PhD Candidate Advanced System Modelling for Circular Plastics Recycling

Welcome to Maastricht University!

The demand for high‑quality recycled plastics is growing fast—and so is the need for smarter, data‑driven recycling technologies. At Maastricht University, you’ll help shape the next generation of circular materials by uncovering how we can recover more and better plastics from end‑of‑life vehicles and electronic waste. As a PhD candidate in the RePlaCE project, you’ll combine analytical insight with real‑world recycling trials to turn complex waste streams into valuable resources with real industrial impact.

PhD Candidate Advanced System Modelling for Circular Plastics Recycling

• Our goal: Advancing data‑driven models to improve the quality and yield of recycled plastics from end‑of‑life vehicles and electronic waste.
• Your colleagues: You will be part of the department of Circular Chemical Engineering, the Circular Plastics team is headed by internationally acclaimed plastic recycling expert prof. Kim Ragaert. We are an open, supportive and multidisciplinary team comprising several nationalities and scientific specialisms. Currently, we are an academic staff of 1 full professor, 2 associate professors and 4 assistant professors, working with a dozen PhD students. We focus on polymer and data science for (mechanical) recycling of plastics as well as the more systemic view. This position is for the group of assistant professor Sin Yong Teng within the Circular Plastics team. Our labs and offices or on Brightlands Chemelot Campus, in the middle of the largest chemical site of the Netherlands. As such, we are very well connected to industry. More information you can find on https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/circular-chemical-engineering/research/circular-plastics 

Our group is looking for a PhD researcher to carry out research and development in the RePlaCE (Recycling of Plastics from Cars and Electronic Equipment) project. The goal of the RePlaCE project is to improving the quality and quantity of recycled plastics derived from end-of-life vehicles (ELV) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). The PhD candidate will work on data-driven modelling of recycling process systems. To make such a model applicable for industrial purposes, the PhD candidate will include laboratory analytics and industrial trials of recycling to fuel the model.

What you do

• Coordination and meeting with project stakeholders
• Studying the value chain of ELV/WEEE plastics
• Research on new methodologies for fundamental modelling
• Research and development of data-driven models towards ELV/WEEE systems
• Generation of data for system models in lab or industrial trials
• Dissemination of the research activities (e.g. conferences, meetings, workshops)

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 a highly self‑sufficient and data‑driven researcher who feels confident conducting independent work in system/material modelling research. You combine strong analytical thinking with a curious, systems‑oriented mindset, and you enjoy turning complex data into clear insights. While you work independently with ease, you also actively collaborate with professors and fellow PhD candidates to drive meaningful progress in advanced plastic recycling. Furthermore, the requisites for this position are: 

• A Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related modelling field.
• Experience in process system modelling with good understanding of data-driven modelling/AI is highly desirable. Additional experience of recycling processes and circularity will be a bonus.
• Process system engineering models (e.g. superstructure model, material flow model, P graph, process simulation, etc.)
• Data-driven modelling and/or artificial intelligence modelling ability (e.g. statistical machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, large language models, etc.)
• Familiarity with plastics recycling value chain (sorting, density separation, mechanical extrusion, etc.).
• Willing to carry out and analyse laboratory (e.g. Raman, FTIR, LC-MS) and industrial trials.
• Strong computational skills for data analysis and modelling (e.g. Python).
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.

What we offer
At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer: 

• A 12-month contract (1,0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3 year extension.
• A gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and € 3.881 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. 
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours. 
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home. 
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas. 
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with. 
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities. 
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe. 

About the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE)
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 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. 

Interested?
Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Dr. Sin Yong Teng at sinyong.teng@maastrichtuniversity.nl. The end date of the publication is 15 July 2026.

Your application must include:

• A curriculum vitae, including at least two individuals who may be contacted for a reference
• Your two most relevant publications to this position (if any)
• Motivation letter (max 1 page), in which you clearly explain why you consider yourself a suitable candidate for this position. 

The first interviews preferably take place before 25 July. The second interviews will preferably be held before end of August (if necessary). An orientation day can be part of the application procedure.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

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.