Postdoc in Recycling Plastic Waste via Mechanochemistry

Use your heterogeneous catalysis and/or polymer science background and join us in developing a new chemical pathway for recycling plastic waste via mechanochemistry!

Your job

You will use your background in chemistry, catalysis, polymer science and/or mechanochemistry to discover new recycling technologies for plastics using mechanochemistry. You will enter a relatively unexplored field of chemistry together with an expanding team of 5 PhD candidates and an experienced postdoc. The core objective of this project is to pioneer the conversion of polyolefins into essential chemical building blocks like monomers, aromatics, and other hydrocarbons through innovative ball-milling and extrusion techniques. By unravelling the intricate interplay between mechanical forces, catalysis, and polymer chain cleavage, you will gain valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms shaping the future of recycling technology. Embrace the array of cutting-edge spectroscopic and analytic techniques (e.g., EPR, SEC, Raman, IR and TGA) within the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis (ICC) section, enhancing your proficiency in catalyst design and becoming a trailblazer in mechano-catalysis.

This project addresses the global challenge of plastic waste. To achieve this mechanochemical and mechanistic fundamentals of polyolefin conversion are combined with the possibility to develop a viable recycling technology. You will have the opportunity to apply for patents and make valuable connections to industrial leaders along the plastic value chain. There are plenty of possibilities for outreach, e.g., via webinars or open days of the university.

You will work closely with a diverse team of peers, offering guidance, support, and mentorship. The ICC section offers a stimulating environment with fostering collaborations with distinguished researchers, postdocs, and PhD candidates specialising in operando spectroscopy techniques for catalyst analysis. Your main tasks include:

• developing a new chemical recycling technology based on mechanochemistry;
• overcoming the challenge of performing reactions inside a shaking ball mill at elevated temperatures and under gas atmosphere;
• understanding the fundamental mechanism of mechanochemical polymer chain cleavage;
• developing a strong knowledge base for mechanochemistry of polyolefins;
• advising, supervising and working closely with other team members.

Your qualities

You enjoy working in a team, while also being able to take full responsibility for your own research project. You have experience in and like overcoming experimental and scientific challenges. And you are someone who looks beyond the academic boundaries of your research: you think about possible applications of your research and you are interested in working with companies. Except for that, you are an inspiring and motivated professional and bring the following qualities:

• an intrinsic drive to contribute to a relatively unexplored field of chemistry;
• motivation to develop new plastic recycling technologies and contribute to solving the plastic waste issue;
• strong expertise (through studies and PhD/Postdoc research) and experience in one or all of the fields mechanochemistry, polymer science, catalysis and spectroscopy.

Our offer

• A job for one year, working in a top chemistry group with an extensive variety of state-of-the-art equipment;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary – depending on previous qualifications and experience – between €3,226 and €5,090 (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.