Chemodesign of polysaccharide- microgels

Chemical Engineering Department/ Faculty of Engineering Science

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Department Chemical Engineering Department/ Faculty of Engineering Science Research Field Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry Chemistry » Physical chemistry Engineering » Chemical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Belgium Final date to receive applications 30 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Jun 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number BAP
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Polysaccharide microgels are versatile materials with unique properties that make them suitable for a wide range of applications, including texturizing foods and encapsulating active ingredients. In this project:

You will design polysaccharide-based microgel particles with various chemical and physicochemical functionalities and controlled characteristics (size, rheology, properties).

You will investigate the mechanisms behind irreversible changes during drying and rewetting of your microgels.

You will study structural changes from intermolecular rearrangement to particle shrinkage.

You will link microstructural changes to dispersion rheology and encapsulation properties.

You will gain access to cutting-edge technology in biopolymer fabrication and functionalization.

You will collaborate with world-class experts in biopolymer and biomaterial technology.

• A master degree in Engineering, Biosciences or Chemistry
• Excellent skills in planning and performing laboratory work
• Independence, perseverance and positive attitude towards challenges and opportunities
• Curiosity and openness to discover new breakthroughs
• Interest to collaborate with top level international researchers and to advance new sustainable technologies for biomaterials
• English language skills in reading, listening, writing and speaking
• Doctoral degree after 3 to 4 years of independent research and attending courses
• Top 50 University in the world, Top 10 in Europe
• Excellent opportunities of collaboration with world-classtop scientists
• Doctoral degree in collaboration with a international universities, research institutes and companies
• Excellent job opportunities after completion of PhD
• Doctoral degree after 3 to 4 years of independent research and attending courses
• Top 50 University in the world, Top 10 in Europe
• Excellent opportunities of collaboration with world-classtop scientists
• Doctoral degree in collaboration with a international universities, research institutes and companies
• Excellent job opportunities after completion of PhD

• A master degree in Engineering, Biosciences or Chemistry
• Excellent skills in planning and performing laboratory work
• Independence, perseverance and positive attitude towards challenges and opportunities
• Curiosity and openness to discover new breakthroughs
• Interest to collaborate with top level international researchers and to advance new sustainable technologies for biomaterials
• English language skills in reading, listening, writing and speaking