Postdoctoral Researcher in Chemical Recycling of Textile Waste

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Turn your passion for sustainability into impact. Join us as a Postdoctoral researcher and advance the future of textile waste recycling.
 

Postdoctoral Researcher in Chemical Recycling of Textile Waste

  • Our goal: We develop innovative circular chemical technologies to tackle one of today’s most pressing waste challenges: textiles. By exploring novel recycling processes such as hydrothermal treatment, we work towards sustainable solutions with direct societal relevance. Do you want to be part of that transition? Then we’d love to meet you.
  • Your colleagues: You will be part of the Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE) within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Maastricht University, and embedded in our Chemical Recycling research line. The position is embedded in a collaborative project with industrial and academic partners, giving you the opportunity to work at the interface of fundamental research and real-world application. You will work closely with PhD students and senior researchers under the supervision of Prof. dr. M. Pilar Ruiz.

 

We are looking for a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team at Maastricht University. In this position, you will explore innovative chemical recycling technologies for textile waste, with a particular focus on hydrothermal treatment (as well as complementary novel processes). You will design and execute experiments to depolymerize complex textile mixtures, evaluate the efficiency of different treatment methods, and characterize the resulting products. Your work will help unlock sustainable recycling routes for one of the most challenging waste streams in today’s society.

 

What you do 

  • Designing, conducting, and optimizing laboratory-scale chemical recycling experiments (e.g. hydrothermal treatment, solvolysis, or related processes) on textile waste streams.
  • Developing and applying advanced analytical methods (chromatography, spectroscopy, elemental analysis) to characterize feedstocks, intermediates, and recycled products.
  • Exploring the influence of textile composition (cotton, polyester, blends, additives, dyes) on process performance and product quality.
  • Collaborating with project partners to integrate results into larger process design and techno-economic evaluations.
  • Publishing your findings in high-impact journals and presenting at international conferences.
  • Supporting the supervision of PhD and BSc/MSc students within the Chemical Recycling group. 

 

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.  

 

What you bring  
We’re not looking for checkboxes—we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this? 

 

You are an independent and motivated researcher with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You enjoy combining hands-on laboratory work with conceptual analysis and are motivated to contribute to applied sustainability challenges. On top of that you have:

  • A PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, or a related field.
  • Strong background in chemical recycling, thermochemical conversion, polymer processing, or related areas.
  • Hands-on experience with experimental research involving hydrothermal treatment, solvolysis, or pyrolysis is a strong plus.
  • Experience with advanced analytical characterization techniques (e.g. GC-MS, LC-MS, FTIR, NMR, GPC, XRF).
  • Strong scientific writing and communication skills, with a proven publication record.
  • Ability to work in a team and in close interaction with industrial and academic partners.
  • Excellent written and spoken English skills. 

 

What we offer
As a Postdoctoral Researcher
 at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

  • Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 11 according to UFO profile Researcher with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4.728 and €6.433 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
  • An employment contract for a period of 24 months with a scope of 1.0 FTE.
  • At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
  • As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
  • Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 


The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.


Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  
 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  

 

Department of Circular Chemical Engineering
The Department of Circular Chemical Engineering (CCE) at Maastricht University focuses on sustainable processes for circular plastics (mechanical and chemical recycling) and plasma chemistry for electrification of industry. Our group is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering and is located at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. 



Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact dr. A. Chaudhuri at arnab.chaudhuri@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 


Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoctoral Researcger? Apply now, no later than 16 November, for this position.

 

Please upload your CV (including publication list), motivation letter and contact information of 2 referees.

 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

 

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

 

 

Job Type:  Academic
Faculty/Service Center:  Faculty of Science & Engineering
Closing date:  16-11-2025
FTE min:  1,0
FTE max:  1,0
Salary min:  €4728,00
Salary max:  €6433,00
ID job:  2664
Job Type:  Academic
Faculty/Service Center:  Faculty of Science & Engineering
Closing date:  16-11-2025
FTE min:  1,0
FTE max:  1,0
Salary min:  €4728,00
Salary max:  €6433,00
ID job:  2664