PhD on Mechanical Recycling of post-Consumer Thermoplastics for Architectural Applications

Interested in transforming contaminated plastic waste into upcycled architectural components? Join our research team!

Job description
Delft University of Technology is hiring a doctoral candidate on the topic of "Mechanical recycling of post-consumer thermoplastics for architectural applications: processing parameters and material characterization of inhomogeneous, recycled plastics".

Plastics are omnipresent and so is plastic waste; from the 353 million tonnes of global plastic waste, only 9% get recycled or -predominantly- downcycled. Behind the poor rate of plastic waste recycling lie multiple technical, logistical and economical barriers. Technical challenges that prevent closed-loop recycling revolve around the compositional complexities and contamination encountered in plastic waste streams.

The principal hypothesis of this PhD is that various contaminated plastic waste streams can be transformed into high-quality architectural components and is focused on larger volume thermoplastic waste streams that contain challenging to remove contaminants. To prove this hypothesis, a deep understanding is required of the interrelationships between (i) the characteristics of distinct plastic waste streams, (ii) the selected processing methods, (iii) the morphology and structure of the resulting recycled material, (iv) the mechanical properties of the recycled material and (v) the grading of the obtained material and its properties into suitable architectural applications. The fundamental overarching knowledge gap is the correlation between the manner that distinct types of contaminated plastic waste are mechanically recycled to the resulting material micro-, meso- and macro- level structure and associated material properties.

To investigate this, the thesis requires a significant amount of laboratory work, with the aim to: (i) map the current material flows and challenges of plastic waste, (ii) characterize the selected waste streams, (iii) investigate suitable production processes and optimum processing parameters, (iv) evaluate the obtained material structure using applicable material characterization techniques, (v) mechanically test the recycled materials and identify critical contaminants, (vi) combine all the above data to form a cause-effect correlation between waste type, processing, recycled structure and mechanical properties and (vii) suggest suitable architectural applications for the mechanical and visual properties of the obtained recycled materials.

In this manner, the project aims to shed light on the creation mechanisms and mechanical behaviour of different inhomogeneous meso-level structures in recycled plastic materials. Defining this relationship will provide engineered recycled plastic materials within a predictable range of material properties. This will contribute to unlocking the use of recycled plastics in the building sector, thereby leading to significant savings in raw materials and carbon dioxide emissions and preventing plastic waste from leaching into the natural environment and impacting our health.

You will hold an appointment at the Structures & Materials section, Restruct Group, Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology under the supervision of dr. Telesilla Bristogianni, dr. Faidra Oikonomopoulou and Prof. dr. Mauro Overend. The position is funded for a duration of 4 years, during which you will (i) undertake research on your PhD topics and (ii) assist with the educational and research agenda of the host group at the AE+T Department.

In the department of Architectural Engineering + Technology we currently have 6 PhD positions open. Click here to see all 6 vacancies.

Requirements
You should have:

• A MSc in Building Technology, Architectural Engineering, Material Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Mechanics, or related fields (your MSc thesis should preferably be related to the engineering and prototyping of (recycled) materials or plastics).
• A strong background in material science & testing, material prototyping, and at least in two more of the following aspects: material processing, structural design, fracture analysis, strength & defect identification, mechanical properties of recycled materials, microscopy, life-cycle-analysis (LCA) of materials.
• Working knowledge or expertise and excellent skills on material prototyping and physical, chemical and mechanical behaviour and properties of materials, preferably of plastics.
• Teaching interest and/or experience in structural/architectural design and material selection courses.
• Ability to work in a team, take initiatives, and be results-oriented.
• You enjoy performing research, including laboratory work. You are independent, self-motivated and eager to learn; you are keen to develop new fundamental knowledge and engineer novel solutions for addressing real-world societal challenges.

It would be a plus if you also have:

• Experience with recycled materials, preferably plastics.
• Working experience with structural design or with novel materials.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment
The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty's success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy from early in the morning until late at night, with four thousand people studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge. Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world rankings.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment.

Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Telesilla Bristogianni, e-mail: t.bristogianni@tudelft.nl.

For information about the application procedure, please contact Nynke Schik, HR advisor, e-mail: recruitment-BK@tudelft.nl.

The position will remain open until the 2nd of February, 2025 (local Dutch time: UTC time + 2 hrs).

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 2 February 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Motivation letter (no more than 600 words) addressing your interests and describing how your experience and plans fit with the position.
• Detailed CV - highlight examples of projects and/or achievements and previous experience that demonstrate skills relevant to the advertised position; (max. 8 pages).
• MSc thesis and, if applicable, one or two notable publications you have authored or projects you have participated at (please indicate carefully what your contribution is in case of group work).
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
• Contact information for two references (letters not required at this stage).

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5