Are you a polymer chemist with an interest to apply your expertise for the development of covalent adaptable polymer networks to create smart polymer materials? Do you have a background in synthesis and characterisation of polymers, including rheology and/or dynamic-mechanical analysis? And would you like to work together in a multidisciplinary team of researchers? Then this could be the ideal next step in your career!

The Dynamic Polymers group within the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry at Wageningen University & Research is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on a one-year project that is aimed at the development of covalent adaptable networks, with a focus on how these polymer networks can be made processable (at elevated temperatures) without suffering creep at room temperature.

A major theme within the Dynamic Polymers group is to employ dynamic-covalent bonds for the creation of covalent adaptable networks that are mechanically strong, yet also remain easily processable, recyclable or self-healable. Our group is exploring various strategies to control the macroscopic material properties of these networks, both at the molecular level (e.g., by choice of dynamic-covalent bond, use of catalysts, or by electronic effects), as well as at the mesoscale (e.g., by inducing phase separation). Our aim is to contribute to both the fundamental aspects related to these networks (e.g., as related to development of new chemistries or to strategies to switch the material from static to dynamic), as well as to more applied topics, such as for the development of self-healing or recyclable materials or for the preparation of composites.

Your task will be to synthesise covalent adaptable networks, either based on existing dynamic chemistries already in use in the lab (e.g., imine bonds, boronic esters or Diels-Alder chemistry) or based on chemistries you develop yourself. Furthermore, you will characterise these polymer networks, focussing on their (temperature-dependent) dynamic-mechanical properties. Based on these insights, you will also explore routes (e.g., by change of monomer, use of additives or catalysts, variation in network composition, etc.) by which the material properties can be optimised in terms of processability and creep resistance. In your research, we expect you to collaborate with other group members, and also to disseminate your results in leading peer-reviewed journals.

• you have a PhD degree in polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, materials science, or similar;
• you have experience in the synthesis and characterisation of polymers, including rheology and/or dynamic-mechanical analysis; preferably in the field of covalent adaptable networks;
• you have a track record of earlier work experience in the form of papers in peer-reviewed journals;
• you have ample experience with designing and independently performing experiments;
• you have excellent communication skills in oral and written English.

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially 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 compensation / 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 of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 2.960,-. and € 4.670,-. for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10).

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. 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 17th 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.

Wageningen University & Research

The Organic Chemistry group (www.orc.wur.nl) constitutes a large, interdisciplinary research team involved in teaching and research on organic chemistry. The team consists of around 30 PhD students and postdocs, a permanent staff of 7 technical employees, 4 academic teachers, two part-time professors with external expertise, 9 assistant and associate professors and one full-time chair. The laboratory is extremely well-equipped with a unique set of analysis instruments for (bio-organic) materials and surfaces. In addition to this, the embedding within Wageningen University & Research adds ample biological input into our focus on modified surfaces and functional materials.

The mission of Wageningen University & 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, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR's Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues 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.