We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious PhD student with a background in organic chemistry and/or polymer science to develop smart, dynamic polymer materials. This PhD project is part of a recently initiated research program on dynamic polymers that is supported via an NWO VIDI grant. Within this project, you will be a member of a team that consists of another PhD student and a postdoctoral researcher.
As a PhD student, you will be developing dynamic, polymer-based materials that are, for example, self-healing, shape-transforming, malleable or recyclable. To achieve this dynamic response, you will employ a still relatively new class of reversible bond: the dynamic-covalent bond. This bond combines the robustness of a conventional covalent bond with the reversibility of non-covalent bonds. You will synthesize imine-based dynamic-covalent building blocks, subsequently integrate them into polymer networks, and study how these polymers can lead to mechanically strong, yet still adaptive materials with smart, dynamic properties. As a first target, the design of these polymers will be focused on self-healing and shape-transforming materials. On the whole, the PhD project includes organic (monomer) synthesis, polymer synthesis, and (dynamic-mechanical) characterization of the prepared polymer materials.
We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious PhD student with a background in organic chemistry and polymer science to design, synthesize and characterize smart, dynamic polymer materials, based on dynamic-covalent imine bonds.

The candidate requires an MSc degree in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Science, Molecular (Life) Sciences, or a related topic, with a strong background in organic chemistry as well as a strong interest (or preferentially experience) in polymer chemistry and polymer characterization. Furthermore, you should be a team player with good written and oral communication skills in English.

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2266,-. in the first year rising up to € 2897,-. per month in the fourth year.

We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

Wageningen University & Research

The Organic Chemistry group (www.orc.wur.nl) constitutes a large, interdisciplinary research team involved in teaching and research on organic chemistry, with an emphasis on surface-based reactivity. The group aims to excel in the research and teaching of organic chemistry. The laboratory is extremely well-equipped with a unique set of analysis instruments for (bio-)organic materials and surfaces, and the group consists of around 20 PhD students and postdocs, a permanent staff of 7 technical employees, two part-time professors with external expertise, 6 assistant and associate professors and one full-time chair. In addition to this, the embedding within Wageningen University & Research adds ample biological input into our focus on chemistry-based bionanotechnology. Currently ca. 1700 students/year take part in one or more Organic Chemistry study elements provided by our faculty.

The Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group is part of Wageningen University & Research, an organisation that brings together fundamental and applied scientific research. We work on creating 'healthy food in a biobased society' with private sector companies, research institutes and government agencies in the Netherlands and abroad. Our innovations play a crucial role in solving the major issues which affect society today. Entrepreneurship and professionalism are key in all that we do. In short, we are a major international employer offering considerable potential for your career.

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain of good and safe food & food production, food security and a healthy living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 5000 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at:
https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs.htm

Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.