Your job
Your PhD project will build complementary developments between Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter and Laboratory of Biophysics research groups at WUR synthetic bio-inspired polymers and multi-scale modelling and on in situ MRI techniques and creating an interdepartmental team, of two PhD candidates, capable of unravelling these hierarchical mechanisms in self-healing. You will become part of this interdisciplinary team at the intersection of chemistry and physics and will answer this fundamental question: while a material is just a collection of individual chemical bonds, how do these bonds coordinate and dynamically adapt, at the meso-scale, to restore the macroscopic physical integrity of the material?
As a PhD candidate will you be responsible for:
- Fabricate self-healing materials by synthesizing functional macromolecular unit to form a polymeric network
- Mechanical (rheology, tensiometry) explanation of self-healing at multiple length scales
- Confocal/optical microscopy of materials during shear
- Relate mechanical and optical results to MRI results developed by the PhD colleague at Laboratory of Biophysics
- Analyze, interpret, and link results from multiple experimental techniques
- Prepare and present scientific results to project group meetings and the broad scientific community
We, the Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter Laboratory (PCC), have an open PhD candidate position available in the research domain of functional synthetic self-healing materials. Your role will be to strengthen and establish promising collaborative research lines in PCC and at Wageningen University and Research (WUR). You will be part of a team of experienced and ambitious PhD candidates striving for scientific excellence within the stated science domain. This position offers extensive supervised, scientific freedom. You will work closely together another PhD candidate within the Biophysics laboratory
PCC is a group of likeminded scientists interested in phenomena where creative chemistry is essential, complex physics is a rule rather than an exception and biology comes to life.
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We understand that you are triggered and want to apply immediately. Please read the ‘Do you want to apply’ section below for more guidance.
Your qualities
You are an ambitious and enthusiastic scientist.:
You possess:
- A successfully completed MSc degree in Physical or synthetic chemistry, Physics, Material Science, or Biotechnology:
- A strong interest in working in the field of experimental Soft Matter
- Research experience in synthetic chemistry and the chemistry of materials
- Experience in optical and confocal microscopy and familiarity with data processing
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills
For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognized Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.
We offer you
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.541,- per month rising to € 3.247,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.
There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 18th consecutive time.
Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research’s International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling. For instance under the “30% rule”, certain categories of international staff can receive tax exemption on approximately 30% of their gross salary.
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Thomas Kodger, assistant professor, by e-mail thomas.kodger@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, recruiter, by phone +31 317 480571 or by e-mail rutger.voorrips@wur.nl.
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Please note that the letter we require should be a tailored motivation letter to this position.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including September 3rd 2023. If we have spoken to suitable candidates before the deadline, we will close the vacancy earlier. So don’t wait with your application.
Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.
We are
Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.