Postdoctoral Fellowship - Scion

About Scion & VITO

Scion is a Crown Research Institute that specialises in scientific research and technology development for the forestry, wood products, wood-derived materials, and other biomaterial sectors. We are one of New Zealand's leading research and development organizations where we are home to morethan 300 science and support staff on our two main campuses in Rotorua and Christchurch. Rotorua is a tourism mecca for international and domestic visitors alike. Set against the towering backdrop of Whakarewarewa Forest (known fondly by locals as The Redwoods) is the main campus of Scion. 

VITO, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (www.vito.be ), is an independent research organisation with a staff of approximately 760 employees. It implements customer-oriented research and develops innovative products and processes for both the public and private sector in the areas of chemistry, materials, environment, energy, and health. The multidisciplinary skills and technological know-how of VITO's employees make this organisation a crossroads of research & development, where state-of-the-art technologies are successfully blended into practical applications.

The Role

An exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Fellowship is available for a skilled chemist to undertake research for a full time 2-year fixed-term position. The first year will be with VITO in Boeretang, Belgium commencing 2nd September 2024 and the second with Scion in Rotorua. The aim of this joint Scion/VITO Postdoctoral project is to prepare and evaluate the performance of novel thermoplastic and thermoset sustainable polymers derived from lignin. Following established protocols, lignin oils prepared using processes developed at VITO, will be derivatised to form starting materials for functional polymers. These will then be reacted using a variety of methods to synthesise novel types of bio-based macromolecular materials. The resulting products are promising candidates for the substitution of fossil-derived plastics due to their benign and facile end-of-life degradation and sourcing from renewable feedstocks. Their performance will be tested for applications in the areas of 3D printing and biomaterial composites. With your exceptional organisational skills, you will develop and optimise experimental methods including preparation, purification, and characterisation of depolymerised lignin. Additionally, you will interpret results providing oral and written progress reports to Scion and VITO.

You will be supported by a team with expertise in lignin chemistry, polymer chemistry and formulation, and materials science. This unique opportunity will provide you with internationally recognised skills and knowledge in the field of sustainable chemistry and processing for value-added biomaterials that will advance your research career. If you have a good publication record which demonstrates your technical ability this will be the perfect opportunity for you.

Requirements

• PhD in either polymer chemistry or materials science.
• Proven experience in polymer synthesis, synthetic organic chemistry and/or materials development.
• Ability to work in a research laboratory and a good understanding of safe chemical laboratory practises.
• Strong background in 3D printing of polymers.
• Ability to undertake experimental investigations autonomously.
• Capability to utilise chemical & polymer analysis techniques such as gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Benefits

• Base salary $75,000-$83,830 dependent on experience.
• Based in Rotorua for 1 year + 40 hours per week.
• Flexible working options + 9-day fortnight at Scion.
• Free car parking + and a secure bike shed at Scion.
• Opportunity to research novel high performance polymeric materials derived from lignin.
• Work collaboratively with world class Scientists and Technical staff.
• Great location on the edge of Rotorua's world famous Whakarewarewa Forest

 Apply Now if this sounds like the opportunity you have been waiting for! Please ensure you submit your application promptly as we will progress with the recruitment process as applications are submitted.

 Closing date: Thursday 11th April 2024