Research & Teaching Assistant (PhD Candidate) in Neuroscience

Ghent University Global Campus

Ghent University is a pluralistic institution, open to all regardless of ideological, political, cultural, or social background. Our credo is “Dare to Think.” As a top-100 university with more than 49,000 students and 15,000 staff members, we are one of the largest universities in the Dutch-speaking world, located in Flanders, Belgium. Our 11 faculties offer more than 200 programs and conduct in-depth research across a wide range of scientific domains. Several of our research groups, centers, and institutes are internationally renowned in fields such as biotechnology, aquaculture, microelectronics, and history, among others. In 2017, Ghent University celebrated its 200th anniversary. Over the past two centuries, our university has welcomed many eminent scientists, ministers, and even Nobel Prize winners among its staff and alumni.

Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC) is the first European university established in Songdo, South Korea. It offers Bachelor of Science programs in Molecular Biotechnology, Environmental Technology, and Food Technology. The main research areas at GUGC include plant biotechnology, biomedical technology, biotech data science, food technology, and environmental technology.

Please visit the homepage of Ghent University (http://www.ugent.be/en) and Ghent University Global Campus (http://ghent.ac.kr/ | http://www.ugent.be/globalcampus/en) to learn more about our organizations.

Biomedical Research Center (KR01)

The Biomedical Research Center (RC5) is one of the five existing research centers of the Ghent University Global Campus, Korea (https://rc5.ghent.ac.kr/). The Biomedical Research Center (RC5) is dedicated to the study of human brain disorders such as mental disorders and neurodegeneration with the aim of delivering knowledge for better diagnosis and treatment. To sustain and strengthen the teaching, research, and service activities of the Biomedical Research Center (RC5), GUGC is looking for a full-time Research & Teaching assistant (PhD student).

Current research lines with a strong focus are:

• Identification of mechanism of action of antidepressant to treat depression and related psychiatric disorders
• Systemic approaches using -omics technologies to understand interactions between brain and microbiome

Job Summary

Full-Time Research & Teaching Assistant, PhD Candidate – Ghent University Global Campus

Department: Department of Environmental Technology, Food Technology, and Molecular Biotechnology (KR01)

Department: Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology (WE10)

Degree: Master’s degree in one of the following disciplines: Biology, and Biotechnology or a related field

Contract: 1 + 1 + 2 + 2 years, for a total of maximum 6 years (renewal conditional on a positive evaluation)

Occupancy rate: 100%

Vacancy type: Research and Teaching Assistant (PhD Candidate, AAP)

Last application date: Review of applications will begin on Sept 28th, 2026

Starting date: Oct 1, 2026 (open to negotiation)

Scientific supervisor: Prof. Dongik Park

Job Position

Ghent University Global Campus in South Korea has a vacancy for a Research & Teaching Assistant in the field of neuroscience, starting on Oct 1, 2026 (negotiable). This is a one-year full-time position, renewable up to three times (subject to favorable evaluation), for a maximum total duration of six years.

The PhD candidate will be enrolled as a doctoral researcher at the Biomedical Research Center at Ghent University Global Campus in Korea, under the supervision of two to three doctoral advisors. In addition, the candidate will be able to spend time at the home campus in Ghent during his/her PhD studies. For non-Korean applicants, free student accomodation and a yearly travel budget are foreseen. Ghent University Global Campus is an equal opportunities employer.

Job Qualification (Profile of the Candidate)

• You hold from September 2024 (or earlier) a Master of Science degree with strong focus on biology/biotechnology.
• You have a good knowledge of antidepressants, ligand binding assay,  molecular docking and procedures with laboratory animals holding a credential for laboratory animal experiments issued either in South-Korea or Belgium/EU.
• Having practical laboratory experience with performing biological experiments and/or having experience in neuroscience, ligand binding assay and relevant fields is an advantage.
• You have good knowledge and skills regarding biology, and you feel comfortable with wet-lab and mouse experiments.
• You have extensive experience in guiding international background of undergraduate students for practical courses.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. To be eligible, B2 level of English proficiency has to be proved with the language certificate. (https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/requirement/languagerequirements/proficiency)

Prospective students are exempted from the applicable language requirements, if they: 

• hold a diploma of secondary education awarded by (an educational institution that is recognized by) the Flemish Community; 
• hold a higher education diploma awarded by an institution for higher education that is recognized by the Flemish Community; 
• have already passed an English-language study programme, either in secondary education or at another institution for higher education (i.e. the student needs to have obtained 60 credits).

Job Description

• Design and execute research projects investigating the novel targets of antidepressants using ligand-binding assays
• Manage animal facility and Perform animal behavior experiments
• Analyze drug-protein interactions using computational tools
• Present research findings at conferences 
• Prepare practical course materials and involved in teaching in practical courses organized by the research center
• Supervise annual bachelor project as well as occasional internships and master’s theses
• Collaborate with research teams

Selection Criteria

• Scientific background and knowledge
• Educational experience
• Certified experience with laboratory animal experiments

Application Documents

• Motivation letter
• Full CV, including contact details of at least 2 references
• Copy of BSc and MSc degrees
• Transcripts (overview of study results)
• PDF version of your Master’s Thesis
• Language certificate of B2 level English proficiency
• A credential for laboratory animal experiments (certification for laboratory animal science) either from Belgium/EU or South-Korea

The application documents must be merged into a single PDF and emailed to Prof. Dongik Park ([email protected]) with the subject line “Full-time PhD Position in Neuroscience.” Applicants will receive a confirmation email upon receipt.

Application Process and Interview

• Interviews will be conducted in stages, starting from the earliest available time.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply timely, as the position will be filled once a suitable candidate has been identified.

We reserve the right to hold applications on file for future job openings. For inquiries, please contact us via email.

Selection Process

• CV Screening -> Interview -> Internal committee -> Approval -> Acceptance Notice to the candidate selected.

Compensation & Benefits for the Selected Candidate

• Basic terms of the contract
  -1-year contract (renewable, after positive evaluation, for a total period of maximum 6 years).
• Salary
  -Starts from an Annual Base Salary of 27,375,000 KRW (Monthly Salary of 2,281,250 KRW, Gross).
• Bonuses
  -Two additional bonuses in June (92% of monthly salary) and December (100% of monthly salary).
• Severance
  -Severance pay shall be provided upon contract termination, provided that the candidate has worked for more than one year.
• Private health insurance
  -Marsh private health insurance is provided, which covers basic medical reimbursements.
• Annual paid leave and holidays
  -The selected candidate shall have 35 days of paid annual leave per year.
  -Additional holidays: from Christmas (Dec 25) to New Year (Jan 1).

Selection Committee

Prof. Dongik Park
Dr. Dahye Song
Ms. Lauranne Herman