PostDoc in AI-enhanced solvent-based recycling of polymers

Introduction
In polymeric materials, a fundamental transition is required from synthesis out of fossil-based and one time use to continuous reuse of polymeric products. Current recycling methods cannot recover high-value polymers from complex waste streams such as multilayer packaging and mixed plastic waste, leading to large volumes being incinerated or landfilled. Solvent based recycling offers a promising route to produce high-quality recyclates, but current implementations rely on static process design and control that don’t account for feedstock variability, inefficient solvent use, and high energy demand, hindering scale-up.

Job Description
This project will be executed together with company Exergy within the EKKO Circular Plastics project. The PD researcher will develop and validate an AI-enhanced, solvent-based recycling process for complex plastic waste streams such as multilayer packaging and e-waste, while Exergy will develop the digital-twin and machine-learning tools that make the process adaptive and scalable. The research effort will be directed towards the selective recovery in high yield of high-value polymers (e.g., PET, PS, PC, ABS) at high purity, while minimizing solvent consumption and energy demand. The research activities will include understanding of performance profile of recycled polymers by means of various chemical, structural, rheological and mechanical characterization techniques.

The PD research will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Željko Tomović in the Polymer Performance Materials group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the TU/e, which is also the part of the interdisciplinary Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), in which all polymer-related research groups at the TU/e participate. A description of the group can be found here: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/polymer-performance-materials.

The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

Job Requirements

• We seek highly talented, motivated, and enthusiastic candidates with an PhD degree in polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, or a related discipline.
• The successful candidate has a solid background in polymer and organic chemistry.
• Experience with the synthesis and characterization of polymers is essential.
• Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are highly desired.
• Excellent communication (oral and writing) skills in English (prerequisite).
• You are a naturally curious person, eager to learn more and with a strong interest in science and research.
• You should have a scientific attitude combined with a hands-on mentality and interest for application-oriented research.
• We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented, social environment.

Interviews, a scientific presentation and a small writing assignment will be part of the selection procedure.

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 12 months.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,422 (step 4) to max. € 5,760 gross per month).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry bridges science and engineering to create sustainable solutions for society. By combining expertise in molecules, materials, and processes, we drive innovations that address global challenges in energy, circularity, health and future technology. Through world-class research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong industry partnerships, we educate engineers and scientists who turn scientific discoveries into technologies with lasting societal impact. Together, we create chemistry for a better world.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Prof. Željko Tomović, z.tomovic@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Ms. Funda Gormus, HR-advisor, f.gormus@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of up to five self-selected ‘best publications’.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Data Analyst project BEL, 4 months

Introduction
Do you want to contribute to a big data research on the societal benefits of energy retrofits in homes? Energy transition in Dutch social housing involves retrofitting millions of dwellings in coming years. The aim is to contribute to the climate goals and –increasingly important– to reduce energy poverty and improve the health of the residents. The effectiveness of energy retrofits in achieving these goals however strongly depends on tenants’ behavioural responses.

Our multidisciplinary project BEL provides detailed insight in these responses to support acceleration of the energy transition. We combine big data analysis with microeconomic behavioural modelling, econometrics, machine learning and natural language processing. We exploit longitudinal 2014-2021 data of 1 million social houses and households (40% of the social sector).

Job Description
This is a four-month position. The Data analyst will contribute to training existing econometric models in R and Python and running scenarios, as well as preparing new data to be used in a PhD project that will start in 2027. See www.bel-tue.nl for more information about the project.

Job Requirements

• MSc degree in exact or computer sciences.
• Experience with training econometric models on big data, experience with working with Big data of CBS.
• Proficiency in R and Python.
• Affinity with energy efficiency topics and behavioural microeconomic modelling.

Conditions of Employment
An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• A monthly salary of minimum € 3,706 to maximum € 5,760 gross for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 10 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A favorable arrangement for more holidays or a sabbatical.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to have more information about the position, please contact the hiring manager: Ioulia Ossokina, Associate Professor TU/e, i.v.ossokina@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact Leo van Houten, HR-Advisor, l.v.houten@tue.nl or +31 40 247 8269.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application
If you are interested, please use the ‘apply’ button to send us your CV and letter of application with your motivation and a description of your qualifications. Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

Screening of candidates begins as soon as applications are received and continues until the position is filled. Where applicable, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates where they are equally suitable.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Important for non-EU applicants: Please be aware that for this position, specific residence permit requirements apply. If you are a non-EU national, you may not be eligible to legally work in this role under current Dutch immigration regulations. We strongly advise you to contact our Staff Immigration Team (staffimmigration@tue.nl) before applying to check your eligibility and to receive further guidance.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

PostDoc in AI-enhanced solvent-based recycling of polymers

This project will be executed together with company Exergy within the EKKO Circular Plastics project. The PD researcher will develop and validate an AI-enhanced, solvent-based recycling process for complex plastic waste streams such as multilayer packaging and e-waste, while Exergy will develop the digital-twin and machine-learning tools that make the process adaptive and scalable. The research effort will be directed towards the selective recovery in high yield of high-value polymers (e.g., PET, PS, PC, ABS) at high purity, while minimizing solvent consumption and energy demand. The research activities will include understanding of performance profile of recycled polymers by means of various chemical, structural, rheological and mechanical characterization techniques.

The PD research will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Željko Tomović in the Polymer Performance Materials group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the TU/e, which is also the part of the interdisciplinary Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), in which all polymer-related research groups at the TU/e participate. A description of the group can be found here: https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/polymer-performance-materials.

The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

Data Analyst project BEL, 4 months

This is a four-month position. The Data analyst will contribute to training existing econometric models in R and Python and running scenarios, as well as preparing new data to be used in a PhD project that will start in 2027. See www.bel-tue.nl for more information about the project.

PhD in Hybrid FSO-RF-Fiber Channel Models and Transmission Schemes (ANCHOR)

Introduction
Are you passionate about improving wireless networks and developing technologies for 6G? We foresee a future where lasers will light up the sky to enable high-bandwidth and secure communications to every corner of the Earth. This PhD will combine free-space optics and radio communications to meet capacity requirements for 6G networks and support agile networks including airborne network components.

Job Description
Our society is on the brink of a new age with the development of new visionary concepts such as internet of things, smart cities, autonomous driving, smart mobility, and coverage everywhere. This stimulates the use of new deployment concepts, such as hybrid networks and airborne network components, to support the wireless communication evolution. The ANCHOR project focuses on meeting demands on bandwidth, reliability, energy efficiency, and sustainability, as well as extended coverage from underwater, terrestrial, and aerial network components, and leverages on untapped potential of optical wavelengths and THz frequencies, alongside existing radio technologies.

This PhD position focuses on Hybrid FSO-RF-Fiber Channel Models and Transmission Schemes, developing hybrid FSO-RF-Fiber links for flexible front-/mid-/backhauling in terrestrial and tropospheric networking scenarios. You will analyze the combined FSO-RF-Fiber channel and develop accurate but sufficiently lightweight channel models and come up with jointly optimized schemes for such hybrid links and networks, incl. waveforms, modulation, coding and/or low-level protocols. You will further design and propose link architectures and conduct relevant experimental evaluations. The expected outcomes include channel models and architectures for hybrid FSO-RF-Fiber links, incl. theoretical, simulation and experimental analysis, supported by relevant simulation software/tools for hybrid links. Joint modulation formats, coding and low-level protocols jointly optimized for hybrid channels are further expected to be created.

Through ANCHOR you will be provided with a comprehensive training programme covering theoretical and practical skills relevant for innovation and long-term employability in a rapidly growing sector. This highly innovative training involves experts from twenty-four international partners from academia, research institutions and industry. You will be enrolled in the PhD program of TU/e and will have the chance to benefit from secondments at some of the partner institutions as well as wide-ranging networking opportunities across the consortium.

Throughout this PhD you will be embedded in the ICT Lab of Signal Processing Systems group of the Department of Electrical Engineering at TU/e. Within the ICT Lab you will work within a dynamic team of approximately thirty researchers under the esteemed leadership of prof. Alex Alvarado and prof. Frans Willems (winner of the Shannon Award 2026). At the ICT Lab, we study information processing in a broad sense. We focus on finding fundamental limits, data processing techniques and architectures that aim at approaching these limits. Main areas of interest are free space optical communications, fiber communications, source coding, channel coding, (multi-user) information theory, security, and machine learning. You will have the opportunity to work with and in the extensive laboratory facilities of the TU/e’s Centre for Wireless Technology (CWTe). You will work closely with the second ANCHOR PhD at TU/e within the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) team in the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Electrical or Communications Engineering (or Applied Physics), with excellent grades.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Previous experience in signal processing, communication systems, channel modeling or similar as well as proficiency with relevant software packages are advantageous.
• Good understanding of physical-layer and data-link layer communications, information theory, digital signal processing and (optical) wireless channel models are an advantage.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interest in collaborating with international and industrial partners.
• Motivation to spend some time abroad for secondments.
• The EU ‘Mobility rules’ apply. For this vacancy this means that candidate students cannot have resided for more than 12 months during the period of 3 years immediately before the start of the PhD in the Netherlands.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (at least C1 level).

Conditions of Employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) for international candidates.

About us
Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

The European Doctoral Network ‘ANCHOR’ brings together leading academic, industry stakeholders, and SMEs to establish a structured doctoral training program addressing critical technical challenges and skill shortages for next-generation of communication networks. Traditional wireless networks, often reliant on single radio communication and inflexible architectures, will not be able to meet growing demands on bandwidth, reliability, energy efficiency, and sustainability, as well as extended coverage from underwater, terrestrial, and aerial network components. To overcome these limitations, ANCHOR leverages innovations in the untapped potential of THz and optical wavelengths alongside existing radio technologies. ANCHOR has meticulously designed fifteen doctoral projects that focus on cutting-edge innovations in optical, radio, and THz wireless communications and the harmonization of coexisting spectrums and networks. Through these efforts, ANCHOR will not only deepen fundamental theories but also provide practical, scalable solutions to improve 3D coverage, mobility, latency, network capacity, energy efficiency, and suitability for the future telecommunications infrastructure.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Wim Korevaar, associate researcher, c.w.korevaar@tue.nl or +31 615392218.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, hrservices.ee@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

"#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named ANCHOR, with project number RT203508, within program MSCA DN."

Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.