PhD position Wood Materials Science - DC11: Electrically conductive bio-based materials - within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) RE-Fibre

This doctoral position is offered by the Wood Materials Science group within the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) RE-Fibre project.

RE-Fibre is a Doctoral Network funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-DN) that aims to revolutionize Bio-fibre composite landscape by designing high-performance, fully renewable, and recyclable wood and plant fibre materials. RE-Fibre will train 11 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) with an entrepreneurial and sustainability-mindset in the disciplines of green/lignin chemistry, new biobased materials, and environmental systems science.

The DCs will build on ground-breaking findings being generated at the RE-Fibre consortium, to enable the development of fully recyclable functional biobased composites with properties on par with fossil-based counterparts. They will gain competencies, not only in a breakthrough scientific field but also in interdisciplinary and interpersonal skills. Additionally, they will expand their network and gain experience through participating in secondments (research stays at a site of an academic or industrial partner). Finally, DCs will learn the best practices by developing online research and training tools, enabling them to work and collaborate across academic and industrial sectors. RE-Fibre training will contribute to DCs employability as future leaders, while supporting the green transition and a sustainable circular economy in Europe.

Key objectives include:

• Develop electrically conductive lignin-bio-fiber materials by utilizing functionalized lignin as a precursor
• Produce optimized inks for highly efficient lasering processes using functionalized lignin oligomers
• Analyze the materials produced by state-of-the-art methodology

This offer includes the following secondments:

• University of Graz (6 months): Lignin functionalization and development of samples for electrical conducitivty
• Anton Paar (4 months): Analysis techniques for the characterization of electrically conductive surfaces

Required education level: Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Wood Science

Preferred background: Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Wood Science

Specific Requirements:

There are strict eligibility requirements for the DC positions in MSCA-Doctoral Networks (DNs). Please ensure to be qualified before applying, as ineligible candidates cannot be considered.

• Admission to the program is open to applicants who hold a 2nd Level Master Degree (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a bachelor degree) or a Single Cycle Degree (minimum 300 ECTS), or a comparable university degree (Second Cycle qualification), as required by the partner universities for admission to doctoral studies.  
• At the time of recruitment applicants must not have been awarded a doctorate.
• At the time of recruitment applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before their recruitment date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Applicant must be able to communicate fluently in English (at least B2-level speaking and writing).

The Supervisory Board will pay special attention to respect gender balance.

Language

• English (Level should be excellent)

• Your career with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
• We are actively committed to a sustainable and climate-neutral university.
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits.