PhD Candidate | Department of Circular Chemical Engineering | Circular Plastics team

PhD Candidate in developing sustainable and fire-safe plastics based on fully organic phosphorus-sulfur compounds

The Circular Plastics research group at Maastricht University is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our team in developing a new generation of sustainable flame retardants for polyolefins with improved mechanical recycling performance.

Job Description
Join our cutting-edge project focused on advancing the future of flame retardant (FR) plastics! We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to explore the degradation, processing, and recycling of polypropylene (PP) combined with innovative phosphorus-sulfur flame retardants. Despite their promising performance at low concentrations, P-S FRs are not yet commercially viable due to unknown decomposition mechanisms that hinder recyclability. This interdisciplinary research aims to unravel these mechanisms and establish a scientific foundation for developing new PP/FR materials with improved recyclability, ultimately contributing to sustainable practices in electronics and transportation industries.

In the SuFiP-S project, we have built a focused consortium composed of academia and industry to tackle these challenges. The PhD will thus be working in close collaboration with leading experts in the field to create state-of-the-art insights with immediate technological impact.

In this project, your responsibilities will entail:

• Design and perform experiments using polymer processing equipment and physicochemical characterization techniques.
• Develop fundamental scientific insights into the decomposition reactions of FRs in PP.
• Study the mechanical recycling performance of FR plastics.
• Design new FR molecules and formulations for better recycling.
• Present your work at international conferences, SuFiP-S consortium meetings, and other events.
• Write scientific papers for international peer-reviewed journals.
• Provide teaching assistance and/or supervision of students.

As a PhD Candidate, you will work in the Circular Plastics team in the Faculty of Science and Engineering located at Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. You will become part of a young international research group, specialized in the mechanical recycling of plastics with a strong polymer science background. You will be guided by assistant professor Dr. Ali Gooneie and supported by other experts in the Circular Plastics group on this exciting topic.

Requirements
You are self-motivated, autonomous, open-minded, hands-on, and communicative, with good interpersonal skills, and interested in working in an international research environment.

Furthermore, the requisites for this position are: 

• You hold a master's degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience and a good understanding of physicochemical characterization techniques such as rheology, DSC, TGA, FTIR, GPC, SEM, and AFM.
• Good knowledge of polymer processing and recycling.
• Ability to plan and conduct activities in the lab, such as polymer processing, chemical reactions, and physicochemical analysis, following all the safety regulations.
• Previous experience with polyolefins and/or their FR systems is a plus.
• Knowledge of computational chemistry (modelling of chemical reactions) is a plus.
• Fluency in English (written and oral).

What we offer
As a PhD Candidate at the 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 according to UFO profile PhD Candidate, with corresponding salary from €2901,00 in the first year and €3707,00 gross per month in the fourth year (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 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow. 
• 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 – Circular Plastics team
Circular Plastics focuses on polymer engineering and science to improve the recycling of plastics, with an emphasis on mechanical recycling. Scientifically, we investigate polymers from macromolecular interactions up to macroscopic behaviour in both liquid and solid states to identify where and how recycled plastics can be enhanced. Industrially, we translate this science into applications to support companies in increasing both the quality and quantity of plastics recycling.
 

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact assistant professor Dr. Ali Gooneie at ali.gooneie@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD Candidate | Department of Circular Chemical Engineering | Circular Plastics team? Apply now for this position. We accept applications until the vacancy is filled.

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list, and publication list. Also, please upload a short essay (max 500 words) explaining how your background is specifically suitable for this position.

Note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

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.