PhD Scholarship in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Antwerp, Belgium
The University of Antwerp is inviting applications for a full-time Doctoral Scholarship Holder in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology within the Department of Bioscience Engineering. The position offers an opportunity to pursue doctoral research in the broad field of Bioscience Engineering, with research topics spanning microbiology, biotechnology, human health, microbiomes, probiotics, bioinformatics and environmental applications.
The scholarship is initially offered for one year, with the planned start date of 15 November 2026. The successful candidate will be expected to actively compete for additional external doctoral funding to support the continuation of the PhD project. The application deadline is 13 August 2026 at midnight Brussels time.
PhD Research in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
The doctoral position is based within the Laboratory of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (LAMB) at the University of Antwerp. The research group works across several areas of modern microbiology and biotechnology, creating opportunities for candidates with different scientific backgrounds. Potential research directions include:
- Applied microbiology and biotechnology
- Human microbiome research
- Urban health
- Probiotics and live biotherapeutics
- Fermented foods
- Women’s and children’s health
- Microbiomes associated with nature-based solutions
- Green infrastructure and environmental microbiology
- Genetic engineering of microorganisms
- Mucosal immunology
- Bacteriophages
- Bioremediation
- Microbial bioinformatics
The position is therefore suitable for candidates interested in both fundamental biological mechanisms and applied biotechnology research.
Research Group: Laboratory of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
The doctoral researcher will work under the supervision of a professor affiliated with the LAMB research group. The research team includes:
- Prof. Sarah Lebeer
- Prof. Irina Spacova
- Prof. Dieter Vandenheuvel
The group brings together research approaches from microbiology, biotechnology, health sciences, microbial engineering and computational biology. Importantly, the vacancy welcomes candidates with either a laboratory-based background or a bioinformatics background. This makes the position potentially attractive to applicants who specialize in experimental microbiology as well as those whose expertise is primarily computational.
What Will the PhD Researcher Do?
The successful candidate will actively contribute to the development and completion of a doctoral research project.
Develop a Research Plan
The researcher will work with their supervisor or supervisors to develop a research plan and establish appropriate research methods. The position also involves handling the administrative requirements necessary for progressing successfully through the PhD programme.
Conduct Independent Research
The doctoral researcher will conduct high-quality research efficiently and according to appropriate scientific standards. Depending on the research project, some research activities may take place abroad.
Present Research Findings
The PhD researcher will report progress to supervisors and relevant committees and present research findings at scientific conferences. This provides valuable experience in academic communication and international scientific networking.
Publish Scientific Articles
The candidate will be expected to publish research findings in scientific journals related to the doctoral project.
Contribute to Existing Research
In addition to their primary doctoral research, the researcher will make scientific contributions to other research projects or research lines within and beyond their own PhD topic.
Teaching and Service Activities
A limited amount of teaching, research and service support will be undertaken within the Department of Bioscience Engineering.
Who Can Apply?
The University of Antwerp is looking for highly motivated candidates with a strong academic record and an interest in applied microbiology or biotechnology.
Academic Background
Applicants should hold a:
- Master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering
- Master’s degree in a related engineering or science discipline
- Master’s degree relevant to one of the research lines within the department
Candidates who will complete their Master’s degree before the start of the scholarship are also eligible to apply.
Laboratory or Bioinformatics Background
One of the notable features of this vacancy is that the research group welcomes candidates from different methodological backgrounds.
Applicants may have experience in:
Experimental Microbiology
This could include:
- Microbial culture
- Molecular biology
- Microbial genetics
- Microbiological assays
- Microorganism engineering
- Biotechnology laboratory techniques
Bioinformatics
Alternatively, candidates may have experience in:
- Biological data analysis
- Microbiome data
- Sequencing data
- Computational biology
- Genomics
- Statistical analysis
- Bioinformatics workflows
The key requirement is a strong interest in a research topic connected to at least one of the LAMB research areas.
External PhD Funding Requirement
An important aspect of this position is the expectation that the successful candidate will actively compete for additional research funding. The candidate is expected to demonstrate willingness to pursue external doctoral fellowships, such as Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) PhD fellowships. This means applicants should be prepared to develop a competitive research proposal and participate in future funding applications with their supervisor. Applicants should therefore make their interest in securing external doctoral funding clear in their application.
Candidate Profile
Successful applicants should demonstrate:
- Excellent academic performance
- Strong motivation for doctoral research
- Interest in applied microbiology and biotechnology
- Ability to work independently
- Strong scientific communication skills
- Willingness to compete for external research funding
- Commitment to research quality and integrity
- Creativity and problem-solving ability
- Collaborative working style
- Fluency in spoken and written English
The university also expects candidates to align with its educational and research policies.
PhD Scholarship Details
The position offers:
Position: Doctoral Scholarship Holder in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Department: Department of Bioscience Engineering
Employment: Full-time
Initial scholarship duration: 1 year
Start date: 15 November 2026
Location: Groenenborger Campus, Antwerp, Belgium
The monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the applicable scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for contract research staff, known in Dutch as Bijzonder Academisch Personeel (BAP).
Benefits for Doctoral Researchers
The University of Antwerp provides doctoral researchers with access to a range of professional and employment benefits. These include:
- Access to doctoral training through the Antwerp Doctoral School
- A broad selection of professional development courses
- Educational credit
- Ecocheques
- Internet-connectivity allowance
- Bicycle allowance
- Full reimbursement of public transportation costs for commuting, where applicable
- A dynamic research environment at Groenenborger Campus
The doctoral training programme can help researchers develop both scientific expertise and transferable skills relevant to academic and non-academic careers. This doctoral scholarship is particularly interesting for graduates who want to work at the intersection of microbiology, biotechnology, human health, environmental science and computational biology.
The broad research portfolio of the LAMB group means that candidates may be able to develop projects around emerging areas such as microbiome science, probiotics, microbial engineering, bacteriophages or environmental biotechnology. The position also offers an important career-development opportunity because the successful candidate will be expected to actively pursue external PhD funding.
About the University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is a major European university with more than 20,000 students and over 6,000 employees representing approximately 100 countries. The university combines research-intensive academic programmes with international collaboration and engagement with society. Its Faculty of Science and Department of Bioscience Engineering provide an interdisciplinary environment for research in biotechnology, biological sciences and engineering. The university has also received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award, recognizing its approach to supporting researchers and research careers.
Inclusive Academic Environment
The University of Antwerp places considerable emphasis on diversity, equal opportunities and inclusion. The university describes itself as a sustainable and family-friendly organization that invests in employee development. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their application through the University’s online job application platform. The following documents are required:
- Motivation letter
- Academic CV
- Statement confirming your willingness to actively compete for additional research funding
- APPLY NOW
The absence of any required attachment may result in exclusion from the selection procedure. Applications submitted by email will not be considered. For questions concerning the application system, applicants can contact:
For questions about the doctoral position and research project:
Prof. Sarah Lebeer
sarah.lebeer@uantwerpen.be
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
13 August 2026 at midnight Brussels time
Applicants should submit their complete application before the deadline.
The selection committee will begin reviewing applications as soon as possible after the closing date.
Interview Date
Preselected candidates will be interviewed on:
16 September 2026, morning — Antwerp time
The selection committee is only able to meet at this time, so applicants should reserve this date if they apply. In-person attendance is preferred, although an online interview can be arranged if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a fully funded PhD position?
The vacancy provides a one-year doctoral scholarship. The successful candidate is expected to actively compete for additional external doctoral funding to continue and develop the PhD project.
How long is the initial scholarship?
The initial scholarship period is one year.
Can the PhD continue beyond one year?
The position specifically expects the candidate to compete for additional funding, including external doctoral fellowships such as FWO PhD fellowships. Continued doctoral research will therefore depend on successful funding.
What is the start date?
The planned start date is 15 November 2026.
What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 13 August 2026 at midnight Brussels time.
What fields of research are covered?
Potential research areas include human microbiomes, probiotics, live biotherapeutics, fermented foods, women’s and children’s health, urban health, microbial genetic engineering, mucosal immunology, bacteriophages, nature-based solution microbiomes and bioremediation.
Can bioinformatics graduates apply?
Yes. The research group explicitly welcomes candidates with either a laboratory background or a bioinformatics background.
What degree do I need?
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering, a related engineering or science discipline, or another Master’s degree relevant to the department’s research areas.
Students completing their Master’s degree before the scholarship begins may also apply.
Do I need previous microbiology laboratory experience?
The vacancy welcomes both laboratory and bioinformatics candidates. Relevant research experience can strengthen an application, but the position is designed around a broad range of research backgrounds.
Do I have to apply for additional funding?
Yes. A willingness to actively compete for additional research funding is an explicit expectation of the position.
Applicants must include a statement confirming this willingness with their application.
What external funding could I apply for?
The announcement specifically mentions FWO PhD fellowships, including fellowships for strategic basic research and fundamental research.
The vacancy also refers to potential FWO fellowships for 2027.
Is English proficiency required?
Yes. Candidates must be fluent in English, both orally and in writing.
What documents are required?
You must submit:
- A motivation letter
- Academic CV
- Statement confirming your willingness to compete for additional research funding
Is there an interview?
Yes. Preselected candidates will be interviewed on 16 September 2026 in the morning, Antwerp time.
In-person participation is preferred, but an online interview can be arranged where necessary.
Where is the position based?
The researcher will primarily work at Groenenborger Campus, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
Are there benefits beyond the scholarship?
Yes. Doctoral researchers have access to doctoral training and educational credits through the Antwerp Doctoral School. Other benefits include ecocheques, an internet-connectivity allowance and bicycle or public transport support for commuting.
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