Post-doc candidate: synthesis and evaluation of biobased dynamic networks (project TotallyNuts)

16 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Maastricht University (UM)

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

4 Jun 2023 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

This project is part of the project Totally Nuts with 8 partners from both the public and the private sector.

Totally Nuts focuses on a number of specific parts, but ultimately covers the entire production chain that can be made from the cashew nut shell residue. Thus, the pyrolysis process will be optimized for the effective production of cashew nut shell liquid. The cardanol in the CNSL is then purified and modified to make the recyclable biobased thermosets.

Finally, the biocomposite of the biobased thermoset with the added biocarbon will be extensively tested. A technical-economic and sustainability analysis is made of this entire process, which provides insight into how to further optimize the process in the future.

The task of Maastricht University is to make cardanol based, recyclable thermosets (e.g. epoxy) for coatings, adhesives/sealants and composites. The role of the post-doc will be the synthesis and design of resins, as well as the chemical and physical polymer characterization. Recyclability of the thermosets will be obtained by the introduction of dynamic bonds and their dynamic behavior will be studied. The post-doc will work closely together with academic and industrial project partners in the consortium. Samples will be upscaled for the testing by the industrial partners. Based on their feedback, the synthesis work will be tuned.

The post-doc will be appointed at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials of Maastricht University, which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. You will work in the Sustainable Polymer Synthesis group of Associate Professor Katrien Bernaerts, which focusses on the synthesis and design of polymer materials with tunable properties and recyclability exploiting the functionality of biobased building blocks. You will operate from the Brightlands-Chemelot Campus in Geleen (Nl), where the labs are located.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• holds a PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related fields;
• has skills in polymer synthesis and characterization. Experience with dynamic networks is a pro;
• has a strong interest to investigate structure-property relationships of the synthesized thermosets for coating, adhesive/sealant and composite applications;
• is open to scale up polymers for application tests by industrial project partners;
• the candidate is expected to stay abreast of the recent literature (publications and patents) in the field of recyclable thermosets, develop research ideas and valorized the research in the form of patents and research papers;
• likes to interact with academic and industrial partners;
• is result driven, inventive, creative, counts with potential impact, works ‘accountable’ and works with ownership;
• masters scientific English for speaking, reading, and writing. Knowledge of Dutch is not required.

Additional Information
Benefits

• The full-time position is offered for 2 years.
• The start of the post-doc is foreseen for September 1, 2023.
• The salary will be set in post-doc salary scale 11 of the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities (between €3,974 and €5,439 gross per month depending on the level of experience).
• On top of this, there is an 8% holiday and an 8.3% year-end allowance.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl  > About UM > Working at UM.

Selection process

To apply, please submit:

• Cover letter including your motivation, your relevant experience (referring to the “description of the candidate”, above);
• CV;
• Names and contact data of two people who could provide a reference;
• Diplomas/degrees including a grade transcript of previous education.

We will recruit until the position is filled. The selection process commences immediately, but will close when a suitable candidate has been found, even if this prior to the final date of the application window.

Send your application, stating the vacancy number AT2023.226 by email to:
[email protected]

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

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Additional comments

For further information about this position you can contact:
Katrien Bernaerts, Associate Professor Sustainable Polymer Synthesis
(T+31 43 388 2636).

If interested, use the 'apply now’ button on this page to see the application procedure.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/327776/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Maastricht University

Country

Netherlands

City

Geleen

Postal Code

6167 RD

Street

Urmonderbaan 22

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/327776/post-doc-candidate-synthesis-and-evalua…

Contact

City

Maastricht

Website

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

Street

Minderbroedersberg 4

Postal Code

6211 LK

STATUS: EXPIRED