Our earth has been dynamic since its origin. Driven by solar and inner heat the stability of “system earth” relies on delicate interactions, like chemical reactions and equilibria involving for example carbon, which are challenged to date. Parallel to initiatives by the energy sector reducing carbon emissions and dependence, our group focuses on closing carbon cycles of polymeric materials timely, and in a green/sustainable way. In this project, we will use a variation of spectroscopy techniques using light and/or oscillatory mechanical input to value the physio-chemical behaviour of semi-aromatic building blocks derived from local crop waste in:

synthesis of Liquid Crystalline Polymers (LCP), structure formation of melt (re)processed LCP reinforced polyester composites, and function.

As a Post Doc it will be your task to elucidate the effect of monomer composition on the configurational and conformational rigidity on melt-reprocessability and fiber reinforcement. Careful selection of monomers and polymerization strategies provide control over the design of physico-chemical response in (biobased) polyester melts that are trivial to the ultimate performance. The methodological approach in molecular design matches the aim of the research group to position biobased, potentially circular, polymeric materials among the existing construction materials, here fiber reinforced thermoplastics.

You will be appointed at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials of Maastricht University (UM), which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, for a period of 3 years. You will work in the Macromolecular Physics and Technology group of Principle Investigator (PI) Dr. Jules Harings. While securing strong and effective collaboration with fellow scientists of the respective consortium and work package, you are encouraged to (i) cross interfaces of the AMIBM and UM research groups, (ii) take responsibility and authorship on the progress of the project, (iii) assist the PI in managing research and educational group activities and (iv) develop your personal research line complementary to the PI’s expertise potentially converting into a long-term appointment. The primary location is the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, the Netherlands.

• holds a PhD degree in Polymer Science, preferred in polymer rheology or polymer physics.
• has specific skills in physico-chemical characterization and thus a molecular understanding of polymers by means of rheology and spectroscopy (including small angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-ray diffraction).
• aspires an academic career.
• has a strong interest to investigate structure-property relationships of the synthesized LCPs in pure and fiber reinforced form;
• aims at helping to develop ready-to-market products based on the gained insights gained – in balance with profound scientific publishing in peer review journals;
• likes to interact with academic and industrial partners and embeds their input (e.g. during bi-annual progress meetings) into his/her scientific research;
• is result driven, inventive, creative, counts with potential impact, works ‘accountable’ and takes ownership;
• assists the PI in managing the research and educational activities of the group;
• masters scientific English for speaking, reading, and writing. Knowledge of Dutch is not required.

Fixed-term contract: 1 + 2 years.

As a Postdoc at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university of the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is in grated in scale 11 according to the UFO profile Researcher, function level 3 with corresponding salary ranging from € 4.332 to € 5.929 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 are applicable.
• The Post Doc position is full-time for a duration of 3 years and encloses an evaluation after 1 year to enter the succeeding 2 years. After careful and complete evaluation of the candidates, the project starts immediately after.
• As a holder of the 'Family-friendly University' quality mark, 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 Bargaining Agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, Click here

Maastricht University

Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.  

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.  

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Science and Engineering

At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, the future of agriculture, digitalization, and (scientific) instrument development.  

FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, undoubtedly capture everyone's attention.  

The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  

At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3150 students come together to work on exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programs. You are welcome to join our team and put your brilliant mind to work! 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses 

Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, home to four creative Brightlands campuses, are vibrant locations where 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students enthusiastically collaborate on solutions for global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and it is where we have the most impact. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen hosts one of Europe's largest chemistry and materials sites, while Venlo is a major hub for agro-food innovation. Maastricht is the location of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for smart services. 

AMIBM
The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is a department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at Maastricht University, located on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. AMIBM is a European cross-border research institute established by Maastricht University and RWTH Aachen University (Germany), focusing on developing advanced biobased materials. The mission of AMIBM is “ground-breaking conversion of biomass to biobased materials and into product applications”. AMIBM promotes excellent multidisciplinary research in the field of biobased materials, by training Ph.D. students with the multiple skills needed to be future leaders in the field, and creating the research breakthroughs that will enable the utilization of sustainable and renewable materials for advanced materials applications. The multidisciplinary team draws together scientists with expertise in molecular and applied biotechnology, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer engineering, biomedical materials, and sustainability assessment.
AMIBM is embedded in a lively, entrepreneurial, and creative working environment at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen (the Netherlands), one of the largest chemical and materials communities in Europe.

More information: www.amibm.org.

Research group Sustainability of Chemicals and Materials.
The mission of the research team is to provide suitable instruments and sustainability impact assessments to guide the transition from a fossil-based and linear economy to a biobased and circular economy.

We are a young and growing international team of sustainability experts focusing on environmental impact assessment in connection with economic and social impacts.