Delft University of Technology Applied Sciences
Delft, (Zuid-Holland), 38 hours per week
Job description
Polyelectrolyte gels are permanently crosslinked polymer networks formed by polymer chains with chemical groups that ionize when in a polar solvent. They can absorb and retain 1.000 times their weight in water. They also exhibit a fascinating reversible volume phase-transition, triggerable by minute variations in temperature, solvent composition, pH, external electric fields or light. Despite the great progress made in the last decade on the response of those systems when stimulated by external fields, the phase transitions in the context of mass and ion transport, mechanical instabilities or under external constraints have yet to be explored. The potential of such soft actuators in Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) is huge since they can provide physical work via an external stimulus, but the powerful thermodynamic "physico-chemical-mechano drive" intrinsic to such systems has not yet been considered. The project aims to examine the physico-chemical bases of the actuation response of polyelectrolyte gels in response to external fields when submitted to confined geometries, focusing on the fundamentals of charge and mass transport triggered by phase transitions in confined geometries. The gels’ potential for MEMS and microfluidics will also be explored. The research will employ experimental techniques such as microfabrication and local probes, e.g., Atomic Force Microscopy.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
Candidates should possess a Master's degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or the equivalent. The project is basically experimental, and experience with laboratory work is expected from the candidate. An interest in modelling is also desirable.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers
Organization
Delft University of Technology
Applied Sciences
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognized level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools. The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,400 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science and Technology, and Applied Physics.
Date of entry: 19/03/2008
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The successful candidate will be employed full-time by the TU Delft for a fixed period of 4 years within which he or she is expected to write a dissertation leading to a doctoral degree (PhD thesis). The monthly salary for a PhD will be to a maximum of € 2558 gross in the fourth year. Benefits and other employment conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. For more information about this position or to apply, please contact Dr. Eduardo Mendes, phone: 31 (0)15-2782623, e-mail: e.mendes@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV along with a letter of application before May 31, 2008 to Dr. Mendes. When applying for this position, make sure to mention vacancy number TNWDCT08-024. TU Delft is an equal opportunity employer.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Eduardo Mendes, for more information about the position
Telephone number: 31 (0)15-2782623
E-mail address: e.mendes@tudelft.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:Application
You can apply for this job before 31-05-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Eduardo Mendes/DCT
E-mail: e.mendes@tudelft.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber TNWDCT08-024.
Job description
Polyelectrolyte gels are permanently crosslinked polymer networks formed by polymer chains with chemical groups that ionize when in a polar solvent. They can absorb and retain 1.000 times their weight in water. They also exhibit a fascinating reversible volume phase-transition, triggerable by minute variations in temperature, solvent composition, pH, external electric fields or light. Despite the great progress made in the last decade on the response of those systems when stimulated by external fields, the phase transitions in the context of mass and ion transport, mechanical instabilities or under external constraints have yet to be explored. The potential of such soft actuators in Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) is huge since they can provide physical work via an external stimulus, but the powerful thermodynamic "physico-chemical-mechano drive" intrinsic to such systems has not yet been considered. The project aims to examine the physico-chemical bases of the actuation response of polyelectrolyte gels in response to external fields when submitted to confined geometries, focusing on the fundamentals of charge and mass transport triggered by phase transitions in confined geometries. The gels’ potential for MEMS and microfluidics will also be explored. The research will employ experimental techniques such as microfabrication and local probes, e.g., Atomic Force Microscopy.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
Candidates should possess a Master's degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or the equivalent. The project is basically experimental, and experience with laboratory work is expected from the candidate. An interest in modelling is also desirable.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers
Organization
Delft University of Technology
Applied Sciences
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognized level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools. The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,400 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science and Technology, and Applied Physics.
Date of entry: 19/03/2008
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The successful candidate will be employed full-time by the TU Delft for a fixed period of 4 years within which he or she is expected to write a dissertation leading to a doctoral degree (PhD thesis). The monthly salary for a PhD will be to a maximum of € 2558 gross in the fourth year. Benefits and other employment conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. For more information about this position or to apply, please contact Dr. Eduardo Mendes, phone: 31 (0)15-2782623, e-mail: e.mendes@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV along with a letter of application before May 31, 2008 to Dr. Mendes. When applying for this position, make sure to mention vacancy number TNWDCT08-024. TU Delft is an equal opportunity employer.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Eduardo Mendes, for more information about the position
Telephone number: 31 (0)15-2782623
E-mail address: e.mendes@tudelft.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:Application
You can apply for this job before 31-05-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Eduardo Mendes/DCT
E-mail: e.mendes@tudelft.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber TNWDCT08-024.
