NATURE is currently recruiting four highly motivated PhD candidates.

The offered positions are available to start August-September 2021 with a duration of 3 years.

All positions entail mobility between two countries: UK and Spain. PhD students will spend 50% of their total employment time at an industrial environment, i.e. POLYKEY POLYMERS (Spain).

As equal opportunity employers, we strive to increase the number of women working in the field advertised

These fellowships are funded as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Innovative Training Networks under the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme.

Open Posititons

ESR1: Aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters prepared from cyclic oligomers based on biobased diacids for packaging

Title	Aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters prepared from cyclic oligomers based on biobased diacids for packaging.
Recruiting institution	POLYKEY POLYMERS SL
Location	Donostia/San Sebastián (Spain)
Project description	The project of ESR1 involves the preparation of polyesters through the ring opening polymerisation of macrocycles synthesised from biobased diols. Highly selective organocatalysts will be employed for the polymerisation of the previously synthesised macrocycles to obtain well-defined polymers. The barrier properties of these materials will be evaluated and compared to conventional materials, in particular poly(ethylene terepthalate) (PET), oxygen and water permeability will be evaluated as the targeted application of this material should be beverage bottles. Finally, the depolymerisation pathway for the so-formed polymers will be investigated while biodegradability tests will also be performed to understand the degradation mechanism of these plastics.
Secondments	Two academic secondments: • 16 months at University of Birmingham (UK). • 2 months at the University of the Basque Country (Spain).
Enrollment in Doctoral degree(s):	University of the Basque Country (Spain)
Duration	36 months
Envisioned start day	August- September 2021
Type of contract	Full time

ESR2: Unsaturated acid-based polyesters as resins for biobased additive manufacturing of packaging materials

Title	Unsaturated acid-based polyesters as resins for biobased additive manufacturing of packaging materials.
Recruiting institution	POLYKEY POLYMERS SL
Location	Donostia/San Sebastián (Spain)
Project description	The project of ESR2 is based on the preparation of fully recyclable packaging materials by additive manufacturing using monomers from renewable sources. Photocurable polyester-based resins will be prepared through organocatalysis using different biobased diacids, in various ratio in order to tune the final properties of the material. The rheological properties and the curing kinetics of the obtained resins will be analysed to select the most suitable material for 3D printing while their potential for complex packaging will be explored using mechanical and permeability analysis. Finally, the ability of these resins to be recycled for new 3D printing will be explored.
Secondments	Two academic secondments: • 16 months at University of Birmingham (UK). • 2 months at the University of the Basque Country (Spain).
Enrollment in Doctoral degree(s):	University of the Basque Country (Spain)
Duration	36 months
Envisioned start day	August- September 2021
Type of contract	Full time

ESR3: Nature-like circularly-recyclable PHAs with improved physical properties

Title	Nature-like circularly-recyclable PHAs with improved physical properties.
Recruiting institution	University of Birmingham
Location	Edgbaston, Birmingham (UK)
Project description	The project of ESR3 implies the preparation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) with tuneable crystallinity to be implemented in packaging applications as replacement for classical polypropylene (iPP). The stereoselective and organocatalytic ring opening polymerisation of racemic mixtures of monomer (from naturally abundant monomers) will be investigated to yield the formation of isotactic P3HB. In particular, different ratios of the two enantiomers will be explored to control the crystallinity of the final polymer. The permeability of these materials will be particularly studied as well as the mechanical behaviour of the obtained P3HB, for comparison with iPP. Both biodegradation (anaerobic and aerobic) and the chemical recycling of the polymer will be investigated and compared to define the best end-of-life assessment of this material.
Secondments	• One industrial secondment: 18 months at POLYKEY POLYMERS SL (Spain). • One academic secondment: 2 months at the University of the Basque Country (Spain).
Enrollment in Doctoral degree(s):	University of Birmingham (UK)
Duration	36 months
Envisioned start day	August- September 2021
Type of contract	Full time

ESR4: Stereochemically controlled poly(propylene succinate) by ring-opening polymerisation and their investigation for high barrier properties materials

Title	Stereochemically controlled poly(propylene succinate) by ring-opening polymerisation and their investigation for high barrier properties materials.
Recruiting institution	University of Birmingham
Location	Edgbaston, Birmingham (UK)
Project description	The project of ESR4 relies on the stereo-controlled ring opening polymerisation of cyclic diesters to obtain poly(propylene succinate) for high temperature packaging applications (> 100 ºC). The cyclic monomers will be prepared from biosourced sunthons using organocatalysis before subsequent controlled polymerisation into stereoblock copolymers that can stereocomplex. The thermal and mechanical properties of the resultant materials will be studied as well as the crystallisation rates and ability to form sterecomplexes. It will be specifically attested that these materials conserve their properties at high temperatures, to reach the standards of the packaging applications currently employing polystyrene. Ultimately, the selective depolymerisation of the material will be investigated in a circular economy approach.
Secondments	• One industrial secondment: 18 months at POLYKEY POLYMERS SL (Spain). • One academic secondment: 2 months at the University of the Basque Country (Spain).
Enrollment in Doctoral degree(s):	University of Birmingham (UK)
Duration	36 months
Envisioned start day	August- September 2021
Type of contract	Full time

Requirements

Eligibility criteria: We welcome applications until 31/5/2021 from candidates of any nationality completing the following criteria:

Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Date of recruitment means the first day of the employment of the researcher for the purposes of the action (i.e. the starting date indicated in the employment contract/equivalent direct contract).
Candidates shall, at the date of recruitment by the host organisation, be in the first four years of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
Candites must have a master degree or equivalent diploma in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering & Materials, awarded by a College, University or Technical School.

Candidates may be required to provide documentation proving their eligibility for recruitment, i.e. to provide supporting documentation proving your place(s) of residence or work during the previous 3 years.

Candidates must have a high level of proficiency in written and spoken English, which will be assessed with the motivation letter and the interview, respectively.