Horizon Europe - Marie Sklodowska-Curie - Doctoral Networks

ReBond: A Universal platform for recycling plastic waste using dynamic covalent bonds

Doctoral Candidate 5

How does the kinetics of vitrimer bond exchange influence the properties of polymer-vitrimer systems?

Dept. of Physics University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece;

Laboratoire Charles Coulomb, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, France.

This PhD project is part of the European Doctoral Network ‘ReBond’, which involves eight Universities, five industrial partners and 15 PhD students. By combining the expertise of the different partners in synthesis, advanced characterization, linear and nonlinear dynamics, mechanical properties, modelling, and plastic product development and processing, we shall uncover the underpinning relationships among processing and performance of vitrimer-based recycled plastics and elastomers.

Within this framework, the specific objectives of this PhD are to understand the influence of composition, structure, mechanical deformation and flow on the local dynamics of vitrimers. Our objective is to go beyond the state of the art by obtaining a better understanding of the vitrimer dynamics.

The proposed research is based on experimental techniques, mainly dielectric spectroscopy as well as by coupling scattering techniques (SAXS and WAXS) to a elongation set-up in large scale facilities.

The successful candidate will gain significant knowledge in polymer dynamics as well as in scattering techniques. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student with an excellent CV. The applicant must have a master’s degree in physics, materials science, or engineering. Good knowledge of polymer/soft matter physics is required. Additional knowledge of dielectric/impedance spectroscopy, mechanical and/or scattering techniques is a plus.

ReBond is a highly interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial project, the groups involved are world-leaders in their fields, and the tasks strategically designed to ensure strong synergies. It offers young researchers an extraordinarily diverse training platform with a deep grasp of soft matter and unique exposure to industrial environment, needed to address emerging scientific and technological challenges.

Applications should be sent by email (a single pdf file containing a detailed CV, a transcript of marks obtained during the Master, a motivation letter, and the names of two referees) to: rebond-manager@uclouvain.be

The applicant has to clearly indicate the number of the project(s) for which he/she is applying. 

Starting dates: between October 2023 and December 2023.

Project duration: 22 Months at the University of Ioannina (Greece), 10 Months at CNRS Montpellier (France) & 4 months at the University of Leeds (UK)