The Circular Plastics research group at Maastricht University is looking for a highly motivated postdoc to join our team in understanding and developing solutions for recycling of PET/biodegradable polyester blends.
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is extensively used to produce food and beverage packaging products and it is one of the most successfully recycled plastic materials. Other polyesters, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), have gained popularity in packaging due to their biodegradability. However, these biodegradable polyesters are thermodynamically immiscible with PET and, when unintentionally mixed with PET, deteriorate the properties of the recycled material, compromising PET recycling.

As a postdoc, you will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Prepare PET/biodegradable polyester blends.
• Identify limiting factors for the recyclability of these blends such as maximum contaminant content.
• Evaluate the thermal(oxidative) degradation behaviour, rheological properties, and mechanical performance of the blends.
• Assess the role of chemical modifiers in the recyclability and post-condensation of PET and its blends.
• Study the separation of PET from other polyesters via selective solvency.
• Write manuscripts and funding proposals.
• Present the research results.
• Support teaching activities.

You are self-motivated, autonomous, open-minded, hands-on, and communicative, with good interpersonal skills, and interested in working in an international research environment.

Furthermore, the requisites for this position are:

• You hold a PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Chemistry, Material Physics, Chemical Engineering, etc.
• Expressive experience and deep understanding of the main physicochemical characterization techniques such as DSC, TGA, FTIR, GPC, rheology, SEM, WAXS, and AFM.
• Ability to plan and conduct activities in the lab, such as polymer processing, chemical reactions, and physicochemical analysis, following all the safety regulations.
• Previous experience with thermoplastic polyesters is an asset.
• Fluency in English (written and oral).
• Scientific approach.

What we offer
As Postdoc at the The Faculty of Science and Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3226,00 and €5090,00 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 apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 24 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, 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 labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

Maastricht University

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, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention. The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses

Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.