Job description
Are you fascinated by colors and how these arise from their microscopic components? Do you want to work on optimizing colors in printing inks? In this collaborative MustInk project of the TU/e and Canon Production Printing we are looking for two candidates who will explore the origin of color and aim to control structural colors in printing inks.
Job Description
Inks are complex media composed of solvents, pigments, dyes, lubricants, resins, nanoparticles and other materials. The exact composition of these materials forming the ink serve several purposes, such as controlling the thickness of the films, modifying the drying speed or influencing the final appearance of the surface. The most important property of inks is the dry color appearance, which comprises aspects such as the homogeneity of the color over large areas and the stability of the ink. Dry inks typically consist of a distribution of pigments in a polymer matrix that influences the color appearance. Structural changes in this matrix during the drying process or induced afterwards by e.g. heating, modify this appearance. Therefore, understanding and controlling the different mechanisms that define the color of inks from the nanometer to the macroscopic scales will provide the necessary knowledge to improve inks and reduce the use of pigments.
In this MustInk project, we are looking for two PhD candidates to investigate printing inks in terms of layer structure, morphology and optical properties, and correlate via scattering models these properties to the macroscopic color and gloss appearance of the dried ink films. The two PhD candidates will work together on a multi-scale investigation of the structural parameters of inks on a wide range of scales: from the nanometer to define the distribution of pigments and polymer particles, up to the macroscopic scale to describe the homogeneity of inks using different techniques, (SEM(-FIB), (super-resolution) optical microscopy, Fourier hyperspectral imaging, large-area scatterometry, enhanced backscattering, etc.). These measurements will be combined with calculations/simulations of the reflectance spectrum and color appearance to correlate the structural parameters to the full color appearance and gloss of the dried inks. By covering this range of length scales and combining these techniques, we aim to understand the influence of all components and predict the optimum parameters for designed colors.
This MustInk project is a collaboration between the TU/e and Canon production printing (CPP). The proposed research will be carried out mainly at TU/e in the Surface Photonics group at the capacity research group Photonic and Semiconductor Nanophysics (Prof. Jaime Gómez Rivas), the Colloidal Soft Matter group at the capacity research group Soft Matter and Biological Physics (Dr. Janne-Mieke Meijer) and the capacity group Fluid and Flows (dr. Nicolae Tomozeiu) at the Applied Physics and Science Education Department, in collaboration with Canon Production Printing (dr. Nicolae Tomozeiu and Eng D. Ir. Hélder Salvador).
Job requirements
- A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in physics, physical chemistry, or similar.
- Experience with optics and/or material characterization methods.
- Affinity for complex calculations and simulations.
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and to collaborate with industrial partners.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
Conditions of employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
- Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
- Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P.
- A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
- High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children’s day care and sports facilities.
- An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.
Information and application
About us
Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.
Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.
nformation
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact Janne-Mieke Meijer, j.m.meijer[at]tue.nl or Jaime Gómez Rivas, J.Gomez.Rivas[at]tue.nl.
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.flux[at]tue.nl.
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.
Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:
- Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
- Curriculum vitae, including the contact information of two references.
- Academic transcripts.
We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the positions are filled.