PhD in Biobased Polymer–Nanoclay Composites for Sustainable Building Materials Delft University of Technology in Netherlands

PhD Opportunity at Delft University of Technology in Biobased Polymer–Nanoclay Composites for Sustainable Building Materials.

This fully funded 4-year PhD project is part of the BIO-Skin consortium (Bio-Inspired Outer Surfaces to Kool, Insulate and Nurture), led by TU Delft, and is hosted mainly in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

The research focuses on developing circular, biobased, and biophilic building components using polymer–nanoclay composite materials. The polymer matrix will be derived from waste-based, biodegradable materials produced by Calayda and Recell. The PhD will investigate the stability, composition, and properties of these biobased polymers and their incorporation into nanoclay structures to create sustainable building materials with tailored performance.

A major part of the project involves material characterisation using analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including NMR, GPC/SEC, rheology, and thermal analysis. The project is research-oriented and collaborative, with some work carried out with partners inside and outside the department and university.

Supervision is by Dr. Tessel Bouwens, Prof. Stephen Picken, and Prof. Rienk Eelkema at TU Delft.

Applicants should be interested in polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, and related chemistry-based methods for sustainable construction materials.

The position is fully funded and open now. Apply via the provided application link. For further information, contact [email protected].