Doctoral scholarship holder built heritage and engineering/physics

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 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 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The research group Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/arches/) in the Faculty of Design Sciences, in collaboration with InViLab in the Faculty of Applied Engineering and VisionLab at the Faculty of Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) interdisciplinary doctoral scholarship holder in the field of built heritage and engineering/physics.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of an interdisciplinary PhD thesis in the field of built heritage, engineering and/or physics.
• You will work on the detection of moisture in historic buildings, particularly on the application of hyperspectral imaging as an innovative method. You will do research on the data acquisition process, data analysis and validation, and application for studying moisture transport and retention processes in historic building envelopes.
• You will be supported in developing systems for data acquisition, trained for data analysis (using machine learning approaches), supported in the assessment of moisture in historic buildings and in laboratory and on-site assessment of moisture related decay processes.
• You will closely collaborate with researchers within the institute and outside the institute, amongst other in the framework of the Belspo 2.0 CLIMPACTH project (a project in collaboration with KIK-IRPA Monuments Lab and UGent Building Physics).
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the involved research groups.
• You will supervise bachelor and or master students during their thesis.
• You participate in international conferences and have the possibility to follow specialised workshops and training sessions.
• You follow the Antwerp Doctoral School training program.
• You write a personalized fellowship application in the first year. You are fully paid during this period (see ‘What we offer’).

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Engineering, Physics, or equivalent,  or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You demonstrate far-reaching interest in imaging, data analysis and experimental work in your motivation letter.
• You demonstrate interest in material science and in the field of built heritage in your motivation letter.
• You demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You demonstrate adequate English. Holding a C1 (or better) English certificate is considered as a plus.
• You are open and constructive in communication and attitude. You are willing to provide support to peers.

What we offer

• We offer a fully paid doctoral scholarship for a total period of four years. This is offered as 1+1+2 years contracts, where renewal of the scholarship follows a positive evaluation at the end of each period.
• The planned start date is 1 October 2024 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Mutsaard (City Campus), Campus Groenenborger and Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 26/08/2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • your academic CV
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Tim De Kock (tim.dekock@uantwerpen.be).

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.