荷兰瓦格宁根大学博士后职位---生物基胶粘剂

荷兰瓦格宁根大学博士后职位---生物基胶粘剂

Postdoctoral researcher with interest in biobased adhesives

Wageningen University

Description

What will you be doing? We, the Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter Laboratory (PCC), have an open postdoctoral position available in the research domain of biobased 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 postdocs striving for scientific excellence within the stated science domain. Simultaneously, you will develop your own research vision and ideas, and talent in supervision and establishing new collaborations. This position offers extensive scientific freedom to pursue your own interests and obtain preliminary data as you are expected to pursue your own funding opportunities. You are expected to apply for your own funding (e.g NWO talent program Veni). You will be provided with coaching and mentorship in grant writing. You will be offered the ability to work closely together with existing PhD candidates within PCC to develop your own leadership and mentorship abilities.

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. We understand that you are triggered and want to apply immediately. Please read the 'Do you want to apply' section below for more guidance.

SCIENCIFIC OUTLINE The flat oyster reefs have disappeared due to overfishing and destructive bottom trawling. Reintroduction of hard substrate is needed to kickstart oyster reef formation, and often concrete is used for robust structures, however, it has a high CO2 footprint and requires a significant amount of materials. For oyster larvae, wasted oyster shells are the ideal substrate for oyster larvae to settle. Individual shells, however, do not make a reef; they must be held together. Adhesive technology is infrequently used in wet environments as water is detrimental to the performance by promoting swelling of the material or weakening the contact with the adherend. Marine sandcastle worms have solved these issues using proteinaceous complex coacervate glues to form extremely durable underwater structures. Inspired by these natural solutions, you will work with a diverse team of researchers to develop a bio- inspired complex coacervated-based alternative for cement that binds oyster shells together. You will produce different versions of this adhesive material for direct application testing, including based on more fine shells that will mimic the function of concrete for creating dedicated functional and interlocking structures. Pilot research has shown promising results regarding adhesive performance and oyster larval deposition and survival.

Requirements

Besides your willingness to learn, mentor PhD students, presentation skills  and ambition:

  you have a PhD in a relevant field for PCC. Postdoc experience is a bonus;

  you have the ambition to pursue an academic scientific career;

  you have the ability and ambition to establish new international collaborations within and between research groups at WUR;

  of course you are fluent in English (C2 level).