The successful candidates will join the Bio-based Materials Research Team and develop independent research programmes focused on the physical behaviour, processing and intelligent design of polyester and polyamide materials.

Rather than covering polymer science broadly, the positions are centred on specific scientific and technological challenges involving molecular structure, condensed-state organisation, processing-induced structural evolution, material performance and AI-assisted materials design.

Candidates are expected to develop internationally competitive research in one or more of the following project areas.

Proposed Research Projects

Project 1: Multiscale Structure and Deformation Physics of Polyester-Based Elastomers

This project investigates how the molecular structure and sequence distribution of polyester soft segments affect the condensed-state structure and mechanical behaviour of polyurethane elastomers and elastic fibres.

Research topics may include:

• microphase separation of polyester-based polyurethane elastomers;
• hydrogen-bond formation, dissociation and reconstruction;
• chain orientation during stretching and recovery;
• crystallisation and strain-induced structural evolution;
• stress relaxation, cyclic deformation and elastic recovery;
• relationships among soft-segment composition, hard-domain structure and macroscopic performance;
• in situ SAXS/WAXS, spectroscopy, rheology and multiscale simulation.

The aim is to establish quantitative relationships linking molecular structure, phase-separated morphology, deformation mechanisms and elastic performance.

Project 2: Reconstruction and High-Value Reuse of Recycled Polyamides

This project addresses the molecular-weight loss, end-group imbalance, hydrolytic degradation, thermo-oxidative damage, unstable melt viscosity and altered crystallisation behaviour of recycled PA6 and PA66.

Research topics may include:

• digital characterisation and classification of recycled polyamide feedstocks;
• reactive extrusion, chain extension, branching and stabilisation;
• restoration of melt strength and processing stability;
• reactive compatibilisation of polyamide/polyester blends;
• morphology and interface control in recycled polymer systems;
• machine-learning prediction of rheological, thermal and mechanical properties;
• integration of experimental, simulation and processing data;
• product validation in engineering plastics, fibres and polymer composites.

The project aims to establish an integrated framework linking feedstock quality, molecular reconstruction, processing conditions, morphology and final performance.

Project 3: AI for Science in Polyester and Polyamide Materials Design

This project develops data-driven and physics-informed methods for the design and processing of polyester and polyamide materials.

Research topics may include:

• polymer structure representation and materials databases;
• automated molecular-model construction;
• high-throughput molecular dynamics simulations;
• graph neural networks and multimodal learning;
• prediction of crystallisation, rheology, mechanical properties and solvent response;
• interpretable machine learning for structure–property relationships;
• inverse design of polymer composition, sequence and formulation;
• active-learning-guided experiments;
• integration of molecular simulation, experimental data and processing data.

Particular emphasis will be placed on AI models that address real experimental and industrial problems rather than purely computational benchmark tasks.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• establish and lead an independent research programme;
• conduct internationally visible research in polyester or polyamide materials;
• develop interdisciplinary projects integrating experiment, processing, simulation and data science;
• publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals;
• apply for competitive national and international research funding;
• supervise doctoral, postgraduate and undergraduate researchers;
• contribute to teaching and curriculum development;
• collaborate with academic and industrial partners;
• promote the translation of research findings into materials, processes or products;
• contribute to the academic development of the College and the University.

What We Offer

Successful candidates will receive support in accordance with the policies of Nanjing Tech University and the College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering.

The support may include:

• a competitive salary and benefits package;
• research start-up funding;
• access to polymer synthesis, processing, characterisation and computational facilities;
• support for establishing an independent research group;
• assistance with applications for national and provincial research funding;
• support for applications to relevant talent programmes;
• opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary and industrial research projects;
• support for technology transfer, engineering development and product validation;
• long-term academic and professional development opportunities.

Eligible overseas candidates may receive support when applying for the NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) and other relevant national or regional talent programmes, subject to programme requirements.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit the following documents in English:

1. A detailed curriculum vitae
2. A complete publication and research-output list
3. Three to five representative publications or research achievements
4. A summary of previous research contributions
5. A three- to five-page future research plan
6. A statement indicating the proposed research project and position level
7. Contact details of two or three academic referees
8. Supporting materials demonstrating technological, computational or industrial achievements, where applicable

Applications should be sent to:

Professor Jin Huang
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering
Nanjing Tech University
Email: jinhuang@njtech.edu.cn

Please use the following email subject line:

Faculty Application – Full Name – Proposed Research Project

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

Nanjing Tech University welcomes applications from qualified candidates of all nationalities and backgrounds.

Where to apply

E-mail: jinhuang@njtech.edu.cn

Requirements

Research Field: Chemistry » Organic chemistry — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Engineering » Materials engineering — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Computer science » Systems design — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Engineering » Computer engineering — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should:

• hold a PhD in polymer science, polymer physics, materials science, chemical engineering, polymer processing, computational materials science, artificial intelligence or a related discipline;
• have a strong research record appropriate to the level of appointment;
• demonstrate the ability to establish an independent and internationally competitive research programme;
• have a record of high-quality publications, technological achievements or relevant industrial research and development;
• demonstrate effective scientific communication and collaboration skills;
• be willing to work across disciplinary boundaries.

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:

• polyester or polyamide materials;
• polymer crystallisation;
• polymer rheology and viscoelasticity;
• elastomer physics;
• reactive extrusion;
• melt spinning;
• polymer blending and compatibilisation;
• high-throughput screening;
• industrial scale-up and product development.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 2

Company/Institute: Nanjing Tech University

Country: China

City: Nanjing

Contact

State/Province: Jiangsu Sheng

City: Nanjing

Website: https://www.njtech.edu.cn/

Street: Puzhu Road 30

Postal Code: 210000

E-Mail: jinhuang@njtech.edu.cn