This PhD project is funded by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network; a joint research training and doctoral programme, funded by the EU and implemented by a partnership of high-profile universities, research institutions, and non-academic organisations that are located in 8 different countries.

UCOM is the acronym of the project “Ultrasound Cavitation in sOft Materials”. The UCOM network is international (includes beneficiaries and partners from the EU, Switzerland, US, Japan and China), interdisciplinary (mechanical, physics, medical and biomedical technology fields), intersectoral (includes academic and non-academic institutions) and innovative (addresses topics not studied before).

15 doctoral candidates will be recruited by the research-focused organisations of the consortium to develop, improve and validate new state-of-the-art cavitation models and interaction with soft materials (e.g. tissues) against both existing and new experimental data. At the same time, the UCOM project will give the young researchers the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and expertise but also to create strategic partnerships with leading institutions worldwide, preparing them this way for a successful career, either in the public or the private sector.

You will work in the Mesoscale Chemical Systems group at the University of Twente (UT) in the Netherlands. The research in our group covers a variety of aspects in microfluidics, microfabrication, engineering and fluid mechanics. MCS group is embedded in the MESA+ Institute and focuses on:

• the development of 3D nanostructures for solar to electricity to chemical conversion microreactors as a means of chemical process intensification (sonochemistry, high pressure, electricity-driven)
• miniaturized analytical tools and MEMS-based sensors for a variety of application fields (forensics, health, environment, chemical process control)
• microfluidic systems for life science applications (e.g. drug delivery)

Our group collaborates closely with the Physics of Fluids group, part of the Twente Max Planck Center, the J.M. Burgers Research Center for fluid mechanics. For further information, you are encouraged to view mcs.tnw.utwente.nl and https://www.utwente.nl/en/tnw/mcs/people/academic_staff/david_fernandez_rivas/ to read our recent publications on the topic.

You have a background in applied physics or mechanical engineering, or in a closely related discipline. You have strong communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English. You are enthusiastic, and highly motivated to do a PhD in a collaborative environment, as part of a wide international network. Experience in microfabrication (e.g. cleanroom work) is a plus.

We want you to play a key role in an ambitious project in an inspiring and stimulating international work environment.

• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities.
• You will have an employment contract for the duration of 4 years and can participate in all employee benefits the UT offers.
• You will be embedded in a dynamic research group with colleagues working on similar topics.
• Additionally, the UT is a green campus with excellent facilities and resources for professional and personal development.
• You will follow a high-quality personalized educational program.
• The research will result in a PhD thesis at the end of the employment period.
• We strive for diversity and fairness in hiring.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

• letter of motivation,
• curriculum vitae of at most 3 pages,
• copy of transcripts and of their degree, and a copy of master’s thesis or any other publications (if available),
• two written recommendation letters (e.g. one by the former Master thesis supervisor and their referees contact details).
• Applicants must choose the position of their interest from the list of the offered research topics and send the requested documents by email to Mr N. Chatziarsenis (nikolaos.chatziarsenis.1@city.ac.uk ) under the title ‘UCOM Application’ , specifying the position(s) they are applying for (e.g. applying for ESR7 and ESR9 etc.).

An interview with a scientific presentation will be part of the interview process. Any specific enquiry should be directed to Dr. David Fernandez Rivas (d.fernandezrivas@utwente.nl).

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and 2000 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.