PhD candidate: synthetic chemist for bioinspired hybrid copolymers (1.0 FTE), Faculty of Humanities

The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is a cross-border research institute focusing on biobased materials, situated on the Chemelot Campus in Geleen. We are looking for a fulltime PhD candidate being a synthetic chemist for bioinspired hybrid copoloymers.

Job Specifications - (uitleg)

Solliciteer binnen 26 dagen op deze vacature

Job Description

As a PhD candidate of AMIBM, you will study synthesis routes towards bioinspired and biobased polymer hybrids mimicking elastin and its behaviour in biological tissue. The polymers will be evaluated in terms of chemical, physical and mechanical properties. In order to transform the synthesized polymers into biomedical materials like heart leaflets, the polymer will be shaped via electrospinning.

You are expected to adopt a multidisciplinary role in the fields of chemical synthesis, physical characterization, mechanical evaluation and processing of bioinspired medical materials. You will collaborate with colleagues acting in various segments of the unique value chain present in AMIBM.

You will be appointed to the department of Biobased Materials, which is part of the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences. You will operate from the Brightlands Chemelot Campus laboratories, situated at Europe’s second biggest industrial chemical site, where UM is closely interconnected with surrounding industries.

Requirements

You are an enthusiastic, intellectually independent PhD candidate (junior researcher) that holds a Master in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and has strong organic and polymer chemistry skills. Furthermore, you have experience in chemical and physical characterization of monomers and polymers and preferably possess experience in polymer processing and polymer properties. You should be willing and capable to discuss and interact with biomedical scientists and like to interact with the different partners in the AMIBM team. The ideal candidate is result driven, inventive, creative, counts with potential impact, works ‘accountable’ and works with ownership. Your work on this research project should result in a PhD thesis within a period of four years. As part of the AMIBM research team you will also play a role in writing scientific grant proposals and you are open for work within triple helix projects.

Conditions

We offer you fulltime employment for the duration of 4 years (first year + three years after receiving a positive evaluation). Your gross salary will be according to the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten (CAO NU), starting at €2174 per month growing to €2779 based on fulltime employment in the P salary table CAO NU.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out further in the CAO NU. Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl, employees, A-Z.

We support your personal and professional development by offering a broad work area and extensive educational opportunities.

Employment: Temporary, 1 + 3 years

Organisation

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 16,000 students and 4,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Department

AMIBM

Maastricht University and RWTH Aachen University have established a European cross-border research institute focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials. The Aachen-Maastricht Instititute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is located on the Chemelot Campus in the Netherlands, Province of Limburg, and strives for excellence in applied and translational research by creating synergies between academia and industry.

Additional Information

For further information you can contact Jules Harings, Assistant Professor Macromolecular Physics and Technology (0031 467022585) or Katrien Bernaerts, Assistant Professor Biobased Materials Polymer Chemistry (0031 467021800).

Your application must contain the following documents (all in English):

• A cover letter of 1 page (max), that motivates your interest in the vacancy and explains why you would fit well for the project;

• A curriculum vitae;

• A course list of your Masters and Bachelor programs (preferably including grades);

• Names and contact information of two references.