Permanent scientific position (full-time) in the field of "Intelligent Monitoring of Metabolites...

A position of first assistant, in the field of Intelligent Monitoring of Metabolites from Plant Resources, attached to the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech Faculty (single department).

Green chemistry is a sector of the chemical sciences, with social, economic and industrial components, aiming to produce new eco-efficient solutions for humankind and society, as partial or total alternatives to conventional fossil resources. Green chemistry is therefore a progressive paradigm shift in the practice of chemical sciences, with a desire to position the environment, safety and human health as pillars for reflection and action. Green chemistry addresses the drivers of development, whether these be in the materials, health or energy sectors, as highlighted in the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 goals. It is also a theme that has been identified as a priority in the European Commission’s agenda (H2020 and BBI), as well as in the Walloon Government’s recovery plan.

Teaching activities include the coordination and supervision of practical work sessions in chemistry (Master’s level bioengineering or towards the end of the Bachelor’s bioengineering programme in the Chemistry Bio-industries stream), in a balanced way for both the CABS and SMARTECH Faculty areas. Teaching will particularly relate to providing support to the practical teaching of the following courses: CHIM0722 (extraction, purification, characterisation of biosourced molecules), CHIM9254-1 and CHIM9254-2 (Practice of natural products chemistry), CHIM9269 (Catalysis) and MICA0008 (Flavour analysis). The successful candidate will also be involved in the supervision of the European Master in Biological and Chemical Engineering for a Sustainable Bioeconomy (BIOCEB ) and the international university European Hub for Essential Oils (EOHUB) certificate. On a more occasional basis, the candidate may back-up the teaching team for Bachelor’s chemistry courses (e.g.: practical part of the CHIM9255 course).

Research activities focus on green chemistry and more particularly the exploitation of primary metabolites by innovative processes for the production of energy, biofuels, energy carriers, new materials, and molecules. This platform is part of ULIEGE’s “locomotive themes” in connection with the Strategic Innovation Areas as validated by the Walloon Government. In addition to primary plant metabolites, numerous uses of which are mentioned above, plants are also an under-exploited source of secondary metabolites, the structural diversity of which opens up equally diverse fields of application. Of these, their use in agronomy meets a strong societal expectation to replace conventional phytosanitary treatments based on chemical synthesis from fossil resources with bio-based products, particularly plant-based products, or new agricultural practices. Secondary plant metabolites, either through their direct biocidal activities, through the stimulation of natural plant defences (e.g. elicitation), or through chemical communication mechanisms (e.g. allelopathy) meet these expectations. Prior to the rational use of these primary and secondary plant metabolites, a detailed characterisation of the plant resource is essential. This is the context for this permanent scientific position.

The successful candidate will be expected to carry out specific innovative research aimed at developing intelligent monitoring of metabolites in the broad sense (whether primary or secondary) contained in plant resources in relation to the above-mentioned non-food applications.

Community activities include facilitating the scientific aspects associated with setting up a collaborative, unique and synergistic facility to enable the characterisation and monitoring of molecules contained in plant resources with a view to their subsequent use by various teams associated with the FoodIsLife, AgricultureIsLife and ForestIsLife Research and Teaching Support Units (CAREs). This support structure will be integrated into the infrastructure of the TERRA Research Unit. The successful candidate will also be involved at the faculty level in activities to promote courses to secondary school pupils and Bachelor’s students looking to study for a Master’s degree at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (secondary schools, student fairs, open days, etc.).

Other community service activities will be determined in consultation with senior staff.