Doctoral fellow - Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials

Last application date Sep 30, 2026 23:59

Department TW14 - Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials

Degree MSc degree in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Risk engineering, or similar

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent 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 TASKS

Project title: MULTI-HAZARD STRUCTURAL DESIGN UNDER FIRE AND BLAST: SYNERGIES, TRADE-OFFS AND RISK-INFORMED OPTIMISATION

This PhD project focuses on understanding synergies and trade-offs in designing civil engineering structures exposed to fire, blast, and multi-hazard fire-blast scenarios. Particular attention will be given to the effect of geometry (at compartment and component scale) on multi-hazard performance. A combined numerical and experimental approach will be adopted, exploiting testing facilities available at the two institutions (e.g. furnaces at ULiège, radiant panel at UGent) and at partner institutions. Predictive models with quantified uncertainty will be developed and validated, together with probabilistic consequence models to support risk-based decision-making. A structural optimisation framework will ultimately identify design choices that best balance performance across individual and combined hazard scenarios.

The project is developed under the supervision of Prof Andrea Franchini (ULiège) and Prof Ruben Van Coile (UGent). An advisory board will also be established. 

This research will lead to a Joint PhD degree from ULiège and UGent.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold an MSc degree in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Risk engineering, or similar
• You have experience with (or you should demonstrate the capability to learn): (i) fire and/or blast science and engineering; (ii) structural dynamics; (iii) finite element modelling; (iv) probabilistic methods in engineering
• You are curious, organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable taking ownership of your research direction
• You have strong interpersonal and communication skills (including excellent written and spoken English), enjoy working with others, and contribute to a positive team atmosphere

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We 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 31/12/2027 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: https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/welcoming-new-staff/salaryscales
• 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: https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/considering

INTERESTED?

Applications to be sent by mail to [email protected] (mail subject: “Prospective PhD Student Fire and Blast - Name Surname”). Your full application should include (in single file pdf file):

• Full CV
• Transcript of records (translated in English, if the original is not in French, Dutch or English)
• Motivation letter explaining (with examples) why your experience, research interest, and career plans make you the best candidate for this position (max 1 page)
• 2 recommendation letters
• 2 references (previous supervisors or lecturers who can be contacted to elaborate on their experiences working with you)
• English language certificate / IELTS score