Do you have a strong ambition to develop polymer materials that contribute to a circular economy? Do you like working together in a large, multidisciplinary team to tackle an urgent societal challenge? And do you enjoy using organic chemistry to make new polymers with unexplored properties?
Then we are looking for you! We have a PhD position available in which you can develop polycarbonate polymers with dynamic-covalent functionalities that enable them to become better recyclable.

For a recently awarded research grant by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), we are looking for a PhD student to come and join our consortium. This DynaBranch consortium consists of partners from Wageningen University, Eindhoven University of Technology, Avans University of Applied Sciences, with SABIC as industrial partner. The aim of the program is to increase the recyclability of an important class of engineering plastics: polycarbonates. For this, we will (chemically) modify polycarbonates by dynamic-covalent chemistry. These new polymers will be combined with existing polycarbonate (as part of a recycling stream) to achieve (re)processing that is compatible with existing infrastructure. The overall project will cover topics from organic/polymer synthesis, polymer processing and characterisation, ageing and recycling studies, as well as socio-economic analyses related to the acceptance of these new materials.

For this consortium we are now recruiting a PhD student in the Dynamic Polymers group of Maarten Smulders at Wageningen University. As PhD student, you will focus on how to integrate dynamic-covalent motifs in polycarbonates and characterise these newly developed polymers (additives). Specifically, you will unravel the dynamic behaviour of these new materials, including also as function of temperature. Moreover, the compatibility of the these newly developed ‘dynamic’ polymers with commercial polycarbonates will be explored. You will work in close collaboration with a second PhD student working in the group of Hans Heuts at Eindhoven University of Technology, and you will also spend time in Eindhoven. Finally, you will also work together with the other partners for further material characterisation, scale-up studies and industrial implementation.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Organic Chemistry, which is led by Prof. Han Zuilhof. You will be member of the Dynamic Polymers group, which is led by Dr. Maarten Smulders. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Hans Heuts (Eindhoven University of Technology).

You have:

• a successfully completed MSc degree in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline;
• a strong background in experimental science and hands-on experience in organic and/or polymer chemistry and characterisation, including (dynamic) mechanical analysis;
• good analytical skills, initiative and creativity;
• the ambition to be part of a dynamic team and multidisciplinary research environment.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.872,- per month rising to € 3.670,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,700 employees (7,000 fte), 2,500 PhD and EngD candidates, 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves and do not appreciate unasked for services from recruitment agencies. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.