Waterborne coatings are receiving increasing attention in many engineering domains such as aerospace, automotive and construction due to their lower toxicity and negative environmental impact than their solvent counterparts. One of the most attractive use of waterborne paints is as anticorrosive protective systems to decrease the high impact on economy and safety directly related to metal degradation (corrosion). Despite significant progress has been made over the years to develop improved anticorrosive waterborne coatings, the overall anticorrosive performance of waterborne paints still has room for improvement when considering highly demanding applications. Fundamental research studying waterborne coatings from different angles is necessary to establish rationalized design rules for improved coatings. In this project we will focus on the interactions between the different components present in waterborne anticorrosive coatings (e.g. colloids, fillers, inhibitors) and metal surfaces and how these interactions affect the overall coating anticorrosive performance. To this aim we will use a broad range of techniques operating at different scales and resolving different phenomena such as EIS, SVET, SKP, Electrochemical noise, highly resolved opto-electrochemistry, optical tweezers, AFM and neutron reflectometry amongst others. 

This fundamental research project is mostly experimental but modeling is expected at a later stage of  the project. The project will be developed at the Aerospace Structures and Materials department in close collaboration with BASF and a second PhD candidate. The core supervisory team is composed by Prof Santiago Garcia (TUDelft) and Drs. Patrick Keil and Chintankumar Patel (BASF).  

• We are looking for PhD candidates with an intrinsic motivation to do fundamental research with an eye on application.
• You have an MSc degree in materials science, electrochemistry, nanomaterials, bioengineering, or a related field.
• You have experience in surface and/or materials characterization using advanced and/or uncommon characterization techniques such as those listed in the job description.
• You have background knowledge on polymer science, electrochemistry (and modeling). You are interested in working at the interface between polymer science, electrochemistry, nanotechnology and metallurgy.
• You are independent, self-motivated, explorative, resilient, curiosity-driven.
• You are open-minded, enjoy communication, story-telling and networking with peers and you have excellent command of English, both verbally and in writing.
• Finally you truly enjoy working in the lab and you are stimulated by the multidisciplinary approach.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.