PhD position on Advanced Recyclable Metamaterials from Bio-Waste

Nowadays, most low-grade organic waste is usually incinerated or converted into low-value products. This results in the loss of valuable raw materials, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and is simply inefficient from any point of view. Within the large consortium ABEL (Ab-initio Biowaste Loop) funded by the Dutch Research Council, we have a PhD student position focused on developing innovative technologies for upcycling this waste into high-performance advanced materials. In collaboration with a post-doctoral researcher, the PhD student will explore how bio-polymer mono-materials made from organic waste can be used to create advanced materials with extended mechanical and/or dynamic functionalities. Based on a known catalytic process, the PhD student will develop numerical models to reproduce the mechanics of bio-based polymers and then apply the principles of metamaterials to activate application-beneficial functionalities, which will make them attractive for industrial needs and, particularly, construction applications.

What are you going to do?

To ensure the uptake of bio-polymer mono-materials made from low-grade bio-waste in construction applications, it is crucial to demonstrate that these materials have attractive functionalities, e.g., load bearing, noise and/or vibration attenuation, heat insulation, humidity resistance, etc. This is not straightforward, since the mechanical behavior of bio-based polymers can largely vary due to the diversity of low-grade bio-waste. The goal is to achieve the required behavior by using the principles of metamaterials that derive their properties from geometry-based architectures, rather than base materials. This will be done by (1) mechanically characterizing bio-based polymers that will be produced by a new catalytic methodology developed by a post-doc; (2) designing architected mono-blocks with target mechanical response and analyzing this response in numerical and experimental tests; (3) predicting and validating the acoustic/dynamic/thermal behavior of the mono-blocks, and (4) developing functional structures made by a proper composition of the mono-blocks and testing them in proper environment. The PhD student will work in close cooperation with the Chemical Engineering Lab of the University of Groningen, start-up company ATA Mute B.V. (Eindhoven, The Netherlands), and the Building Engineering Group at Hanze University of Applied Sciences.

• You have an educational background in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• You are inspired to develop an interdisciplinary background at the intersection of Materials Science (Advanced Materials), Wave Dynamics, Chemical Engineering, and Civil and Construction Engineering. 
• You have (basic) skills in mechanical/chemical materials characterization and are motivated to develop them further.
• You qualify as a PhD candidate in the Netherlands, meaning that you are in the possession of, or about to obtain, an internationally recognized Master’s degree in the relevant field (equivalent to a Dutch Master’s degree).
• You are a team player, have good communication skills, and feel comfortable presenting your research to non-specialists.
• You must not already have a doctoral degree.
• You are proficient in the academic English language (detailed requirements are described here: English language requirements | How to obtain a PhD position at the UG | University of Groningen).

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse. 

The PhD project research (4 years in total) will be carried out at the University of Groningen (RUG, the Netherlands) under the supervision of Prof. Anastasiia O. Krushynska (prof. dr. A.O. (Anastasiia) Krushynska | How to find us | University of Groningen) and Prof. Peter Deuss (PI - prof. P.J. Deuss | Principal Investigators | University of Groningen) in the Metamechanics group (Meta Mechanics | Groningen) at the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen. 

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Anastasiia Krushynska (Associate Professor): A.O.Krushynska@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Friso Salverda (Human Resources Adviser): f.d.salverda@rug.nl