystems in response to climate and land\-use change. Together, ISOFYS and Q\-ForestLab contribute to a process\-based understanding of ecosystem functions.
Scientific background
- ISOFYS and Q\-ForestLab are seeking a highly motivated Scientific Project Manager to support and coordinate international research activities focusing on tropical ecosystems, peatlands, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and ecosystem monitoring. The position combines scientific coordination, field logistics, technical implementation, data management and statistics, and international collaboration between Belgium and Central Africa.
Specific tasks* Coordinate and follow up scientific research projects conducted in Central Africa and other tropical regions.
- Organize and support field campaigns, including logistics, equipment preparation, transport, and communication with local collaborators and institutions.
- Participate actively in fieldwork activities in remote tropical environments, including extended missions requiring camping and physically demanding work conditions.
- Support the installation, maintenance, and monitoring of scientific instrumentation such as:
+ Eddy covariance towers,
+ Environmental sensors and data acquisition systems.
- Collect, organize, validate, and manage environmental and scientific datasets from multiple projects.
- Ensure proper documentation, reporting, and scientific follow\-up of field activities.
- Facilitate communication between international project partners, researchers, technicians, and local stakeholders.
- Contribute to project planning, budgeting, procurement, and reporting activities.
- Assist in the development and implementation of new scientific field projects and monitoring infrastructures.
- You hold a Master’s degree.
- We look for strongly motivated candidates with relevant working experience in central Africa witha diploma of one of the following training programs: MsC Bioscience engineering, MsC Biology, MsC Physics, MsC Civil Engineering or equivalent;
- General knowledge on and understanding of dataloggers, meteorological equipment and gas analyzers;
- Fluent in English and French;
- Experience with scientific fieldwork and environmental monitoring equipment is highly valued;
- Ability to work independently in remote and demanding field conditions;
- Willing to work in multidisciplinary team and with different stakeholders and project partners;
- Knowledge in the field of eddy\-covariance and tropical forest biogeochemistry is a plus;
- Independent, dynamic, communicative and social are crucial soft skills;
- Willing to travel occasionally to Central Africa \+/\- 4 times a year.
- We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period from 01/07/2026\-31/12/2027\.
- Your contract will start on 1/07/2026 at the earliest.
- The successful candidate will be based in Ghent
- Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1 to WM4\. 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.
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 a transcript of your academic record (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,
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. Prof. Dr. Ir. Pascal Boeckx
Isotope Bioscience Laboratory, Ghent University
Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Tel.: \+32 264 60 00
Email: Pascal.Boeckx@UGent.be
Prof. Dr. Ir. Marijn Bauters
Laboratory of Quantitative Forest Ecosystem Science
Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Tel: \+32 483 45 29 72
Email: marijn.bauters@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.
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