Professor in Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture

Job Details

The vacancy is situated within the Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering and is part of the strategic strengthening of the synergy between aquatic ecology, aquaculture and the blue economy. The new BOF-TT mandate "Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture" forms the bridge between the aquatic-ecological and aquaculture parts of the department and is complementary to the existing expertise within the Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center (ARC), the Blue Growth Research Lab (BGRL) and Marine@UGent.

The assignment mainly includes research into integrated and sustainable use of marine ecosystems, with a focus on ecological interactions, system thinking and the interaction between aquatic production systems and their environment. In addition, the mandate includes a relatively limited teaching assignment in the field of Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture, with a focus on sustainable aquaculture systems and the ecological interactions between aquatic organisms.

Academic research

You conduct innovative and internationally recognized research in the field of Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture, with particular attention to the interaction between aquaculture and the aquatic environment: on the one hand, the impact of external environmental factors (such as climate change and ocean warming) on aquaculture systems, and on the other hand, the effects of aquaculture on ecosystem processes.

The position, funded by the Special Research Fund, is granted the privilege of focusing primarily on research for a period of 5 years. During that period the teaching load will be limited to no more than 8 ECTS credits per semester on average over a period of 3 years. 

For the further development of the academic career, please see ‘Appointment information’ below.

Academic education

You teach courses in the field of Applied Marine Ecology and Integrated Aquaculture, with a focus on the ecological interactions between aquatic organisms, the integration of different trophic levels in sustainable aquaculture systems, and the application of marine biodiversity in circular production concepts. The teaching assignment is mainly situated within English-taught master’s courses and also includes a contribution to an introductory Zoology course within the Dutch-taught bachelor’s programme in Bioscience Engineering Technology. If you are not a native Dutch speaker, you are expected to be able to teach this course (as a co-lecturer) in Dutch within a reasonable period after your appointment.

Institutional and societal engagement

Based on your expertise and experience, you will contribute to the university's operations and/or take on external assignments. The successful candidate is expected to participate in the education committee regarding the aquaculture programme(s) of FBW and coordinate the administrative aspects of internships within this programme.

Further services (internal/external) during the BOF-TT mandate can be determined by the candidate in line with interests and available time.

Requirements

• You have a strong academic CV with international visibility in the requested field:

• Your achievements in the field of research and education contribute to the development of the scientific domain (e.g. publications, presentations, or other academic output);
• You are capable to initiate and supervise educational and research projects and to acquire the necessary funding for this;
• You are didactically skilled to teach university students to develop academic competences; You can demonstrate that you can successfully supervise students at master’s and doctoral level;
• Mobility is recommended (e.g. education, research, economic, or societal). 

• You work in a collaborative way and integrate smoothly into the department/faculty. You look for opportunities inside and outside the university and actively use your network to do so.

• You show leadership potential/have leadership experience. More information about leadership at Ghent University.
• If you don't know Dutch, you are willing to learn it. This will be assessed during the selection interview. When taking up a teaching assignment, you must master the language of instruction of the course. More information about the language requirements and appropriate language guidance at Ghent University.

Contact Information

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

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘Application form’: the application form + a mandatory appendix in which you explain your vision on research that will be realized during the next term of the mandate of ZAP member with mainly research assignment. Minimum 3 – maximum 5 pages, references not included. All this combined as a one-pdf file.
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of your doctoral degree. 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 ‘Certificate of equivalence’: only for diplomas awarded outside the European Union: certificate of equivalence (NARIC) (if already in you possession). For diplomas awarded in the UK before January 31st of 2020, a certificate of equivalence is not required.

For further information regarding this vacancy, please contact Professor Veerle Fievez (veerle.fievez@UGent.be, +32 (0)9 264 90 02) at the faculty of Bioscience Engineering, department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology.