Researcher Polymer Science

Researcher Polymer Science and Applications

• 0,4 - 1 fte

Breda

Use your expertise in polymer chemistry to develop safer additives for plastics. At Avans, you work on applied research that supports sustainable materials innovation.

As a researcher polymer chemistry, you work on the SAFE Add project: a research project focused on developing safer additives for plastics. Think of additives such as flame retardants, colourants, plasticize rs and antioxidants. These substances help make plastics safer, more durable, easier to process or more attractive to use. At the same time, some additives can raise concerns because of their chemical composition.

In this project, you help develop safer alternatives and show that they work in practice.

You conduct applied laboratory research within the Biobased Building Blocks & Products research group, part of the Centre of Expertise Material and Energy Transition (MNEXT). Your work focuses on polymer chemistry, biobased materials, composites and coatings. The emphasis can shift depending on the application, because additives are used in different types of materials, such as coatings, composites and plastic products.

Most of your work takes place in the laboratory in Breda. You synthesize and characterize polymer materials and use analytical techniques to understand their properties and performance. Experience with techniques such as DSC and other polymer analysis methods helps you to assess whether materials are suitable for further development or application.

You work closely with colleagues at Avans, VITO and other academic and industrial partners. You are not the project leader, but you do contribute actively to the project team. You plan and carry out your research, share results with partners and help translate findings into useful knowledge for further development.

You also contribute to the connection between research and education. You do not teach classes, but you do work with lecturers and are involved in supervising interns and graduation students, usually together with a colleague. Over time, you may also contribute to funding applications and grant proposals. That is not your main responsibility from day one, but it is part of the research environment you will grow into.

You work for the Centre of Expertise Material and Energy Transition (MNEXT) in Breda. MNEXT connects innovation, education, research and society in the field of materials and energy transition. Together with students, lecturers, researchers, companies and societal partners, we work on applied research that contributes to a more sustainable future.

Your home base is the Biobased Building Blocks & Products research group. You work in a small and involved research team, with colleagues who also conduct laboratory research and supervise students. Because the team is compact, collaboration, flexibility and willingness to support each other are important.

The SAFE Add project is carried out in close cooperation with VITO. Avans is project leader and research partner. You will be employed by Avans and work mainly from Breda, while collaborating with VITO and other partners in the project.

At Avans, you get a good degree of autonomy. You plan your own work, organise your research activities and take responsibility for your results. At the same time, you are part of a team and regularly align with colleagues and partners.

An environment where you have the freedom to discover and improve; this is how we get the best out of you. We support your development with opportunities to grow and a range of attractive employment conditions. We also offer:

• A monthly salary of at least € 3,826 and at most € 5,699 gross for a full-time appointment, scale 10 cao hbo.
• An end-of-year bonus, approximately equal to a thirteenth month.
• A temporary appointment for the duration of the SAFE Add project: 2.75 years. The position is project-based and linked to the remaining duration of the project. After this period, we will explore whether there is sufficient perspective and funding for possible continuation.
• A good work-life balance and pleasant workplaces.
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