项目介绍

2026年10月17日

Last application date Nov 15, 2026 23:59Department LA20 – Department of EnvironmentDegree MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (Bioscience-Engineering, Remote Sensing, Surveying, Physics, Geosciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, etc.)Occupancy rate 100%Vacancy type Research staffABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITYGhent 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 85 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 JOBQ-ForestLab (www.q-forestlab.ugent.be) is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to work on the ERC project SPACETWIN: Digital twins for understanding forest disturbances and recovery from space.Forests worldwide are undergoing large-scale and unprecedented changes in terms of structure and species composition due to anthropogenic disturbances, climate change, and other global change drivers. Climate, disturbances and forest structure are all closely linked: changes in climate can lead directly to physical changes in forest structure and vice versa or to an anticipated increase in forest disturbances. However, it is still uncertain how forest structure is impacted by disturbances (locally) and how we can detect and monitor various levels of disturbance regimes using spaceborne satellite data (globally).This PhD position draws on the experience and resources from multiple projects such as SPACETWIN (ERC) and the Queensland Permanent Rainforest Plots (QPRP) Australia project (FWO). This project will focus on the impact of drought, fire, cyclone and logging disturbances across a range of tropical and temperate forest ecosystems. It will lead to a step-change in our ability to observe, quantify and understand forest disturbances and recovery by using time series of the most detailed structural and radiometric 3D forest models ever built: ‘digital twin’ forests. The project will draw upon Earth observation platforms spanning passive and active optical and microwave sensors.Within your work, you will:use 3D terrestrial laser scanning data to further develop the creation and implementation of digital twins of forests for optical and microwave radiative transfer modellingexplore the near-real time inversion of remote sensing of forest disturbances from satellitesuse a library of digital twin forests to understand the monitoring of disturbances from satellites, applying this to important satellite missions quantifying forest structure such as ESA BIOMASS, NASA GEDI and future NASA EDGE and JAXA MOLI, with a particular focus on upscaling and uncertainties. We will use the extensive multi-scale lidar dataset of the Australian Wet Tropics as a case study. Fieldwork at these field sites may be required. This PhD project will be promoted by prof. Kim Calders and co-supervised by dr. Niall Origo. You will interact regularly with Prof. Mathias Disney (University College London), who will act as an informal advisor. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FORMSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (Bioscience-Engineering, Remote Sensing, Surveying, Physics, Geosciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, etc.)Fluent in programming languages such as (at least one of) R, C++ or PythonPrior experience with satellite remote sensing (either optical or radar or both) and satellite data analysisPrior experience with, or a solid understanding of, radiative transfer modelling within vegetation is preferredPrevious experience with (terrestrial) laser scanning and 3D modelling of forests is a plus, but not a requirementA passion for nature and forests and a keen interest in forest ecology. You might also contribute to fieldwork to collect additional field data for this projectA good command of English, both written and oral. WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOUWe offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which, after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.Your contract will start on January 1, 2027 at the earliest.The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. 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.The successful candidate will be based in Ghent.Opportunities to present your work at scientific conferences.Collaboration in a young and dynamic international scientific team. Life-work balance is important for us.Please mention your favourite animal in your motivation letter so we can check that you at least read this vacancy in full.About Q-ForestLab – www.q-forestlab.ugent.be Our lab is part of Ghent University in Belgium and studies vegetation dynamics, ecology, biogeochemistry, carbon and water cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. Q-ForestLab has a strong focus on forest ecosystems, but a broad interest in all types of terrestrial ecosystems, including tropical and temperate forests, drylands, peatlands and urban ecosystems. Our strength lies in a unique combination of methodologies, ranging from empirical in-situ observations and experiments, over 3D forest reconstructions, to process-based modelling and remote sensing. INTERESTED?Application submission (CV and application letter) through this google form: https://forms.gle/MvdaQaahY89dsxFd9Application deadline: 15th November 2026 (midnight CEST)Notification of selection for interview: Late NovemberInterviews (online): 21st – 23rd December 2026 (tentatively). You will receive a notification after submitting your application – please check your spam folder.More information or if you have problems with the submission form: Prof. Kim Calders | kim.calders@ugent.beAs Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

Job details

Title

Doctoral fellow – Department of Environment

Employer

Ghent University

Location

Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 33 Ghent, Belgium

Published

2026-10-15

Application deadline

2026-11-15 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)

2026-11-15 23:59 (CET)

Job type

PhD

Field

Ecology, ,

Computational Sciences, ,

Environmental Science, ,

Forestry, ,

Remote Sensing,

and 4 more

Geoinformatics (GIS),

Geodesy and Surveying,

Bioengineering,

Programming Languages

Apply now

Save job

Share this job

Application instructions

Please send your application via https://forms.gle/MvdaQaahY89dsxFd9

Jobs from this employer

Showing jobs in English

Change settings

Ghent University

Ghent,

Belgium

Scientific Researcher – Chemie (30431)

6-month contract: hot-injection synthesis of colloidal InAsP quantum dots under inert gas; NIR/SWIR spectroscopy; thin-film/photodetector tests. Master’s required.

Published 1 day ago

Closing in: 6 days

Researcher

Ghent University

Ghent,

Belgium

Assistant department Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling (30415)

50% PhD research in statistical design & data integration for environmental science; assist teaching (BSc/MSc). Requires relevant MSc; strong Dutch & English. 2-year renewable.

Published 1 day ago

Closing on: 2026-11-10 (Europe/Brussels)

PhD

Ghent University

Ghent,

Belgium

Teaching assistant Department of General and Applied Psychology (30426)

20% part-time teaching assistant: support seminars/practicals in leadership, teams & motivation; guide/assess students. Requires Master’s in Psychology and strong English.

Published 1 day ago

Closing on: 2026-11-03 (Europe/Brussels)

Research assistant

Ghent University

Ghent,

Belgium

Post-doctoral assistant Department of Movement and Sports Sciences (30418)

2-year 50% postdoc: 70% research (nutrition, metabolism, exercise physiology); teach & supervise BSc/MSc in Dutch. PhD required; publications a plus.

Published 1 day ago

Closing on: 2026-11-03 (Europe/Brussels)

Postdoc

Ghent University

Ghent,

Belgium

Assistant Department of Internal Diseases and Pediatrics (30419)

Renewable 2-year assistantship: PhD research on CAR T-cell therapy for lymphoma (hematology/oncology), plus teaching and departmental services. Master in Medicine required.

Published 1 day ago

Closing on: 2026-11-10 (Europe/Brussels)

PhD

Ghent University

Ghent,

Belgium

Doctoral fellow – Department of Marketing, Innovation and Organisation

4-year fully funded PhD researching daily human-robot teamwork and its impact on well-being/performance. Need relevant Master’s, strong methods (SPSS/R), English & Dutch.

Published 2 days ago

Closing on: 2026-11-18 (Europe/Brussels)

PhD