Coordinator of Chemistry
University of Antwerp
Belgium

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 Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science has the following full-time vacancy: tenured senior academic staff in the field of plasma diagnostics and applications in sustainable chemistry

Position

You will contribute to the University of Antwerp’s three core tasks: education (40%), research (40%) and services (20%). Your role also includes organisational and managerial aspects.

Education

• You will provide high-quality education in: Chemistry.
• Your teaching role will evolve along with the study programmes and language certificates obtained. The courses you will teach may be included in the curriculum of analytical and physical chemistry. Teaching assignments are expected to amount to approximately 100 contact hours per academic year. Typical examples of courses include “general chemistry” (Bacherlor’s program in the Faculty of Science), “plasma technology” (Bachelor 3 Chemistry and Physics, elective course), and later “instrumental analysis” (Bachelor Chemistry) and the elective course “plasma diagnostics” in the Master’s program in Chemistry, as well as an additional course, for example in Physical Chemistry.
• You will play a role in developing activating, student-centred and competence-driven programme components and study programmes.
• You will supervise students and their Bachelor and Master theses, as well as during industrial internships.

Research

• You will expand high-quality scientific research in plasma diagnostics and applications in sustainable chemistry. In addition to expertise in plasma diagnostics and sustainable chemistry, you preferably work on topics related to atmospheric pressure plasmas and have expertise in reactor engineering for gas conversion. Your research is complementary to the current expertise.
• You will initiate new internationally competitive lines of research in plasma diagnostics and plasma applications for sustainable chemistry and coordinate the progress of scientific research projects. You will also participate in ongoing research programmes.
• Strategic fundamental research aimed at long-term valorization and direct collaboration with the (chemical) industry is encouraged.
• Your research lines and expertise enable internal collaborations (Department of Chemistry at UAntwerpen and, additionally, the Faculty of Science and other faculties within UAntwerpen) and external collaborations (with other institutes in Flanders or elsewhere).
• You will acquire and manage national and international research funding.
• You will publish in international A1 journals in the domain as well as in multidisciplinary chemistry areas .
• You will develop an international scientific network.
• You will supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

Services

• You will play a role in the provision of both academic services and service to society, within the institution and externally. You will participate in student recruitment, boards and committees, popular science communication, and so on.

Organisation and leadership

• You will grow into a position where you take on coordinating responsibilities in the areas of education, research, and/or service, and you will contribute to policy development after the TT period (5 years). In the further future, you will take on the coordination of the PLASMANT group and mentor new young colleagues.
• Your leadership style will be motivating and coaching. You will be attentive to your employees’ growth and development processes.
• You actively promote a culture of safety, sustainability, professionalism, and responsibility within the Department of Chemistry.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical engineering, (applied) physics (with experience in chemistry), bio-engineering (specialization in chemistry).
• You can demonstrate several years of postdoctoral experience (or equivalent) at a university/research institute/company within or outside Belgium. This was done at least partially in an organization other than where the doctorate was obtained.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies. You have established an excellent research portfolio including A1 publications.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision. You are motivated to develop your teaching skills further through the professionalisation opportunities
• If you do not speak Dutch, the administrative language of the university, you should be willing to obtain a CEFR B2 level of proficiency in Dutch. As soon as you take on teaching duties as a programme component coordinator, you should be able to demonstrate a CEFR C1 level of proficiency in the language of instruction. The University of Antwerp supports international staff members through an integration trajectory and offers tailor-made language coaching in compliance with Flanders’ statutory language regulations. The Department of Chemistry expects you to obtain a C1 Dutch certificate no later than 8 years after hiring.
• You demonstrate leadership potential and organisational skills.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are a team player with strong communication skills and dare to take initiative.
• You are reliable and results-oriented, with a clear vision that you combine with flexibility and adaptability to change.
• You are passionate about both teaching and research in chemistry.

What we offer

• We offer a full-time appointment as a member of the Senior Academic Staff (Dutch: Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel, ZAP). The level of your appointment (assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor) is determined on the basis of your professional experience and academic qualifications. Junior ZAP members are usually offered temporary appointment as a tenure track assistant professor for five years, which is then followed by permanent appointment as an associate professor. Appointment as an associate professor or higher leads to permanent appointment (tenure) after a maximum of three years. A favourable performance appraisal is always required for permanent appointment.
• We offer, after a positive evaluation of a PhD project you conducted, an attractive starter package consisting of a four-year PhD project and € 25 000 of consumables to boost your research from the start of your employment at the University of Antwerp.  
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scales for Senior Academic Staff.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger – new Chemistry Building W in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• 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 vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 3 September 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form and don’t forget to include the following documents: (1) your motivation letter (including your vision on education and research, and at least indicating why this position appeals to you, collaboration within the Department of Chemistry and beyond, vision and needs for space and equipment at the start, and as part of funding applications to expand the research group and needs for technical support) (2) the completed job application appendix for ZAP, (3) your academic CV, (4) research plan (1 A4 page).
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. Please make a note of the following dates: external assessment in week of 20 October, interview/sample lesson in week of 27 October or 3 November. If you are invited to the selection interview, you will also be asked to propose a topic for a four-year PhD project.
• 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 Prof. Annemie Bogaerts (PLASMANT, annemie.bogaerts@uantwerpen.be) and Prof. Vera Meynen (president department of Chemistry, vera.meynen@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.