Postdoc Position: Automated Rheology of Viscoelastic Materials

1. Introduction

The Big Chemistry consortium is building a self-driving robot lab to automate the study and development of complex, multicomponent formulations. In this position, you will develop an automated platform to determine the rheological properties of viscoelastic materials, such as gels and creams, at unprecedented throughputs. Recent research has shown that combining different components and additives in viscoelastic materials can generate unexpected material properties, and we have only started scratching the surface of rationally introducing these properties in synthetic materials.

2. Job description

You will take charge of developing and implementing an automated platform for rheological characterisation of viscoelastic materials. You will then use the platform to characterise multicomponent viscoelastic materials composed of polymers, small-molecule gelators and small-molecule additives. Together with computational specialists within the consortium, you will implement an active learning workflow to efficiently map the full compositional space of the materials. You will ultimately use your insights to uncover new material properties and design compositions for desired mechanics in a targeted way.

The project is part of a new, interdisciplinary Robot Lab initiative at Radboud University. Your position at both the Mabesoone lab and Kouwer lab is embedded within a larger, national team of research groups that brings together chemists, engineers and computer scientists to make the Robot Lab a reality. You will present your work at national and international conferences and workshops and communicate your results through peer-reviewed articles. Furthermore, you will be supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s students, and we actively support you taking on a mentorship role for other, junior researchers.

3. Profile

• You are about to obtain a PhD or have recently obtained a PhD degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical or mechanical engineering, or a similar field.
• You have experience in rheology or other soft matter characterisation methods, such as viscometry, and experience  or an interest in automation and programming.
• You know how to take the lead in your project, but you are also happy to support others in their work.
• Ideally, you have experience with machine learning or computational statistics or are eager to learn.
• Experience or affinity with constructing basic electrical circuits is a plus.
• You flourish in a team-centered, multicultural and international environment and you can communicate your work clearly to diverse scientific colleagues.
• You are fully proficient in English.

4. We are

This postdoctoral position is part of the newly founded National Growth Fund programme Big Chemistry, in which teams of chemists, computer scientists and engineers across several research institutes in the Netherlands develop cutting-edge automated chemical laboratories for soft materials discovery and formulations. You will be embedded within the Physical Organic Chemistry department at Radboud University, where you will be surrounded by a group of scientists from highly diverse fields, ranging from computer science to chemical biology.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 1 year, with the possibility of an extension for another year.
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Mathijs Mabesoone. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. Applications will be reviewed during the recruitment period. Therefore, you will receive feedback and information about a possible follow-up process shortly. 

The first interviews will take place on Tuesday 15 April. Any second interview will take place on Monday 28 April. You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible.

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