PhD position on polymer brush coatings for electro-chemical processes.

• • Vacancies • PhD position on polymer brush coatings for electro-chemical processes.To vacancy overviewApply now • • • • • TNWPhDPhD position on polymer brush coatings for electro-chemical processes.Are you passionate about polymers and electrochemistry? Do you care about a sustainable society, with clean water for everyone? We offer a challenging PhD position in the Functional Polymer Surfaces team within the Department of Molecules and Materials, where you will work on exactly these topics.Apply now • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Marcel Karperien • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Srirang Manohar • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Pieter Tuchter • Hi! Are you my new colleague?Sonia García Blanco • • • • Key takeaways • Hours 38 - 40 hr. • Salary indicationSalary gross/monthly based on full-time € 3,204 - € 4,051 • Deadline 31 Aug 2026 Water is indispensable to modern society. It is used in our homes, in food production, and throughout the chemical and processing industries. However, many industrial water-based processes rely on chemical additives such as cleaning agents, acids, bases, antiscalants, rinse aids, and other processing chemicals. While effective, these substances ultimately should not enter wastewater streams, making treatment more complex, energy intensive, and costly. Therefore, we propose a different solution. Rather than removing these chemicals after use, a more sustainable strategy is to redesign industrial processes so that fewer, or ideally no, chemical processing aids are required in the first place. To tackle this challenge, researchers from five universities, University of Twente (coordinator), TU Delft, Wageningen University & Research, the University of Groningen, and the University of Copenhagen, will join forces with industrial partners including Nobian and Avebe. Together, we aim to develop innovative technologies that enable cleaner and more sustainable industrial water use. As a PhD candidate, you will develop novel nanometer-thin polymer coatings, known as polymer brushes, that can control surface interactions and prevent fouling in electrochemical systems. You will design, synthesize, and characterize sustainable and durable polymer brush coatings with tailored functionalities, such as antifouling behavior and selective molecular interactions. You will then integrate these coatings into table-top test setups for electrochemical separation and cleaning-in-place processes and investigate how they improve process efficiency while reducing or eliminating the need for chemical additives. Through this work, you will contribute to the development of next-generation water treatment technologies that support a more sustainable and circular industry. Your profile • You are an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher, who enjoys working in a chemical laboratory. • You have, or will shortly, acquire a master degree in the field of chemical science and / or engineering. • You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills. • You have a good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment. • You are proficient in English. Our offer • A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year. • Access to novel research facilities, including the top-tier NanoLab. • Professional and personal development, by supportive mentorship in an inclusive and collaborative environment. • Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU). • You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.204,- (first year) to € 4.051,- (fourth year). • There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme. • A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. • A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis. • Free access to sports facilities on campus. • A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid). Information and application Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button before August 31, and should include: • A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position. • A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references. • An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact (Sissi de Beer, s.j.a.debeer@utwente.nl) Apply nowShare this vacancy • • • • About the department You will be embedded in the Functional Polymer Surfaces lab within the Department of Molecules and Materials, of the Faculty of Science & Technology and the MESA+ Institute. Our lab has a strong history in translating fundamental polymer science to technological applications. We study the properties of functional polymer surfaces, with a particular focus on polymer brushes. These coatings can be employed in advanced sensor platforms and in separation technologies that enable the transition to a circular economy. About the organisation The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute. Want to know more?Beer, S.J.A. de (Sissi) Associate ProfessorBeer, S.J.A. de (Sissi) Associate ProfessorDo you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Sissi for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.ContactPhone:+31534893170Email:s.j.a.debeer@utwente.nl How to applyStep 1Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.Apply nowStep 2Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.Step 31st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.Step 42nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.Step 5The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer. If applicable, we will sign you up for screening. Your Colleagues • Diepenbroek, E.J.B. (Esli)Personal page About the TNW FacultyCurious about what the Faculty of Science and Technology (TNW) stands for? Check out the Science and Technology website for more information.Go to the TNW websiteA job that mattersCreate new opportunities for yourself, your colleagues and our society. Scientist or teacher, administrator or facilitator, thinker or doer, energetic leader or silent support – your work at the University of Twente matters. And you too!Stories from UT"ers • • • Our mission Human TouchAt the University of Twente, technology is all about people. We call this High Tech, Human Touch. This same belief is reflected in the way the Human Resources department operates. We believe that a strong organization starts with people who are given the space to grow, take initiative, and make a difference. That is why we are building a working environment in which everyone can thrive. • Our mission We are a university of technologyOur university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world. • Our mission We help to strengthen societyWe help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life. • Our mission We are sustainableWe want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability. “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.” Browse all jobs