PhD Candidate Development of Humin Based Recyclable Networks

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PhD Candidate Development of Humin Based Recyclable Networks

Welcome to Maastricht University!

Join a public-private partnership working on the development of humin based recyclable networks for adhesive and composite applications. In this PhD project, you will contribute to the development of renewable and more sustainable materials by exploring the potential of humins as recyclable thermoset resins.

PhD Candidate Development of Humin Based Recyclable Networks

Our goal: to develop recyclable, non-persistent thermoset resins based on humins, creating more sustainable alternatives for conventional materials.

Your colleagues: The project is part of the NWO project KICHumins (A route towards non persistent crosslinked humin resins). The project is a public-private partnership consisting of academic (Maastricht University, Leiden University, University of Amsterdam) and industrial partners (Avantium, Kappi, Gemsjäger ski) in the field of materials science, environmental/health science and socio-economics.

The PhD candidate will be appointed at the Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) of Maastricht University, which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. You will work in the group of Professor Katrien Bernaerts, which focusses on the synthesis and design of polymer materials with tunable properties and recyclability exploiting the functionality of biobased building blocks. You will operate from the Brightlands-Chemelot Campus in Geleen (NL), where the labs are located.

What you do

Humins, unavoidable by-products of acid-catalyzed carbohydrate conversion in biorefineries, are typically burned for energy. This project valorizes humins by developing recyclable, non-persistent thermoset resins based on their inherent reactivity. Applications include bio-based composites with natural fibers for durable goods. Designed to be recyclable and minimize microplastic persistence, these thermosets offer a renewable, more sustainable alternative to conventional materials.

To ensure these materials are safe, their degradation products and leachates will be identified and tested using ecotoxicological assays. Persistence, fate, bioaccumulation and potential effects will be assessed under realistic environmental conditions to confirm that both the resins and their breakdown products are non-toxic and environmentally benign. Following a LCA and risk assessment combined approach we thus can advise to make materials safe and sustainable by design.

Successful implementation requires overcoming market “lock-in” effects, including resistance to process changes, stakeholder awareness and perceived risks, and regulatory hurdles. Societal concerns will be integrated early in development to ensure the materials are safe, affordable, and user-friendly. The project will also explore behavioural drivers, incentives, and innovative business models to stimulate adoption across the value chain—from producers to end-users.

The role of Maastricht University in this project is to cover the materials part of the work. The PhD candidate will use humins from Avantium to make recyclable networks and study their physico-chemical properties. Their applicability will be studied as composites for skis and adhesives for timber panels, in close collaboration with the project partners Gemsjäger ski and Kappi.

Are you ready to set the course for the years ahead? Then we’d love to meet you.

What you bring

We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

You have excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, allowing you to collaborate effectively with both academic and industrial partners. You are results-driven, inventive, and creative, take ownership of your work, act with accountability, and are focused on achieving impactful outcomes.

Furthermore, you bring:

a MSc degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related fields;

excellent skills in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and chemical characterization;

interest in the material characterization of recyclable networks (rheology, DMA, tensile test, …);

a strong interest to investigate structure-property relationships of the synthesized polymers for composite and adhesive applications

a scientific attitude combined with a hands-on mentality and interest for both fundamental and application-oriented research;

an excellent command of spoken and written scientific English.

What we offer

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

A 12-month contract (1,0 FTE) with the prospect of a 3 year extension based on mutual satisfaction.

A gross monthly salary between € 3.204 and € 4.051 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.

29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.

Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.

A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.

A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.

An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE)

At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention. The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses

Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregio, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.

About the AMIBM Department

The Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) is a department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at Maastricht University. AMIBM is a European cross-border research institute established by Maastricht University and RWTH Aachen University focusing on the development of advanced biobased materials. The mission of AMIBM is to replace traditional polymer building blocks with innovative and sustainable alternatives for the development of novel and environmentally-beneficial materials. AMIBM promotes world-class multidisciplinary research in the field of biobased materials, by training PhD students with the multiple skills needed to be future leaders in the field, and creating the research breakthroughs that will enable the utilization of sustainable and renewable materials for advanced materials applications. The multidisciplinary team draws together scientists with expertise in organic chemistry, biocatalysis, lead finding of new biobased blocks, polymer chemistry, polymer physics, polymer engineering, biobased and biomedical materials, tissue engineering, and industrial and medical applications. More information can be found via: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/institutes/amibm/research/biobased-polymers

About Research Group Sustainable Polymer Synthesis

Main research focus is on the design and synthesis of sustainable polymer materials with tuneable properties for the circular economy. Sustainability entails biobased building blocks (but no biorefinery) instead of fossil raw materials, green routes for polymer synthesis and processing, as well as chemical recycling/reprocessing methods (biodegradability, depolymerization, dynamic bonds) to make the end-of-life of polymers more sustainable. Structure-property relationships of the resulting polymers are evaluated in several fields of application e.g. stimuli-responsive polymers, coatings, fibres, engineering plastics and biomedical materials. Growing focus on the use of artificial intelligence techniques to support and accelerate the experimental work, e.g. data interpretation and prediction of structure-property relationships. https://sustainablepolymersynthesis.com/

Interested?

Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Katrien Bernaerts, Professor Sustainable Polymer Synthesis via +31 43 388 2636.

We will recruit until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The selection process will start immediately and may close before the application deadline if a suitable candidate is identified.

The start of the project is foreseen for October 1, 2026.

If you wish to apply, please upload the following documents:

A CV

A cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant experience (please refer to the “What you bring” section above)

The names and contact details of at least two referees

Copies of your diplomas/degrees, including grade transcripts of your previous education

Note: Incomplete applications that do not include all required documents will not be considered.

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University

At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

Job Type: Academic

Faculty/Service Center: Faculty of Science & Engineering

Closing date: 18-09-2026

FTE min: 0,9

FTE max: 1,0

Salary min: €3204,00

Salary max: €4051,00

ID job: 3607

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Job Type: Academic

Faculty/Service Center: Faculty of Science & Engineering

Closing date: 18-09-2026

FTE min: 0,9

FTE max: 1,0

Salary min: €3204,00

Salary max: €4051,00

ID job: 3607

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