PhD Candidate: Crystal Design and Dynamics of Biobased and Biodegradable PHA Textiles

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you the physical chemist to push biobased and biodegradable sustainable textiles to a competitive position?  At the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials, you will investigate and control how crystal structure and chain dynamics determine the mechanical properties and biodegradability fibres and textiles based on the series of bacterial polyesters “polyhydroxy alkanoates (PHAs)”. 

PhD Candidate: Crystal Design and Dynamics of Biobased and Biodegradable PHA Textiles

• Our goal: within the Interreg-funded PHAtex project, you will study, explain and control  how crystallization, polymorphism, and chain mobility direct processability and end-use properties of PHA textile fibres without compromising biodegradability.
• Your colleagues: you will join the Laboratory of Macromolecular Physics and Technology at AMIBM and collaborate with researchers at Maastricht University, RWTH Aachen, our Belgian project partners crossing academic, industrial and multiple disciplinary boundaries.

In this PhD project, you connect fundamental polymer physics to application-driven research. You study structure development in the lab and during processing, relate it to spinning conditions and fibre properties, and contribute to a cross-border collaboration with academic and industrial impact.

What you do

You take ownership of a research project that combines advanced characterization, sustainable biodegradable materials, and polymer processing.

• Develop measurement protocols to link PHA crystallization, polymorphism, and chain mobility to spinning conditions and fibre performance such as (thermo)mechanical properties and stability, biodegradability, and micro-fiber release and (bio)chemical recycling rates.
• Work with techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, fast-scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, FTIR and  NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction/scattering, dynamic mechanical analysis,  rheology, and tensile testing.
• Communicate your findings via progress reports, project meetings, peer-reviewed publications in esteemed scientific journals, (inter)national conferences and institutional events.
• Supervise BSc, MSc student interns and contribute to teaching activities.

Are you the physical chemist that gets into excited state too? Please apply!.

What you bring
We are interested in your scientific curiosity, research mindset, creativity, perseverance and motivation to think on the molecular and structural level in developing sustainable materials solutions.

• Strong academic background. You hold a master’s degree or equivalent in Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, or Polymer Science or Engineering.
• Curious and hands-on. You enjoy combining experiments with data analysis, master principles in programming and are eager to understand material behaviour across molecular, crystal, and morphological length scales.
• Independent and collaborative. You take ownership of your work, communicate clearly in English, and work well with researchers, students, and external stakeholders.

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

• A full-time PhD position for 4 years, starting on 1 May 2026 or as soon as possible, with an evaluation after the first year.
• A gross monthly salary between €3059,00 and €3881,00 based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week, plus 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year on a full-time basis, with the possibility to build up extra compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, partial remote working when the role allows it, and a monthly commuting and internet allowance.
• A good pension scheme with ABP, company fitness arrangements, and access to extensive university sports facilities.
• Plenty of room for personal and professional development through training opportunities and university-wide initiatives.
• An inspiring research environment at Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, where academic and industrial researchers work side by side.
• The terms of employment are based on the collective labour agreement of Dutch Universities, complemented by local UM provisions.

About AMIBM and FSE
The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Maastricht University. AMIBM is a cross-border research institute founded by Maastricht University and RWTH Aachen University, focused on advanced biobased materials. Within the Laboratory of Macromolecular Physics and Technology, you will work on the relation of molecular dynamics during processing and in-operation to control the structure – function relationship in sustainable materials.

Interested?

Want to know more about this position? Reach out to Prof. dr. Jules Harings at jules.harings@maastrichtuniversity.nl. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please upload the following documents with your application:

• A motivation letter that explains your interest in the project and highlights your relevant experience.
• Your CV.
• Your diplomas and grade transcripts, plus the names and contact details of two referees.

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.

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

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. We therefore encourage you to apply for this position.