Alexey Lyulin

The Eindhoven University of Technology invites applications for a fully funded PhD position on the development of recycled wax composites for heat storage (RecyWax+). This project, based in the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry (SPC), is part of the OTP programme (RecyWax+) funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). The research addresses major societal challenges in climate, energy, and sustainability by focusing on the upcycling of pyrolysis waxes from polymer recycling to create novel graphene-based wax composites for use in heat storage systems. With the transition away from fossil fuels, sustainable materials for heating are essential. Organic phase change materials (PCMs) like waxes can store and release heat, but their low thermal conductivity limits widespread application. This PhD project aims to overcome these limitations by developing graphene/wax composites with enhanced heat transport properties. The research will involve chemical modification of graphene nanoplatelet fillers, colloidal assembly, and emulsion preparation techniques to minimize interfacial thermal resistance and optimize nanofiller network formation in upcycled waxes. The project is highly interdisciplinary, combining chemical and physical experimentation with theoretical modeling. The RecyWax+ team includes experts from the Physical Chemistry lab (Dr. Heiner Friedrich), the Transport in Permeable Media group (Prof. Dr. Henk Huinink), and the Theory of Polymers and Soft Matter group (Prof. Dr. Alexey Lyulin), as well as collaborators from the University of Twente. The Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at TU/e is internationally renowned for its research in molecules, materials, and chemical processes, and offers a collaborative environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure. Candidates should have a master’s degree in Chemistry, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or a related field, with a strong background in organic and physical chemistry. Experience with graphene materials, polymer and colloid science, or heat storage is preferred. Applicants should be motivated, research-oriented, and able to work in interdisciplinary teams. Fluency in English (C1) is required. The position is open to international and female candidates, and includes a selection process with interviews and a scientific presentation. The successful candidate will receive a four-year full-time contract, with salary according to Dutch university scale P (€3,059–€3,881/month), year-end bonus, vacation pay, pension scheme, paid parental leave, and additional allowances. TU/e provides excellent training, technical infrastructure, and support for international staff, including a tax compensation scheme. The university is located in Eindhoven, a vibrant city in the Netherlands, and offers a dynamic, international research environment. To apply, submit your application online via the provided link, including a cover letter, CV with publications, and contact details for three references. Applications by email or post are not accepted. The vacancy remains open until filled, with a deadline of December 9, 2025.

The RecyWax+ project, supported by the Dutch Research Council NWO OTP programme, is offering a PhD position focused on the multiscale modelling of recycled wax for sustainable thermal storage. The project aims to develop efficient and low-cost heat storage solutions using organic phase change materials (PCMs), which are crucial for reducing the carbon footprint of heating in buildings. The research combines advanced multi-physics modelling with experimental validation to design and optimize PCM composites. The core innovation lies in utilizing waxes derived from the pyrolysis of plastic waste streams, combined with ultra-conductive graphene networks, to create compact and efficient thermal energy storage systems. These systems exploit phase transitions to store and release heat, functioning as 'heat batteries.' The PhD candidate will employ molecular modelling techniques to address several key challenges: characterizing the molecular structure and distribution of polymer pyrolysis waste streams, modelling filler-matrix interfaces using Gromacs and LAMMPS (with MARTINI-like upscaling), optimizing thermal transport through nanofiller surface functionalization, and simulating ideal filler-filler and filler-matrix interface structures. The research will bridge atomistic properties with macroscopic network behavior, aiming to predict and enhance the thermal conductivity of PCM composites. The project is led by Professors Alexey Lyulin, Heiner Friedrich, and Henk Huinink from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and Professor Bernard Geurts from the University of Twente. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of materials science, chemistry, and engineering, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and upcycling of waste materials. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to next-generation energy storage solutions and to develop expertise in molecular dynamics, composite materials, and sustainable technologies.