"Assistant Professor Sustainable Polymer Synthesis and Digitization"

Job Description

The Assistant Professor position is available in the Sustainable Polymer Synthesis group of the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Maastricht University. The Sustainable Polymer Synthesis group focusses on the synthesis and design of polymer materials with tunable properties and recyclability exploiting the functionality of biobased building blocks.

You should be a strong experimental polymer chemist with a focus on sustainable polymer synthesis. Given the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in this field of research you should have demonstrated affinity with AI-driven approaches in the context of experimental polymer science/ sustainable polymer synthesis and prediction of structure–property relationships.

Your profile ideally combines experimental polymer science/sustainable polymer synthesis with AI-tools to accelerate design, discovery and synthesis of sustainable polymer materials. This emerging field plays a key role in the transition towards Industry 4.0, where digital technologies, automation, and intelligent systems are key to transform chemical manufacturing, moving away from a fossil-fuel based economy.

Depending on your specific experimental expertise, your research focuses on one of the following (non-limiting) or is complementary to the current activities within the Sustainable Polymer Synthesis group and other groups at AMIBM:

• High-throughput polymer synthesis or modification, for example via flow chemistry;
• Enzymes for polymerization and polymer modification, leveraging biocatalysis for green and selective synthesis of sustainable polymers;
• Functional polymer synthesis for energy, electronics, or catalysis, linking sustainable polymer synthesis with advanced functional applications.

You will set up and develop an independent, cutting-edge research line in line with the profile described. Within the Sustainable Polymer Synthesis group, you will contribute lab management in close collaboration with the prinicple investigator and you are interested in working closely with other research groups at AMIBM. You will benefit from our state-of-the-art research infrastructure and the technical support of our dedicated staff at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, the Netherlands, where our laboratories are located. You will spend part of your time teaching and contributing to the development of new courses. Lastly, you will contribute to the organization of the faculty and institute at large, for example by participating in committees or performing important administrative tasks.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply if you have:

• A PhD degree in polymer chemistry, materials science or closely related fields;
• Proven track record in polymer synthesis and affinity with digitization (artificial intelligence) in the field of polymer chemistry;
• 2 to 5 years (international) postdoctoral experience, preferably in another lab than where you received your PhD degree;
• Excellent research qualities, as shown by high-quality publications, presentations at renowned conferences, ability to acquire (personal) funding or obtaining awards;
• You are an excellent teacher, motivated to teach students both knowledge and skills, in line with UM’s educational vision;
• You have demonstrable leadership skills and management experience;
• Relevant international network;
• Excellent knowledge of scientific English is required as it is our working language. Knowledge of Dutch is not required at this stage, but candidates should be willing to learn Dutch.

And you are:

• Passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration;
• A team player that can work well in international, diverse environments;
• Willing to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (Dutch: BKO) within 18 months;
• Able to acquire external competitive funding both for fundamental research and research in public/private partnerships.

What We Offer

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 18-month contract with the prospect of a permanent contract based on mutual satisfaction.
• A gross monthly salary between €4728,00 and €6433,00 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
• Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
• A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE)

FSE is a young, rapidly growing faculty where science, technology, and society converge. We combine STEM and social sciences in innovative programmes such as Data Science, Circular Engineering, and Systems Biology. Our research and education are interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, and socially relevant. We take pride in our open culture and strong team spirit.

Department

The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is a department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at Maastricht University. AMIBM is a European cross-border research institute established by Maastricht University and RWTH Aachen University focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials. The mission of AMIBM is to replace traditional polymer building blocks with innovative and sustainable alternatives for the development of novel and environmentally-beneficial materials. AMIBM promotes world-class multidisciplinary research in the field of biobased materials, by training PhD students with the multiple skills needed to be future leaders in the field, and creating the research breakthroughs that will enable the utilization of sustainable and renewable materials for advanced materials applications. The multidisciplinary team draws together scientists with expertise in organic chemistry, biocatalysis, lead finding of new biobased blocks, polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer engineering, biobased and biomedical materials, tissue engineering, and industrial and medical applications. More information can be found via https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/institutes/amibm/research/

Research Group Sustainable Polymer Synthesis

Main research focus is on the design and synthesis of sustainable polymer materials with tuneable properties for the circular economy. Sustainability entails biobased building blocks (but no biorefinery) instead of fossil raw materials, green routes for polymer synthesis and processing, as well as chemical recycling/reprocessing methods (biodegradability, depolymerization, dynamic bonds) to make the end-of-life of polymers more sustainable. Structure-property relationships of the resulting polymers are evaluated in several fields of application e.g. stimuli-responsive polymers, coatings, fibres, engineering plastics and biomedical materials. Growing focus on the use of artificial intelligence techniques to support and accelerate the experimental work, e.g. data interpretation and prediction of structure-property relationships. https://sustainablepolymersynthesis.com/

Applying

To apply, please click on the Apply now button and submit:

• A cover letter (max. 2 pages) highlighting your accomplishments as related to the aforementioned description of the candidate
• A CV (including a complete list of publications)
• A research plan with attention to the development of an own research line complementary to the research activities in the sustainable polymer synthesis group and AMIBM, with attention to collaboration with research groups at AMIBM (max. 4 pages)
• Your vision on academic teaching and the organization thereof (max. 2 pages)
• Your contribution to service activities (internal representation via participation in councils and administrative bodies, contribution to the society from research and education point of view, science communication, …) (max. 1 page)
• Your vision on leadership (max. 1 page)
• The names of 3–4 people who could be contacted (only upon your explicit approval) for a reference

We will recruit until the position is filled. The selection process commences immediately, but will close when a suitable candidate has been found, even if this prior to the final date of the application window. 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.