Our established healthcare system is no longer sustainable due to the aging population demographics and the transformation of many fatal disorders into chronic diseases. Preventive healthcare is rising to the challenge of providing early diagnosis and assistance to the risk group populations, effectively allowing individuals to live healthy instead of living with chronic diseases. In this research project we evaluate the dynamics, surrogacy and strengths of several omic technologies to serve as a basis for risk profiles for chronic diseases. For this purpose, within the “I am Frontier” cohort, we are following 30 healthy participants on a monthly basis, which we use to generate different omics data sets including(but not limited to) genomics (Whole Genome Sequencing), epigenetics(Methylation), clinical biomarkers, microbiome, proteomics, and metabolomics. Moreover, we collect information about physiological parameters (heart-rate, sleep patterns …) and lifestyle (activity, food intake, stress, ...) via questionnaires and wearables. This data, used in combination with open science data from a range of diseases, allow us to profile individual risks for the onset of a disease..
The aim of this bioinformatics research project is to put the genomic information layer central to investigate and develop new approaches for utilizing genome data interactions between molecular intermediates, like, e.g., genome–metabolome, genome-proteome and genome-epigenome, that are relevant for the clinical outcome.
The data of the “I am Frontier” cohort can be augmented by publicly available information from different repositories like, the Cancer Genome Atlas, 1000 genomes project, etc. Hence affinity to creating genomics and other omics processing pipelines and workflows is crucial for the success of this project.
An interesting secondary research objective is to evaluate the surrogacy and redundancy in the genomic data when contrasted to other molecular layers. This could be of importance when considering issues related to GDPR.
We are looking for a highly motivated and scientifically excellent candidate in the genomics/bioinformatics background with a problem-solving attitude to work in an international, collegial environment. Strong communication skills complemented with innovative analytical thinking are important assets. This project is a strategical collaboration with VITO and the University of Hasselt and the candidate will be a member of both institutions.
VITO, an independent Flemish research organization, is looking for an experienced data scientist for MONA Health (self employed or on payroll); MONA Health is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated pattern-recognition software, currently under development at VITO, that can detect three different kinds of eye diseases from scanning retinal images: (1) Diabetic Retinopathy, (2) Glaucoma and (3) Aged Macular Degeneration (see www.mona.health). The goal is to spin off MONA from VITO that will commercialize AI based screening programs to detect eye diseases. You will be part of the founding team of this new start up in healthcare using AI to solve one critical challenge: blindness prevention through AI. In the meantime, you will strengthen the data science team of the Health unit which develops applications to detect earlier and better diseases in the context of a preventive health policy. The unit uses analytical technologies such as medical imaging, molecular measurements and mobile sensors to generate data that must be processed into useful information. The end goal? Develop biomarkers for health, pharma and biotech industry (by using artificial intelligence and deep learning).
As a data scientist, you are responsible for the overall development of the solution.
You lead the development of the entire processing chain: from the operational and technical aspects of image acquisition, through pre-processing of data to modelling algorithms.
You are responsible for analysing end user requirements, adapting the application architecture & analysis workflows, and developing improvements and new features to meet these requirements.
You use computer vision techniques, machine learning and deep learning to do image analysis of the retina.
You follow the trends within your field and use this knowledge for the construction of prototypes (data science, machine learning, ...).
As a member of a multidisciplinary team that works on multiple research projects, you make sure that knowledge is transferred to team members.
You contribute to the acquisition of projects by writing tenders and project proposals and you take initiative for combining results in scientific articles and patents.
You present the results of research and projects at (inter)national fora.
The unit Separation- and Conversion Technology (SCT) in VITO develops technologies for the sustainability of production processes in the (bio)chemical sector, replacement of fossil resources by renewable resources as feedstock for the chemical industry, and the treatment of waste streams into high value chemicals.
The synthesis of (semi)aromatic polymers derived from renewable resources is currently attracting tremendous interest from both academia and industry, as aromatic compounds are key intermediates in the manufacture of polymers and chemicals.
VITO is co-initiator of Biorizon, an industry driven Shared Research Center, focusing on technology development for the production of functionalized biobased aromatics for performance materials, chemicals & coatings. As the leading institute, VITO coordinates the development of lignin derived bio-aromatics by its own technology and by collaboration with different technology providers. Lignin is the main source of aromatic bio-based molecules. Various phenols derivatives with a variety of chemical structures can be obtained from lignin deconstruction combined with advanced membrane separation techniques.
VITO has developed a strong expertise in the valorization of biomass through conversion of lignocellulose into value-added lignin fragments and bio-aromatic derivatives. More recently, VITO has also started to develop IP and to demonstrate how these new building blocks could be polymerized into value-added products. Depending on the bio-aromatic substrates obtained from the lignin separation processes, different chemical modifications and polymerization pathways are envisaged and developed, leading to (semi)aromatic polymers that could potentially cover a wide range of industrial applications.
We are looking to recruit one PhD graduate for a 2 years postdoctoral position to work in our lignin-derived polymers program. The work will focus on two aspects:
Synthesis of polymerizable synthons derived from lignin;
Design/characterization of lignin-derived biopolymers such as polyurethanes.
Location
Main location will be the Green Chemistry Campus in Bergen-op-Zoom, The Netherlands with regular trips to VITO’s headquarters in Mol, Belgium
PHD position: Carbonation Curing of Cementitious Systems (C3S): solid-state NMR studies of carbonated recycled concrete
PhD
Description:
A PhD grant is available from November 1st, 2020 or later at iNANO and the Department of Chemistry, the Faculty of Science, Aarhus University, focussing on the potential of using out-sourced concrete to sequester CO2directly from the flue gasses of combustion power plants, cement plants or similar concentrated sources of CO2. VITO is involved in this PhD by the co-promotor Ruben Snellings and as a host institute for a secondment.
Do you like to spend your time as R&D Biostatistician developing and applying biostatistical methods in data science projects? Would you like to do this in the context of sustainable health, where you look for statistical links in data between living environment, lifestyle and health?
VITO is making full use of its research programme 'Sustainable Health' in order to support social transitions to a more preventive health system. We want you as R&D Biostatistician in our team to strengthen our expertise in the field of biostatistics in order to better translate environmental health research into solutions for local, Flemish and European authorities and companies. Would you like to contribute as R&D Biostatistician?
You work closely together with your colleagues to translate the research results of projects into usable models and advice for customers. Your role is, as mentioned before, statistical data processing by developing and applying (and ideally automating) biostatistical methods.
You contribute to the writing of proposals for project funding, under the guidance of more experienced colleagues.
You ensure that knowledge is transferred to colleagues and you present research and project results at (inter)national forums.
You expand your network with research and valorisation partners in order to create new opportunities within the field of preventive health.
SENIOR R&D CONSULTANT INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AND CLIMATE STRATEGIES AND POLICY
Genk
R&D & Engineering
Description:
Our team has a long lasting experience in advising decision makers and governments on their energy and climate policies and strategies. Within the framework of the Paris Climate Agreement, we are accelerating our international ambitions to support developing countries in energy & climate projects. This involves emission stocktaking and developing long term plans, capacity building and effective policies.
Does the above sounds interesting? Are you a dynamic project manager with 10 years experience working in an international context? And perhaps looking for a new challenge? As a senior Project Manager you are responsible for coordinating and conducting large international projects with European and international, local partners and stakeholders.
You advise policy makers operating at international level (focus on Africa, but also active in Latin America), on the development of their national energy and climate strategy in the framework of the post 2020 climate actions.
In cooperation with our business development manager, you will take the lead in writing client offers, research proposals and seeking funding opportunities.
You identify and coordinate international funding and project opportunities and support market engagement to ensure the right project partnerships (including consultants, research groups and local partners) are being set up.
You work in a team of experienced energy experts, and contribute to the further development of optimization and simulation models of the energy system, using internationally developed software such as LEAP, MESSAGE, TIMES, among other tools.
You will interpret the model results and on this basis, formulate scientific recommendations tailored to the client's needs. You will report the research results to our clients (government authorities as well as industry). You will bridge highly advanced scientific results with the client situation, which might sometimes be rather under-developed.
You will continue expanding your knowledge of energy system/strategy/models on the basis of literature, courses and on-the job experience. Within your area of expertise involving energy modelling and ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’, you will be an active follower of the trends and the studies carried out by other consultants, research institutions and universities.
You will work in a team, but will also be responsible for carrying out consultative assignments independently. You will identify routes for new developments, playing an active role in exploring research questions for international decision makers and governments.
The unit Separation- and Conversion Technology (SCT) develops technologies for the sustainability of production processes in the (bio)chemical sector, replacement of fossil resources by renewable resources as feedstock for the chemical industry, and the treatment of waste streams into high value chemicals.
The synthesis of (semi)aromatic polymers derived from renewable resources is currently attracting tremendous interest from both academia and industry, as aromatic compounds are key intermediates in the manufacture of polymers and chemicals.
VITO is co-initiator of Biorizon, an industry driven Shared Research Center, focusing on technology development for the production of functionalized biobased aromatics for performance materials, chemicals & coatings. As the leading institute, VITO coordinates the development of lignin derived bioaromatics by its own technology and by collaboration with different technology providers. Lignin is the main source of aromatic bio-based molecules. Various phenols derivatives with a variety of chemical structures can be obtained from lignin deconstruction combined with advanced membrane separation techniques.
Up to now, VITO has developed a strong expertise in the valorization of biomass through conversion of lignocellulose into value-added lignin fragments and bio-aromatic derivatives. Our next goal is to develop IP and demonstrate how these new building blocks could be polymerized into value-added products. Depending on the phenol substrates obtained from the lignin separation processes, different chemical modifications and polymerization pathways will be envisaged and developed, leading to (semi)aromatic polymers covering a wide range of industrial applications.
We are looking to recruit a PhD graduate for a postdoc position in (bio)polymer chemistry to work in our lignin-derived polymers program.
The main tasks of the candidate will be to: • Synthesize polymerizable synthons derived from lignin fragments; • Design co-polymers from these functionalized lignin monomers; • Contribute to the structure-properties characterization of the obtained materials.
The unit Separation- and Conversion Technology (SCT) develops technologies for the sustainability of production processes in the (bio)chemical sector, replacement of fossil resources by renewable resources as feedstock for the chemical industry, and the treatment of waste streams into high value chemicals. The synthesis of (semi)aromatic polymers derived from renewable resources is currently attracting tremendous interest from both academia and industry, as aromatic compounds are key intermediates in the manufacture of polymers and chemicals. VITO is co-initiator of Biorizon, an industry driven Shared Research Center, focusing on technology development for the production of functionalized biobased aromatics for performance materials, chemicals & coatings. As the leading institute, VITO coordinates the development of lignin derived bioaromatics by its own technology and by collaboration with different technology providers. Lignin is the main source of aromatic bio-based molecules. Various phenols derivatives with a variety of chemical structures can be obtained from lignin deconstruction combined with advanced membrane separation techniques. Up to now, VITO has developed a strong expertise in the valorization of biomass through conversion of lignocellulose into value-added lignin fragments and bio-aromatic derivatives. Our next goal is to develop IP and demonstrate how these new building blocks could be polymerized into value-added products. Depending on the phenol substrates obtained from the lignin separation processes, different chemical modifications and polymerization pathways will be envisaged and developed, leading to (semi)aromatic polymers covering a wide range of industrial applications. We are looking to recruit one PhD graduate for a senior polymer chemist to work in our lignin-derived polymers program.
The main tasks of the candidate will be to: • Synthesize polymerizable synthons derived from lignin fragments; • Design co-polymers from these functionalized lignin monomers; • Contribute to the structure-properties characterization of the obtained materials.
VITO is a leading research center in Flanders (Belgium) in the field of technology development for sustainable processes. The Unit of Separation and Conversion Technology (SCT), has a strong focus on innovative routes for chemical processes. VITO’s electrochemistry team has a unique expertise in designing, developing and testing components for advanced electrochemical syntheses.
We develop electrochemical routes for the production of biobased molecules, ammonia and carbon based products from CO2. These developments will allow to power industrial processes directly by renewable energy.
The researchers will compliment the team consisting of professors, permanent researchers, engineers, technicians, and fellow postdoctoral investigators.
You will be dedicatedly working electrocatalyst development to enable new conversions.
You will work advertently towards the project goals, taking responsibility for high quality results and in depth analysis, defining and addressing precise scientific questions.
You will perform lab work, by designing correct experiments and analyse data and develop new scientific hypotheses to test.
You will work in an international team and context.
VITO's Remote Sensing unit develops and operates innovative Earth Observation systems that help to monitor and understand some of the major social and economic challenges our planet is facing. For this we work with systems that acquire data from satellites, manned aviation and drones.
We are looking for a Software Engineer to join us in developing robust and scalable data processing systems for Earth Observation. A typical processing system starts from raw sensor data acquired by a satellite or drone and converts it into value-added information while a combination of image processing and machine learning techniques are applied. The processing systems can be deployed on dedicated hardware or on various cloud environments.
As a software developer / designer you will:
Create production software components, analytics applications and data visualization
Work together with architects, subject matter experts and product owners
EnergyVille is a collaboration between the Flemish research partners VITO, KU Leuven, imec and UHasselt in the field of sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. VITO is looking for an excellent researcher to add competence to the interdisciplinary energy market team (economics, business administration, applied mathematics, electrical & mechanical engineering).
You will be involved in several research and consultancy projects as expert on modelling and assessment of energy markets including e.g. clearing mechanism, product system, spatial and temporal organization. Concrete, the markets in scope cover electricity extended to multi-carrier markets for gas and heat: from day-ahead markets to real-time balancing including system services. You will model markets as mathematical problems formulated as optimization problems, and also as games capturing market participant behavior. Modelling language include Python and Julia. You will be based in VITO/EnergyVille in Thor Park Genk, Belgium.
As Expert Energy market modelling, you will
Collaborate within the energy market team on varied projects.
Develop and assess new concepts for energy markets and products, and create insights on innovative market design for all the involved stakeholders in the energy landscape.
Formulate mathematical problems for different (multi-carrier) energy market designs applying optimization and game theory, optionally including the individual decision-making of market participants.
Implement and develop solutions/algorithms for the formulated problems in Python/Julia using mathematical solvers.
Translate your findings in relevant policy and strategy advise to relevant stakeholders including regulators, policy makers, system operators and industry.
Contribute to writing (parts of) project proposals and offers to tenders.
Manage defined tasks and budget related to your area of expertise.
PHD POSITION 3D STRUCTURED SORBENTS FOR METAL RECOVERY FROM LIQUID STREAMS.
Mol
PhD
Description:
Within the Unit of Sustainable Materials Management, there are ongoing research projects on the production and use of structured sorbent materials, e. g. porous microspheres or coatings, focusing on closing materials cycle. One of the tracks of the KMP (Ceramic Materials and Powder Metallurgy) team is the separation of valuables such as rare earth elements (REE) and precious or critical metals.
Different liquid streams may be identified, such as polluted waters or complex low grade industrial waste streams, on which adsorption using tailored sorbents is the most applicable technology. These are complex streams which different characteristics. For example, industrial wastewaters released in the environment having mild pH (~6 - 8), while complex hydrometallurgical leachates are characterized high pH (>12). Therefore, for their application, the sorbents have to be developed to address needs related not only with their sorption features (capacity, kinetics, selectivity) but also to meet requirements related with mechanical and chemical stability.
The PhD aims at the development of 3D structured sorbent materials with innovative composition for the removal of toxic heavy metals or separation and recovery of critical and economically valuable metals from complex liquid streams with pH ranging from neutral to highly alkaline values (>12).
The research will be conducted mainly from powder to structured materials, with focus on structural related aspects (for enhanced sorption properties and material stability under the (harsh) experimental conditions, e. g. high alkalinity) as well as architectural related aspects (enable ease of handling and lowering pressure drop).
For this project, we collaborate with the University of Antwerp (LADCA) on the basis of the granted joint patent on the production of sorbent materials for adsorption of metal oxyanions (e.g. chromates) (WO2019122398).
Collaboration with University of Antwerp Registration deadline: 21/08/2020
POSTDOC DEVELOPMENT OF MICROFLUIDIC-BASED ROUTE FOR MATERIAL SYNTHESIS
Mol
Postdoc
Description:
VITO is a a leading European independent research in the areas of cleantech and sustainable development. Its research programme ‘Sustainable Materials Management’ has the ambition to accelerate the transition to a more circular economy from a materials perspective. One of our core research activities is the development of technologies for shaping powders into added value products (granulates, microspheres, 3D-structures, foams,…) for use in different industrial applications, like separation of valuable compounds, advanced catalyst materials and energy storage. Recently we invested in our technology platform to broaden the range of material compositions and architectures. The use of flow reactors for chemical applications has become a fast growing area for a wide range of reaction types. The control over fluid dynamics is outstanding in microreactors enabling the construction of highly precise controlled architectures such as spherical particles. As a post-doctoral fellow you will take an important role in the implementation of the technology for the development of uniformly shaped (hybrid) ceramic particles. The key challenges for material synthesis using a droplet micro reactor are the chemistry of the starting composition and the optimisation of the flow conditions. Particularly of interest is the use of sol-gel based systems, since they allow the synthesis of micro sized particles (1-100 µm). Flow environments (time, flow rate, pH, temperature) and junction size are the main parameters to control the droplet size and the synthesis chemistry of the final particles. In our two year post-doctoral research project we will focus on the development of novel material concepts for metal scavengers and chromatography. A well equipped lab is available for the full material characterization.
PHD POSITION IN XOMICS DATA ANALYSES AND INTEGRATION IN PRECISION HEALTH
Mol
PhD
Description:
Our established healthcare system is no longer sustainable due to the aging population demographics and the transformation of many fatal disorders into chronic diseases. Preventive healthcare is rising to the challenge of providing early diagnosis and assistance to the risk group populations, effectively allowing individuals to live healthy instead of living with chronic diseases. Within the “I am Frontier” cohort, we are following 30 healthy participants on a monthly basis, which we use to generate different omics data sets including (but not limited to) genomics (Whole Genome Sequencing), epigenetics (Methylation), clinical biomarkers, microbiome, proteomics and metabolomics. Moreover, we collect information about physiological parameters (heart rate, sleep patterns …) and lifestyle (activity, food intake,stress, ...) via questionnaires and wearables. This data, used in combination with data from a range of disease, profiles allow us to calculate individual risk profiles for a range of diseases.
The aim of this bioinformatics project is to develop new approaches to data integration, analysis and visualization in high-dimensional cross -omics datasets. Beginning with genomics, epigenetics, proteomics, metabolomic and microbiome data generated on samples from the I am cohort, the Ph.D. candidate will develop methods to discover the relationships across these datasets, identify relevant patterns in the data and relate these to available public databases. Moreover, those data can also be correlated to a wide range of clinical parameters as well as data obtained using activity trackers.
We are looking for a highly motivated and scientifically excellent candidate in genomics/bioinformatics background with a problem-solving attitude to work in an international, collegial environment. Strong communication skills complemented with innovative and analytical thinking are important assets.
