The University of Aruba, in collaboration with KU Leuven (Belgium), and facilitated with funding from the European Development Fund (EDF), is seeking to expand its research and teaching capacity in bio-environmental engineering, technology, engineering, informatics, and data sciences. In 2019 the curriculum of the new academic bachelor in sciences, technology, and engineering and mathematics (STEM) opened its doors and will graduate its first bachelors in 2022. This three-year program consists of a 180 European credits program with a focus on sustainable development in small island states. A 90 credit master program will start in 2022. For this new STEM sciences program, the University of Aruba has started with the education and research training of the new academic staff needed to provide this program and is looking for a PhD student for the project Bioactive compounds of Aruban flora in the position of:
JUNIOR RESEARCHER (1,0 fte)
In the framework of a European funded project, SISSTEM, the Faculty of Arts & Sciences at the University of Aruba and the Department of Chemistry – Molecular Design and Synthesis at the University of Leuven are currently looking for an outstanding PhD student (Junior Researcher) to study bio-active characteristics of Aruban flora and assist with the startup of a Bachelor in Small Island Solutions in Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (SISSTEM). Familiarity with the challenges of small island states is considered an asset but is not compulsory.
The research focuses on Aruban plants that contain bioactive compounds that may be further developed into medicinally relevant compounds. In the first stage of the project, folk medicine may be a lead to select the Aruban plants of which extracts will be made. Extracts will have to be investigated for bioactivity and fractionated into single compounds. The KU Leuven Department of Chemistry can contribute, with its state-of-the-art spectroscopic equipment, in the structure elucidation of the compounds, and also participate in the design and synthesis of structural analogs of the lead natural products. The biological properties (e.g. antiviral, anticancer) could be tested in collaboration with the Rega Institute.
We are looking for a highly motivated and scientifically excellent candidate in chemistry with a problem-solving attitude to work in a collegial environment pervaded with intellectual rigor. Strong communication skills complemented with innovative and analytical thinking are important assets. Applicants must hold a MSc with a strong chemistry component, including Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or Environmental Sciences of an accredited university, have an affinity with sustainable development through sciences and engineering, and have the ambition to contribute to sustainable development. The candidate should be able to contribute to undergraduate chemistry teaching at the University of Aruba and should have at least an elementary knowledge of organic chemistry, separation techniques, and spectroscopic identification of organic compounds. Candidates should at least have a Master's degree with distinction or a Master's degree with a scientific publication in an international peer-reviewed journal. The individual we are looking for will spend most of his/her time at the University of Aruba and about 3 months per year at the Department of Chemistry of the KU Leuven. The successful applicant is expected to assist with teaching and mentoring of students, and therefore should be fluent in English.
Candidates will be registered as research students of KU Leuven and receive excellent educational training and coaching as well as research training and supervision by both KU Leuven (Department of Chemistry: https://chem.kuleuven.be/en) associated to the Rega Institute (https://rega.kuleuven.be/) and the University of Aruba (https://www.ua.aw/sisstem/). Candidates will spend the majority of their time at the University of Aruba, who will offer you an exciting new opportunity for a four-year contract, on the condition that the research proposal is approved in the first year. The contract provides an attractive benefits package including APFA pension, additional health insurance, and a competitive wage. After successful completion of the PhD program, junior researchers are eligible for senior academic positions in the program.
Interested? Submit through the Apply button on the right your motivation letter (max. 1 page), resume (max. 2 pages), a scientific achievements track-record (max. 2 pages), PDF-scans of your diplomas and transcripts of academic records, and attestation of the level of English, and three names of referees, before Monday, September 21, 2020.
If you need further information regarding the position, please contact us at stem@ua.aw and/or prof. Wim Dehaen, phone: +32 16327439, wim.dehaen@kuleuven.be. One (or more) job interviews, a medical exam, an assessment test, and a certificate of good conduct are in accordance with our rules of application and a standard part of our recruitment and selection procedure.
Candidates with a demonstrated strong affinity for Aruba and the Caribbean and for challenges in small island states are strongly encouraged to apply, but this link is not mandatory for the position.