Postdoc in Recycling solutions for mixed waste streams of PET and biodegradable polyesters

19 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Maastricht University (UM)

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

4 Feb 2024 - 22:59 (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

The Circular Plastics research group at Maastricht University is looking for a highly motivated postdoc to join our team in understanding and developing solutions for recycling of PET/biodegradable polyester blends.
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is extensively used to produce food and beverage packaging products and it is one of the most successfully recycled plastic materials. Other polyesters, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), have gained popularity in packaging due to their biodegradability. However, these biodegradable polyesters are thermodynamically immiscible with PET and, when unintentionally mixed with PET, deteriorate the properties of the recycled material, compromising PET recycling.

As a postdoc, you will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Prepare PET/biodegradable polyester blends.
• Identify limiting factors for the recyclability of these blends such as maximum contaminant content.
• Evaluate the thermal(oxidative) degradation behaviour, rheological properties, and mechanical performance of the blends.
• Assess the role of chemical modifiers in the recyclability and post-condensation of PET and its blends.
• Study the separation of PET from other polyesters via selective solvency.
• Write manuscripts and funding proposals.
• Present the research results.
• Support teaching activities.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

You are self-motivated, autonomous, open-minded, hands-on, and communicative, with good interpersonal skills, and interested in working in an international research environment.

Furthermore, the requisites for this position are:

• You hold a PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Chemistry, Material Physics, Chemical Engineering, etc.
• Expressive experience and deep understanding of the main physicochemical characterization techniques such as DSC, TGA, FTIR, GPC, rheology, SEM, WAXS, and AFM.
• Ability to plan and conduct activities in the lab, such as polymer processing, chemical reactions, and physicochemical analysis, following all the safety regulations.
• Previous experience with thermoplastic polyesters is an asset.
• Fluency in English (written and oral).
• Scientific approach.

Additional Information
Benefits

What we offer
As Postdoc at the The Faculty of Science and Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3226,00 and €5090,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 24 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.
  The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here .

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.

Additional comments

Curious?

Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Rudinei Fiorio at [email protected] for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoc? Apply now, no later than February 4th 2024 for this position.

The first interviews preferably take place on February 14th 2024. The second interviews will preferably be held on February 28th 2024.

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.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/336772/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Maastricht University

Country

Netherlands

City

Sittard-Geleen

Postal Code

6167RD

Street

Urmonderbaan 22

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/336772/postdoc-in-recycling-solutions-for-m…

Contact

City

Maastricht

Website

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

Street

Minderbroedersberg 4

Postal Code

6211 LK

STATUS: EXPIRED