PhD position in design for recycling and effective/secure sealing of high-barrier mono-material flexible packaging films

Job title:

PhD position in design for recycling and effective/secure sealing of high-barrier mono-material flexible packaging films

Company:

Universiteit Twente

Job description

Hours40 hr.Salary indicationSalary gross/monthly
based on full-time€ 2,770 – € 3,539Deadline1 Aug 2024The tasks of PhD position includes identifying and developing barrier solutions that do not affect recycling, replacing disruptive additives, constructing high barrier film structures for modified atmosphere packaging and assessing the improvements in recyclability and sustainability. Additionally, optimizing seal quality in mono-material films by improving sealing methods, and analyzing the impact of additives on seal quality are among the responsibilities of the PhD candidate.The challengeWell defined recyclability and re-design challenges of the traditional multi-material films are driving packaging industry away from conventional barrier materials towards polyolefin-based mono-material films that stand out with their easier recyclability. Although these films mainly consists of layers of the same type of polymer, they can still contain various barrier coatings, EVOH, PVOH, Acrylic, SiOx, AlOx, metalized layers, insoluble fillers and additives within a specific limit to achieve required functionality. These impurities still limits the full circularity of mono-material films since quality and quantity of recycled products drop over time due to changing melt-flow index and processability, accelerating thermal-oxidative degradation.Moreover, heat sealing process of high barrier mono-material (HBMM) films is challenging due to similar melting temperature ranges of the polymer layers. This leads to layer merging, sticking to seal bars, and damage on the barrier properties leading to food waste. Solving these issues via innovative sealing methods and achieving desired seal functions, such as easy-peel, without using disruptive additives requires more research.The project is executed in cooperation with companies. This means that traveling and meetings with industry experts will be part of the research.Your profile

• A master’s degree in Material Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemistry or a similar related discipline
• Excellent experimental skills on material characterisation and polymer processing
• Experienced in the field of polymer recycling and additives
• Preferably have a good understanding on food safety and food contact materials
• A strong creative but analytical mind, an eye for detail, and a critical attitude toward the assessment of experimental results
• High degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers, industry partners and other staff
• Passionate about learning new concepts and doing original research
• Able to discuss research findings with industry, flexibility in research planning on base of the findings
• Independent in traveling throughout the country and eventually to conferences in other countries
• Fluent in English and express yourself easily in speech and in writing.

Our offer

• You will be appointed to a full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year.
• You will join a very stimulating and exciting scientific environment
• You are offered a professional and personal development program within Graduate School Twente
• A starting salary of € 2.770,- gross per month in the first year and increasing to a salary of € 3.539,- in the fourth year gross per month
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme
• A minimum of 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment.

Information and applicationPlease submit your application before August 2nd, 2024 by using the “Apply now” button. Applications should at least include the following:

• Letter of motivation and/or research interest
• Curriculum vitae
• List, with grades, of courses from both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• References and, if applicable, a list of publications.

For more information, please contact dr. Ilknur Ilhan (i.ilhan@utwente.nl)The first round of interviews will take place in the last week of August.Share this vacancyAbout the organisationThe Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first’ university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor’s and Master’s students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.Want to know moreIlhan, I. (Ilknur)
Assistant ProfessorIlhan, I. (Ilknur)
Assistant ProfessorDo you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Ilknur for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Expected salary

€2770 per month

Location

Enschede, Overijssel

Job date

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 04:16:40 GMT

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