Are you interested in emulsions? Are you experienced in physical-chemical characterization techniques? Do you have an MSc degree in physical chemistry, soft matter science, physics, chemical engineering or similar? We are looking for a PhD candidate that will work on the stability of Pickering emulsions. Will you join our team?

Would you like to start your career in a European training network of leading research universities and professionals from the industry? Then you might be interested in this PhD position, which will enable you to join the PICKFOOD project. PICKFOOD is a top level interdisciplinary training and research programme involving 15 PhD positions across physics, physical chemistry and food science. PICKFOOD aims to create at European level a network of next generation young scientists trained in novel methodologies within Pickering emulsions research enabling the development of safe, healthy and functional foods and at the same time minimizing food waste due to lipid oxidation. This network is detailed on the site www.pickfood.eu.

What will you be doing?
Using novel methods previously developed in our group, including high-speed-imaging combined with micro-centrifugation, emulsion-droplet optical tweezing and confocal-based coalescence assays, you will obtain a fundamental understanding of how particle-coated liquid films rupture and merge, and then use these data to establish predictive models for the stability of Pickering-emulsion based products. You will be embedded in in the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter at Wageningen University, and work closely together with the different partners in the consortium. In particular, this project includes three planned two-month secondments at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), at Bether Encapsulates (Netherlands) and at the University of Campinas (Brazil).

We are looking for you, if you want to do a PhD and have a great interest in emulsions and interface science, to study the stability of Pickering emulsions, i.e. emulsions stabilized by adsorbed colloidal particles. One of the main features of interest in Pickering emulsions is their high stability against coalescence, lending enormous shelf lives to products based on particle-stabilized oil droplets. Surprisingly, little fundamental effort has gone to understanding the mechanisms of coalescence of droplets whose interface are coated with solid particles, while those mechanisms are well established for surfactant-stabilized emulsions. The aim of this project is to fill this knowledge gap by using state-of-the art experimental techniques on well-designed model systems.

You are highly driven and extremely curious. "Why?" is a question that you often ask.

• You have an MSc degree (or equivalent) in physical chemistry, soft matter, physics, chemical engineering or a related field;
• you have a good understanding of basic principles of colloid science and thermodynamics;
• you have hands-on experience with physical-chemical characterization techniques, such as confocal microscopy, microfluidics, light scattering and tensiometry;
• some experience with modelling and simulations is a plus;
• you aim to excel, you are creative and inquisitive ad you are eager to learn new things;
• you have good oral and written communication skills in English (minimally IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90).

Additional eligibility requirements:
The applicant shall, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. Full-time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree which would formally entitle him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited.

�The applicant is required to undertake transnational�mobility�(i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up his/her appointment. At the time of recruitment, the applicant must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.�Note that the�mobility�rule applies to the Netherlands where the researcher is recruited, and not to co-hosting research groups to which the researcher is sent or seconded.

In this ITN consortium, each recruited researcher will be seconded to other beneficiaries and/or to partner organizations. Also attendance in off-site training events and meetings is expected. All travel is fully funded. Additional family allowance is provided if the applicant can provide evidence of eligibility (marriage (equivalent) and/or dependent children) at the beginning of the appointment.

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

• Sabbatical leave, study leave, and 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 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 € 2.434,- per month rising to € 3.111,- 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 Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the Best University in the Netherlands for the 16th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University and 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, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen's unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

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

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.