Postdoc to Explore Replacements for Isocyanates in Latent Polymer Crosslinking and Functionalization
Updated: 01 Mar 2025
Join us!
Do you want to make a significant contribution? Are you interested in developing new, clean and efficient methods for the paint industry? In the Homogeneous Catalysis group at the University of Amsterdam we currently have a postdoc position available to explore research at the forefront of catalysis. New cutting-edge chemistry will be developed at the interface between catalysis, polymer science and photochemistry for applications in the paint industry, with the aim to improve the durability, hardness and sustainability of coatings. The research project is embedded within a bilateral project of the Advance Research Center Chemical Building Blocks Consortium with the paint company AkzoNobel. All partners in this collaboration have the ambition to establish The Netherlands as a world player in development of new and sustainable reactivity for a sustainable future.
Better coating for a sustainable future
This project aims to develop new materials and catalysis which allow replacement of isocyanate based materials, which are known to be harmful but are nevertheless used in (amongst others) the coatings industry because of their unique properties. The crosslinking chemistries that will be developed should be applicabe to different binder backbones. The relatively easy modification and orthogonality with different functional groups like alcoholes and amines makes it very much compatible with (new) bio-based materials, paving the way for development of circular binder materials.
This is what you are going to do
Industrial coatings for use on e.g. cars or marine vessels require a high chemical and mechanical performance. Currently, polyurethane coatings are mostly used for this purpose, employing isocyanides as the reactive group in paint curing, but these are under legislative pressure due to their harmful nature. In this project you will develop new crosslinking functionalities employing reactive functionalities which are intrinsically non-toxic, and, at the same time, introduce a form of latency. You will explore the use of light-activated reactions for polymer crosslinking. These crosslinking reactions should form urethane- or urea-bonds without the use of unprotected isocyanides, thus leading to sustainable coatings with excellent performance.
This is what we ask of you
- A PhD degree in chemistry with a substantial experimental synthetic chemistry;
- Experience in homogeneous catalysis research;
- Applicants with additional experience in or affinity with photochemistry and/or polymer chemistry have a clear advantage;
- Ability to collaborate and adapt in an international team;
- Good communication skills in oral and written English.
This is what we offer
You will have the opportunity to work with a diverse, multidisciplinary and international team of researchers, at the forefront of catalysis research. The group has access to all equipment and spectroscopic techniques needed to make a true impact in this field. The group has ample experience, operates as a team, endorses lively discussions at group meetings and offers assistance with writing and brainstorming about new ideas. The group organizes social activities on a regular basis.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and ranges between €3,378 to €5,331 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.
This is where you will work
You will work in the Homogeneous Catalysis group in Amsterdam, which is part of the university’s Sustainable Chemistry Research Priority Area (RPA SusChem), embedded within the Van ‘t Hoff institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The general aim of the research performed within the Homogeneous Catalysis group is the development of new catalysts for both known and (in most cases) new important conversions. This is a challenge that we like to approach in a multidisciplinary team. Important issues that are involved in these catalytic conversions comprise of the atom-efficiency, the chemo-, regio-, and stereo-selectivity, and of course the activity and the stability of the catalyst. In addition to these aspects, we also investigate new solutions to the problem of homogeneous catalyst separation and recycling. New catalytic processes are being developed that connected to the challenges involved in the transition to a sustainable society based on a sustainable energy.
The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries.
Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV. You can respond via the red button up to and including April 15, 2025. We will recruit until the position is filled. The selection process commences immediately, but will close when a suitable candidate has been found, even if this is prior to the final date of the application window.
For questions about the position, please contact:
Prof. dr. B. de Bruin
38 hours per week
Science Park 904