PhD Position

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Organisation/Company Vrije Universiteit Brussel Department Materials and Chemistry (MACH) Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Engineering » Chemical engineering Biological sciences » Biological engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 22 Oct 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 16 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Physical Chemistry and Polymer Science (FYSC) laboratory is part of the Sustainable Materials Engineering (SUME) research group within the Faculty of Engineering at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). FYSC conducts both fundamental and applied research in materials science, focusing on structure–processing–property relationships in synthetic, bio-based, and natural polymers to develop sustainable, high-performance materials. The group has extensive physicochemical analytical capabilities, with a strong emphasis on advanced and prototype thermal analysis methods for polymer-based materials. FYSC collaborates with academic and industrial partners on novel macromolecular materials for applications such as advanced polymeric systems, coatings, composites, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and offshore industries. Its research activities are organized around three pillars: thermophysical and chemical characterization of polymers, renewable energy materials, and non-traditional cements. is actively recruiting two PhD researchers on two nationally funded projects.

• RESSURG develops the technologies necessary to create more realistic surgical training models. The PhD student will enter a dynamic team, where they will intensively collaborate with all team members with their respective specialisations. The PhD student will develop a new generation of self-healing polymers that mimic the mechanical behaviour of natural tissues.
• MOSA-PUR looks at a more efficient chemical recycling process for polyurethanes. The PhD student will study the chemical recycling reactions together with together with researchers at the university of Antwerp and provide experimental validation for modelling of the polyurethane degradation reactions together with the universities of Ghent and Groningen.

Job Description

The doctoral researcher (PhD) will conduct original research in physical chemistry and polymer science, contributing to one or more of SUME’s core research pillars. Day-to-day tasks include designing and performing experiments, operating thermal analysis and other characterization techniques, analyzing data, and interpreting results in the context of structure–processing–property relationships. The role involves working with polymer-based materials, collaborating with team members and external partners, and contributing to the objectives of the respective projects, publications, conference presentations, and project reports. The researcher will participate in group meetings, assist with supervision of students in the lab, and engage with international research networks. This is a full-time, on-site role located in the Brussels Metropolitan Area. Both research projects require the doctoral researcher to perform their tasks to achieve common ambitions and enable the researcher to work in a very interdisciplinary environment.

• You will support ongoing research or explore new research opportunities together with doctoral students and/or postdocs on topics such as:
  • Bio-derived alternatives or natural polymeric materials
  • Self-healing materials
  • Recycling of reversible polymer networks (elastomers, thermosets and composites)
  • Non-traditional cement, concrete and composites
  • Application of the above material technologies in various applications
• Typical research tasks may include:
  • Synthesis and development of new polymeric materials;
  • Chemical analysis and characterization of the synthesized/produced polymers;
  • Unravelling how the structure/composition of materials affects their properties;
  • Optimization of the relevant properties for certain applications;
  • Improvement of existing processing techniques and/or development of new processing and manufacturing techniques in view of intended applications;
  • Testing of product performance, in relation to the material properties;
  • Techno-economical or lifecycle analysis of material synthesis, production, application and end-of-life;

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Biomaterial engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry E