PhD Candidate in Wood Materials Science / PhD Candidate in Wood Materials Science

PhD Position in Wood Materials Science - DC11: Electrically Conductive Bio-Based Materials

100%, Zurich, Fixed-term

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

Project Background

RE-Fibre is a Doctoral Network funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-DN) that aims to revolutionize the 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 disciplines such as green/lignin chemistry, new biobased materials, and environmental systems science.

Job Description

The DCs will build on groundbreaking findings from the RE-Fibre consortium to develop fully recyclable functional biobased composites with properties comparable to fossil-based counterparts. They will gain competencies in a cutting-edge scientific field while also enhancing their interdisciplinary and interpersonal skills. Additionally, candidates will expand their network and experience through secondments (research stays at the sites of academic or industrial partners). DCs will learn best practices by developing online research and training tools, enabling collaboration across academic and industrial sectors. This training will enhance DCs' employability as future leaders while supporting the green transition and sustainable circular economy in Europe.

• Develop electrically conductive lignin-bio-fiber materials using functionalized lignin as a precursor for carbonaceous structures.
• Produce optimized ink formulations for laser-induced graphitization processes using functionalized lignin oligomers.
• Characterize materials produced using state-of-the-art methodologies.
• Construct proof-of-concept devices for energy storage and electrochemical sensing applications.

Secondments Offered

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

Profile

Required Education Level:

• Master's degree in Chemistry.
• Chemical Engineering.
• Materials Science, Mechanical Processing Engineering, or Wood Science.

Preferred Background:

• Materials Science.
• Polymer Chemistry.
• Mechanical and Processing Engineering.
• Wood Science.

Specific Requirements:

• Admission requires 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.
• Applicants must not have been awarded a doctorate at the time of recruitment.
• Applicants must not have resided or conducted their main activity in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment. Time spent on compulsory national service, short stays, or refugee status procedures do not count toward this.
• Fluency in English is required (at least B2-level speaking and writing).

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

Workplace

Join us at ETH Zurich, where you will not only enhance your professional skills but also contribute to positive change in society.

Benefits

• Your job will have an impact: Become part of ETH Zurich and help drive societal change.
• Enjoy numerous benefits, including public transport season tickets, car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by ASVZ, childcare, and attractive pension benefits.

Curious? So Are We.

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

For further information about the Wood Materials Science Group, visit our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Yong Ding at yoding@ethz.ch (please note that applications are not accepted via this email address).