Job Information
Organisation/Company: Nanjing Tech University
Department: School of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering
Research Field: Engineering » Materials engineering; Chemistry » Organic chemistry; Chemistry » Physical chemistry; Engineering » Computer engineering; Computer science » Systems design
Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)
Positions: Postdoc Positions
Application Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 - 00:00 (Asia/Hong_Kong)
Country: China
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 40
Offer Starting Date: 1 Aug 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes
Offer Description
The Bio-based Materials Research Team at Nanjing Tech University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the high-value reuse of recycled polyamides through the integration of polymer physics, reactive processing and AI for Science.
The project will focus primarily on PA6 and PA66 recovered from post-industrial or post-consumer sources.
Recycled polyamides frequently exhibit molecular-weight loss, end-group imbalance, hydrolytic and thermo-oxidative degradation, unstable melt viscosity, altered crystallisation behaviour and reduced processing stability. Feedstock variability, contamination and differences in processing history further complicate their reuse in high-performance products.
The project aims to establish an integrated research framework linking:
feedstock characterisation, molecular reconstruction, reactive processing, morphology control, AI-assisted optimisation and product validation.
The successful candidate will develop experimental, computational or data-driven methods for restoring the processability and performance of recycled polyamides.
Research Project
AI-Enabled Chain Reconstruction, Processing and High-Value Reuse of Recycled PA6 and PA66
The project will investigate how feedstock quality, molecular degradation, formulation and processing conditions jointly determine the physical behaviour and final performance of recycled polyamides.
The research will cover the following interconnected tasks.
1. Chain Reconstruction and Reactive Processing
The project will develop methods to restore molecular weight, melt strength and processing stability.
2. AI for Science and Data-Driven Optimisation
AI methods will be integrated directly into the experimental and processing workflow.
Research may include:
- prediction of viscosity, crystallinity and mechanical properties;
- machine learning and graph neural networks;
- Bayesian optimisation and active learning;
- interpretable machine learning;
- multi-objective optimisation of performance, recycled content, cost and energy consumption;
- recommendation of new formulations and processing conditions;
- integration of experimental, molecular-simulation and processing data.
3. Processing and Product Validation
Optimised formulations will be evaluated through practical processing routes, potentially including:
- reactive extrusion;
- injection moulding;
- melt spinning;
- fibre drawing and heat setting;
- composite processing;
- mechanical and thermal testing;
- processability evaluation under variable feedstock conditions.
Target applications may include recycled engineering plastics, recycled polyamide fibres, polyamide/polyester blends and high-performance polymer composites.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- develop and conduct an independent postdoctoral research project;
- design and carry out experiments, simulations or data-driven studies;
- analyse structure–processing–morphology–property relationships;
- develop formulations, datasets, models or processing methods;
- prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
- present research results at academic conferences;
- contribute to research proposals and project reports;
- participate in interdisciplinary and industrial collaborations;
- assist in supervising postgraduate and undergraduate students;
- contribute to product validation or technology-transfer activities.
Employment Conditions and Support
The appointment is a full-time postdoctoral position for a fixed term of two years.
The gross annual salary will be between RMB 250,000 and RMB 500,000, depending on the candidate’s qualifications, research achievements, experience and eligibility for institutional or talent-support programmes.
The position is available immediately, and the successful candidate is expected to start as soon as practicable.
The successful candidate will also receive:
- access to polymer characterisation, processing and computational facilities;
- support for developing an independent research direction;
- opportunities to participate in national and industrial research projects;
- support for applications to the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation;
- assistance with applications to national, provincial and municipal talent programmes;
- opportunities for academic and industrial collaboration;
- support for technology transfer and product development;
- career development support for future academic or industrial positions.
Outstanding postdoctoral researchers may be considered for future academic opportunities at Nanjing Tech University, subject to institutional recruitment policies and evaluation procedures.
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit the following documents in English:
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- A complete publication list
- Copies or links to representative publications
- A brief summary of previous research achievements
- A one- to two-page statement of research interests and proposed contribution to the project
- Contact details of two academic referees
- Supporting materials demonstrating experimental, computational or industrial experience, 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:
Postdoctoral Application – Full Name – Recycled Polyamides and AI for Science
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is 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: Engineering » Materials engineering
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Research Field: Chemistry » Organic chemistry
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, or be close to completing, a PhD in one of the following or a related discipline:
- polymer science and engineering;
- polymer physics;
- materials science;
- polymer processing;
- computational materials science;
- computational chemistry;
- artificial intelligence;
- materials informatics;
- data science.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- strong research training relevant to the project;
- the ability to conduct independent and collaborative research;
- experience in scientific writing and data analysis;
- a record of peer-reviewed publications or relevant technological achievements;
- good communication skills in English;
- an interest in interdisciplinary research combining materials experiments, processing, simulation and data science.
Specific Requirements
Desirable Experience
Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:
- PA6 or PA66 materials;
- polymer crystallisation and rheology;
- reactive extrusion and chain extension;
- polymer blending and compatibilisation;
- melt spinning;
- polymer composites;
- molecular dynamics;
- machine learning;
- high-throughput screening;
- polymer databases;
- industrial scale-up or product development.
Candidates are not expected to have expertise in every area. Applicants with a strong experimental polymer-processing background or a strong computational and AI background are both encouraged to apply.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good
Languages: CHINESE
Level: Good
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 5
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
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