Empa

PostDoc to work on Chemical Modification of Polymers and Electrospinning for Inert Filter Composites

St. Gallen, Schweiz

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Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

In our research group, we strive to transfer membrane and encapsulation strategies from academia to industry. Solution-based processes like electrospinning, spraying and microfluidic wet spinning are used to obtain membranes, fibers and particles for applications including tissue scaffolds, drug delivery, textile functionalization and air filtration. Scalable post-processing technologies subsequently allow for the production of functional prototypes to ensure a swift and successful implementation by industry. This project is an Innosuisse collaboration with a Swiss textile industry partner and combines scalable chemical modification with electrospinning for inert filter composites, which need to be tailored to and characterized under extreme application conditions.

PostDoc to work on Chemical Modification of Polymers and Electrospinning for Inert Filter Composites

Your tasks
The PostDoc will take the lead in:

Organizing project meetings and reports according to internal and external (industry partner, funding agency) requirements
Chemically modifying commercial high-performance polymers in controlled scalable processes
Producing electrospun membranes as prospective filters on a needleless roll-to-roll pilot-scale
Transferring (laminating, welding etc.) and structuring/post-processing these composites
Establishing and implementing high-temperature and chemical fatigue testing
Disseminating the results in form of patents or publications, as well as assist in the technology transfer

Your profile
We invite applications from candidates possessing:

A PhD degree with substantial experience in Chemical Functionalisation/Engineering, Electrospinning, Materials/Polymer Science/Technology and/or Polymer Processing
Proficiency (written and oral) in both English (CEFR C1) and German (at least basic level)
Scientific curiosity, independence, capability of working in a multidisciplinary environment, out-of-the-box thinking as well as an astute approach to unfamiliar (upscaling) technologies and general technical affinity
A habit of safe and considerate working with dangerous chemicals and setups

Our offer
We offer a challenging application-oriented position in a driven interdisciplinary research environment with excellent opportunities to establish connections in the local industry. The work will be carried out at Empa St. Gallen under supervision by Dr. Gordon Herwig and Prof. Dr. René Rossi. The position is temporary for two years, with a prospective start date in February 2025.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.