University of Antwerp
PhD position in purple engineering
University of Antwerp, Sauk Trail Beach, Wisconsin, United States
Organisation/Company University of Antwerp Research Field Biological sciences » Other Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Other Engineering » Other Technology » Biotechnology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Belgium Application Deadline 19 Jan 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description Let’s shape the future – Purple Engineering at the University of Antwerp
Our consortium is seeking
two full-time PhD candidates
with a strong background in applied microbiology and bioprocess engineering to join
PurpleSpark , a groundbreaking collaborative project between Environmental Technology at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and Biobased Sustainability Engineering (SUSTAIN) at the University of Antwerp (UAntwerp). The partnership combines leading expertise in microbial electrochemistry and purple biotechnology, providing a solid basis for advancing photobioelectrochemical systems and producing high‑value bioproducts with purple phototrophic bacteria.
One PhD student will be based in Wageningen, working under the supervision of Prof. Annemiek ter Heijne, Dr. Tom Sleutels and Dr. Sanne de Smit, with microbial electrochemistry as the main focus. The second PhD student will be based in Antwerp, supervised by Prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck and Dr. Luis Diaz Allegue, with purple biotechnology as the primary focus. Both students will collaborate closely, and secondments to the other institute are planned.
This job description and application are for the UAntwerp position in purple engineering. If your interest lies with bioelectrochemical systems, please refer to the WUR jobsite.
The University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) is a dynamic, forward‑thinking university. We offer innovative academic education to more than 23000 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 6900 employees from more than 130 countries, we are helping to build tomorrow’s world every day. Through top scientific research, we push boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.
The Bioscience Engineering Department was created in 2006, recognizing a strong societal demand in the field of applied life sciences, such as cleantech and environmental technology, for instance. In 2015, prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck launched Biobased Cleantech and Environmental Analysis Research (BioCLEAR), a proud member of the Biobased Sustainability Engineering (SUSTAIN ) Research Group of the Faculty of Science . The team’s mission is to develop clean solutions for environmental and industrial biotechnology, and to assess the environmental sustainability of novel treatment and production pipelines. One example of a key research domain is added‑value microbial products, for instance optimising the productivities of pigments and antioxidants in purple bacteria. The team collaborates with industrial partners, as a core member of the European projects such as Purple4Life , PurpleGain , BioVal , but also for dedicated tech transfer trajectories, and is a member of the UAntwerp Enviromics valorization consortium and the Flemish CAPTURE research platform.
At the University of Antwerp, you will investigate the isolation and bioproduction potential of specialised N₂‑fixing purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB). You will systematically study how process conditions affect PPB growth, composition, and performance. The work combines controlled laboratory experiments with comprehensive analytical approaches to address a key research gap: achieving a mechanistic understanding of how electron donor and acceptor fluxes influence biomass retention, biofilm formation, and overall metabolic efficiency, with feed and food applications in mind.
Position
As a PhD candidate, you will work toward completing a doctoral thesis in Bioscience Engineering, with a focus on purple bacteria biotechnology.
As part of the PurpleSpark project, your primary responsibility will be to carry out laboratory experiments and perform comprehensive analyses using state‑of‑the‑art techniques to assess growth performance, substrate utilisation, and biomass quality. You will play an active role in the development, execution, and interpretation of experiments.
Collaboration is integral to PurpleSpark. Both PhD researchers will work in close coordination and will complete two three‑month research stays at the partner institution, ensuring intensive knowledge exchange and strong interdisciplinarity throughout the project.
You will be an active member of the SUSTAIN research group, collaborating with and supporting fellow researchers and ongoing projects.
Participation in national and international conferences, project meetings, and workshops will be encouraged and supported.
You are expected to communicate your results through scientific publications, conference contributions and regular internal reports, and to engage actively in project meetings and training activities.
Profile
You hold at least a master’s degree in bioscience engineering, biochemical engineering with a focus on environmental and/or industrial biotechnology, applied microbiology, microbial biotechnology, or an equivalent degree in applied biological sciences or engineering.
You have a passion for microbes and sustainability, for sustainable microbial biotechnology at the interface of industrial and environmental applications, and you are highly motivated to contribute to research on purple bacteria.
You have specific knowledge on bioprocess engineering, applied microbiology and microbial biotechnology, including general laboratory skills (proven experience working under sterile conditions) and familiarity with analytical techniques such as chromatography, microscopy, and with molecular biology methods.
Bioinformatic expertise is not mandatory, but will be considered a plus.
You are a practical problem solver, are hands‑on and eager to learn.
You have strong oral and written English proficiency.
You have excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate constructively and respectfully with scientific team members and BSc/MSc students.
You are flexible, communicative, meticulous, creative, quality‑and safety‑oriented, cooperative and a person of integrity.
You are aware of the safety requirements for laboratory work and are committed to maintaining a safe workplace.
What we offer
We can offer a doctoral scholarship for a total period of four years. Following a positive evaluation after one year, the scholarship will be renewed for three years.
The planned start date is April 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible.
40 days of annual leave and one week of collective closure between Christmas and New Year.
You will receive an internet connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
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 .
An open and flexible work environment that encourages creativity, self‑realization and independent thinking. The team is young, dynamic, respectful, diverse and international.
Good coffee, for free. Or tea, if you prefer it.
The opportunity to build a broad national and international network of scientific and industrial partners, and develop new personal competences through professional training moments, courses and workshops.
Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits .
Want to apply?
You can apply for this job through the University of Antwerp’s
online job application platform
until
19th January, 2026
(local time). Click on 'apply for job', complete the online application form, and
do not forget to include the compulsory letter of motivation.
Applications via e‑mail will not be considered, and applicants should not send e‑mails solely to confirm that an online application has been submitted.
The selection committee reviews all applications only after the submission deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are pre‑selected based on your written application, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
The
first interview
is scheduled for the
morning of
January 28th, 2026
(local Antwerp time) and will be relatively brief. After this screening, the top candidates will be invited to
a second interview scheduled for the morning of
February 13th, 2026
(local time), during which the committee will have time for in‑depth discussions. In‑person attendance is preferred, especially for the second interview. The selection committee can only meet at these times , so please mark both dates in your calendar if you apply for this position.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Offer Description Let’s shape the future – Purple Engineering at the University of Antwerp
Our consortium is seeking
two full-time PhD candidates
with a strong background in applied microbiology and bioprocess engineering to join
PurpleSpark , a groundbreaking collaborative project between Environmental Technology at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and Biobased Sustainability Engineering (SUSTAIN) at the University of Antwerp (UAntwerp). The partnership combines leading expertise in microbial electrochemistry and purple biotechnology, providing a solid basis for advancing photobioelectrochemical systems and producing high‑value bioproducts with purple phototrophic bacteria.
One PhD student will be based in Wageningen, working under the supervision of Prof. Annemiek ter Heijne, Dr. Tom Sleutels and Dr. Sanne de Smit, with microbial electrochemistry as the main focus. The second PhD student will be based in Antwerp, supervised by Prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck and Dr. Luis Diaz Allegue, with purple biotechnology as the primary focus. Both students will collaborate closely, and secondments to the other institute are planned.
This job description and application are for the UAntwerp position in purple engineering. If your interest lies with bioelectrochemical systems, please refer to the WUR jobsite.
The University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) is a dynamic, forward‑thinking university. We offer innovative academic education to more than 23000 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 6900 employees from more than 130 countries, we are helping to build tomorrow’s world every day. Through top scientific research, we push boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.
The Bioscience Engineering Department was created in 2006, recognizing a strong societal demand in the field of applied life sciences, such as cleantech and environmental technology, for instance. In 2015, prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck launched Biobased Cleantech and Environmental Analysis Research (BioCLEAR), a proud member of the Biobased Sustainability Engineering (SUSTAIN ) Research Group of the Faculty of Science . The team’s mission is to develop clean solutions for environmental and industrial biotechnology, and to assess the environmental sustainability of novel treatment and production pipelines. One example of a key research domain is added‑value microbial products, for instance optimising the productivities of pigments and antioxidants in purple bacteria. The team collaborates with industrial partners, as a core member of the European projects such as Purple4Life , PurpleGain , BioVal , but also for dedicated tech transfer trajectories, and is a member of the UAntwerp Enviromics valorization consortium and the Flemish CAPTURE research platform.
At the University of Antwerp, you will investigate the isolation and bioproduction potential of specialised N₂‑fixing purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB). You will systematically study how process conditions affect PPB growth, composition, and performance. The work combines controlled laboratory experiments with comprehensive analytical approaches to address a key research gap: achieving a mechanistic understanding of how electron donor and acceptor fluxes influence biomass retention, biofilm formation, and overall metabolic efficiency, with feed and food applications in mind.
Position
As a PhD candidate, you will work toward completing a doctoral thesis in Bioscience Engineering, with a focus on purple bacteria biotechnology.
As part of the PurpleSpark project, your primary responsibility will be to carry out laboratory experiments and perform comprehensive analyses using state‑of‑the‑art techniques to assess growth performance, substrate utilisation, and biomass quality. You will play an active role in the development, execution, and interpretation of experiments.
Collaboration is integral to PurpleSpark. Both PhD researchers will work in close coordination and will complete two three‑month research stays at the partner institution, ensuring intensive knowledge exchange and strong interdisciplinarity throughout the project.
You will be an active member of the SUSTAIN research group, collaborating with and supporting fellow researchers and ongoing projects.
Participation in national and international conferences, project meetings, and workshops will be encouraged and supported.
You are expected to communicate your results through scientific publications, conference contributions and regular internal reports, and to engage actively in project meetings and training activities.
Profile
You hold at least a master’s degree in bioscience engineering, biochemical engineering with a focus on environmental and/or industrial biotechnology, applied microbiology, microbial biotechnology, or an equivalent degree in applied biological sciences or engineering.
You have a passion for microbes and sustainability, for sustainable microbial biotechnology at the interface of industrial and environmental applications, and you are highly motivated to contribute to research on purple bacteria.
You have specific knowledge on bioprocess engineering, applied microbiology and microbial biotechnology, including general laboratory skills (proven experience working under sterile conditions) and familiarity with analytical techniques such as chromatography, microscopy, and with molecular biology methods.
Bioinformatic expertise is not mandatory, but will be considered a plus.
You are a practical problem solver, are hands‑on and eager to learn.
You have strong oral and written English proficiency.
You have excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate constructively and respectfully with scientific team members and BSc/MSc students.
You are flexible, communicative, meticulous, creative, quality‑and safety‑oriented, cooperative and a person of integrity.
You are aware of the safety requirements for laboratory work and are committed to maintaining a safe workplace.
What we offer
We can offer a doctoral scholarship for a total period of four years. Following a positive evaluation after one year, the scholarship will be renewed for three years.
The planned start date is April 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible.
40 days of annual leave and one week of collective closure between Christmas and New Year.
You will receive an internet connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
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 .
An open and flexible work environment that encourages creativity, self‑realization and independent thinking. The team is young, dynamic, respectful, diverse and international.
Good coffee, for free. Or tea, if you prefer it.
The opportunity to build a broad national and international network of scientific and industrial partners, and develop new personal competences through professional training moments, courses and workshops.
Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits .
Want to apply?
You can apply for this job through the University of Antwerp’s
online job application platform
until
19th January, 2026
(local time). Click on 'apply for job', complete the online application form, and
do not forget to include the compulsory letter of motivation.
Applications via e‑mail will not be considered, and applicants should not send e‑mails solely to confirm that an online application has been submitted.
The selection committee reviews all applications only after the submission deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are pre‑selected based on your written application, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
The
first interview
is scheduled for the
morning of
January 28th, 2026
(local Antwerp time) and will be relatively brief. After this screening, the top candidates will be invited to
a second interview scheduled for the morning of
February 13th, 2026
(local time), during which the committee will have time for in‑depth discussions. In‑person attendance is preferred, especially for the second interview. The selection committee can only meet at these times , so please mark both dates in your calendar if you apply for this position.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr