PhD in Bio-based Surfactants for Innovative Plant Protection Formulations (CBE JU RIA project ZELDA) University of Graz in Austria

The University of Graz, Austria, through its Institute of Chemistry and the Sustainable Catalysis working group, is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the CBE JU RIA project ZELDA. The research focuses on the development of bio-based surfactants for innovative plant protection formulations, with two main research areas: data-driven surfactant identification and novel surfactant synthesis. The project is embedded in a multidisciplinary European consortium, providing opportunities for collaboration with both academic and industrial partners, and is supervised by Professor Katalin Barta. In the first research area, the PhD student will generate and analyze new data on surfactant characterization, as well as utilize existing data from the group’s library of novel bio-based surfactants.

The goal is to develop structure-property relationship models to identify promising surfactant candidates or suggest new structural motifs for synthesis. This work will involve a feedback loop with consortium partners to refine models based on the performance of newly formulated plant protection products. The second research area involves synthesizing novel bio-based surfactants from lignocellulosic starting materials, leveraging both empirical data and computational models.

The research aims to employ sustainable, highly efficient, and ideally zero-waste synthetic approaches to produce high-performance surfactants. The PhD student will also support and collaborate with parallel spin-off and EU projects, and promising surfactant candidates will be scaled up to kilogram quantities, including process intensification and potential external production runs with industrial partners. The position offers an annual gross salary of at least €52,007.20 (full-time equivalent), comprehensive benefits, and a 3-year contract at 30 hours per week, with the possibility of extension.

Applicants must have an MSc in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Computational Chemistry, or a related field, with skills in at least one relevant area (applied, physical, or organic chemistry). Strong English proficiency and enthusiasm for laboratory work are essential. EU27 nationality is preferred, but non-EU applicants with a valid work visa until the end of 2025 are also eligible. The selection process includes document screening, remote interviews, and a technical interview for shortlisted candidates.

The earliest start date is November 1, 2025. For more information, visit http://bartagroup.org/ or contact Prof. Katalin Barta at [email protected].