Plastics are an essential part of modern society. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of these materials is recycled (9%) the rest are incinerated (12%) and released to the environment (79%). While conventional recycling can be increased, the inferior properties of the recycled materials, relative to virgin plastics, hinders economic profitability. In this project we will tackle this issue by developing new materials and processes that can chemically "upcycle" plastics into added value products in foams stabilized by catalysts.

In this project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) as part of the Talent Scheme VIDI, you will apply amphiphobic catalysts that can stabilize gas-liquid interfaces to study the formation of foams and their fluid dynamic behavior using high-speed thermal microscopy on micro-channel flow-reactors coupled to ex-situ analytics using HPLC and GC-MS. In this project you will design, construct, and test a new micro-channel reactor system that can generate foams stabilized by particles. These solids should act as foam stabilizers to produce high-surface area gas-liquid-solid contacting reactors. We expect the candidate to achieve an excellent control over the stabilization of the foams and develop a fundamental understanding of the fluid-foam-particle-activity relationships. We expect the candidate to have an entrepreneurial and science-oriented spirit, so that we can bring the benefits of this technology quickly to the end-users collaborating in the project.

The work will be carried out in the University of Twente (The Netherlands) in the Multiphasic Catalysis and Reactions (MCR) group of Dr. ir. J.A. Faria within the Catalytic Process and Materials department in the Faculty of Science and Technology.

• Catalytic Processes and Materials (CPM) department website
• Multiphasic Catalysis and Reactions (MCR) group website

• We seek highly motivated early-career researchers with a MSc in applied physics and/or chemical engineering.
• The candidate should have excellent knowledge and practical experience on fluid transport, physical chemistry, chemistry, and numerical modelling.
• Hands-on experience on MATLAB, COMSOL, or Python will be highly valued.
• Our ideal candidate must enjoy working in an internationally and multi-disciplinary team contributing to the research of team-members.
• We welcome candidates with strong interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills and interest in sharing knowledge at conferences and meetings.
• Proficiency in English is required, both spoken and written.

This position plays a key role in this ambitious project, and you will be embedded in a dynamic research group with colleagues working on similar topics.

• Full-time four years PhD position.
• Full status as an employee, including pension and health care benefits. Salary and conditions are in accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities.
• We provide a stimulating, modern research environment with world-class research facilities, including access to the NanoLab in the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology.
• A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School, combined with excellent mentorship.
• Gross monthly salary of € 2541,- in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3247,- in the fourth year.
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Between 29 and 41 leave days in case of full-time employment.
• Researchers from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary (the 30% tax regulation).
• Support for attendance to national and international conferences and seminars

The project will be developed within the Catalytic Processes and Material Chair in the group led by Dr. Ir. J. A. Faria on Multiphasic Catalysis and Reactions (MCR). The MCR group leverages fundamental knowledge on physical-chemistry and engineering to study complex multi-phasic reaction systems and create novel synthetic catalytic materials for the sustainable production of renewable energies and chemicals. By Integrating molecular -sensing and -actuation mechanisms directly on conventional catalysts the MCR group is paving the way for autonomous catalytic reaction processes, allowing us to develop the next generation of process-intensive, modular, and robust reactors for chemicals production, energy conversion, and environmental remediation.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our university. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.