Functieomschrijving
The Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), one of eight institutes of the Faculty of Science, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher in Computational Chemistry. The position is initially for one year, extendable for another year based on performance and results.
In 2010, we invented a new type of plastic resin, which is non-toxic, biodegradable, and 100% plant-based. This bioplastic is now being commercialized by a spin-off company, Plantics BV. Yet even as the production is being scaled up, we still don’t understand how the resin actually forms. To understand the polymer formation process, we will combine computations and experiments. You will be part of a team that will deliver an understanding of the resin properties and especially insight into its formation process and the resulting material characteristics. In our iterative workflow, models are used for predicting the properties of resin formulations, and experimental measurement of these formulations are then used as feedback for improving the models.
The computational models will be studied in collaboration with Dr Christopher Lowe, an expert in coarse-grained modelling and a member of the Amsterdam Centre for Multiscale Modelling (ACMM). Experimental data will be obtained in our labs, as well as in the labs of the project partners.
A background in polymer chemistry is an advantage, as is knowledge of Dutch and/or Finnish.
You will be employed by the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam on a fixed-term full-time position (38 hours per week) for a period of one year. We may extend the appointment by another year depending on your performance and the project's results.
Depending on experience, the gross monthly salary will range from €2,588 to €4,084 (scale 10) and will be supplemented with an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.
Your application must include a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a motivation letter explaining why you chose to apply for this position and the names and contact details of two referees. All these should be grouped in one PDF attachment.
