PhD Position in Soft Matter: Flow and Dynamics of Colloidal Gels

A PhD position is currently available in the Garbin lab (https://garbinlab.org) on novel methods to control the microstructure of colloidal gels. You will be part of the CoCoGel Marie Skłodowska-Curie Industrial Doctoral Network (https://cocogel.iesl.forth.gr), together with 14 other PhD candidates, who will be working throughout Europe on bringing rational design to the structuring of colloidal gels.
Colloidal gels - soft materials made of attractive colloidal particles - form the basis of many products and materials, including personal care products, battery electrodes, and construction materials. The development of new methods to tune the properties of colloidal gels will enable the next generation of sustainable products and processes. We have recenlty discovered a novel, ultrasound-induced mechanism that creates local order in colloidal gels [Saint-Michel, Petekidis & Garbin, Soft Matter 18, 2092 (2022)]. In this PhD project, you will investigate the physical phenomena underlying this new mechanism and explore its potential for controlled structuring of model colloidal gels and new products. You will perform experiments to elucidate the effect of process parameters on the resulting microstructure using confocal microscopy and microstructural analysis.
As PhD candidate in the CoCoGel network, you will participate in collaborative and training activities hosted by the network partners. You will be based at Delft University of Technology and, as part of your PhD, you will be periodically seconded at industrial partners of CoCoGel to develop elements of your project. A secondment of up to 8 months will be hosted by InProcess LSP, a scale-up company that develops process analytical technology for in-line characterization of dense suspensions using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Here, you will explore the possibility to overcome the limited time resolution of confocal microscopy using OCT. To explore applications of your scientific findings to personal care and food products, you will be seconded at Unliever for up to 6 months. To explore applications in battery electrodes, you will be seconded at Systems Sunlight SA, manufacturer of batteries and storage systems for energy produced by renewable sources.
To qualify for this position, you cannot have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the recruitment start date. The start date is September 2024.

Requirements:

We are looking for a motivated researcher who can balance the research requirements of a PhD with the opportunities afforded by working in an industry-academia collaboration. You must have an MSc in Physics, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering by the start of the project. Good knowledge of fluid mechanics and transport phenomena is needed to make progress in the project; knowledge of soft matter physics or colloid science will also be beneficial. Experience with experimental methods in microscopy, image analysis and rheology is considered very valuable. The abiliyt to program in Python or a comparable language is needed for image analysis and data processing. It is important that you have good communication skills and are open to collaboration, as the CoCoGel project requires substantial coordination and synergy. An ambition to bridge fundamental research with impact on society will be highly valued.   

Salary Benefits:

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 2