4-year Postdoc position: 3D-printing of polymer foams for drones (resin formulation)

AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 49,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

8.3% year-end bonus

Pension scheme

Hybrid / work-from-home option

Campus sports facilities access

Parental leave support

Job summary

University of Twente (UT) invites applications for a 4-year post-doctoral position focusing on the development of resin formulations for Direct Bubble Writing, a novel additive manufacturing process for polymer foams. The role emphasizes chemical formulation, fluid mechanics, and materials science within a motivated team.

You will lead resin formulation challenges and collaborate with two PhD-level colleagues and project partners to advance printable, high-performance foams and composites.

Qualifications

• Must have PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science.
• Excellent analytical abilities and strong problem-solving skills.
• Interest in additive manufacturing and connecting fundamental and applied aspects.
• Experience with (micro)materials characterization, chemical characterization, or material visualization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation challenges of the foam printing resins.
• Formulate resins to enable printing of stiff, light, and dampening parts with minimal post-processing.
• Collaborate closely with two PhD/PD-level team members on process understanding and integration.
• Work with project partners and contribute to scaling and applying advanced foams and composites.
• Communicate progress through scientific writing and presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

English fluent

Additive manufacturing

Communication skills

Education

PhD in chemistry/chemical engineering/materials science

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Twente (UT) Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Chemical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 40.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Job description
In the context of a NWO-KIC grant “Materials for defense”, we will investigate fluidic/chemical routes enabling a new generation of porous, graded, and composite materials. We are assembling a team of excellent and highly motivated scientists, who will together investigate and advance the fluid mechanics, the resin formulation, the mechanical properties, and process integration during Direct Bubble Writing. This novel additive manufacturing process for polymer foams was recently invented and patented by the University of Twente. The team will closely interact with ten project partners, including National Dutch Research Institutes (NLR and MARIN), the Ministry of Defense, and globally leading industry partners specializing in the chemistry, the methods (design, printing, composites), or key applications (sailing/flying drones). In the final stage of the project, the printed materials will be tested in unmanned airborne/seaborne vehicles.
We are looking for a chemist/chemical engineer/materials scientist (4-year Post-doc; this vacancy), leading the formulation challenges of the foam printing resins. You will focus on formulating resins (rather than synthesis), enabling e.g. printing of stiff, light, and dampening parts with minimal post-processing. An understanding of photo-curable systems, resin formulation, fluid mechanics, and/or soft matter is beneficial. The position is hosted at the University of Twente, starting 1 Jan 2027 or as soon as possible after that date.
You will closely collaborate with two PhD/PD-level team members who will (1) lead the understanding and development of the fluidic print process, and (2) lead the integration of printed foams with composites and subsequent upscaling. Together, you will fundamentally change how foams are made: From uniform blocks to precisely graded materials at cell level. Based on this understanding, the team will systematically develop methods for integration, scaling, and application of advanced foams and composites.

We seek motivated colleagues who are excited about the scientific, engineering, and collaborative aspects of the project. Ideally, your CV reflects excellent scientific results, an interest broader than your PhD program, and the ability to deliver results with a team. Specifically:

• You are an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher;
• You have obtained a PhD degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science.
• You have excellent analytical skills and a strong ability for solution-oriented problem solving.
• You have strong interests in additive manufacturing, including connecting the fundamental and applied aspects.
• You have experience in (micro)materials characterization, chemical characterization, and/or material visualization techniques. Experience in e.g. resin formulation, microfluidics, and advanced optical analysis techniques are considered as a benefit.
• You possess excellent communication skills, including scientific writing and presenting to a specialized or general audience.
• You enjoy working in a team;
• You have a creative and critical attitude, combined with perseverance and being flexible.
• You are fluent in English and preferably also in Dutch.

Additional Information

• You will be appointed for a period of maximum 4 years full-time within a stimulating scientific environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• Gross salary between € 4.422,- (step 4) and € 5.760,- (step 12) per month depending on experience and qualifications;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme;
• The flexibility to work (partially) from home;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development.
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.
• We are a family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid) and career support for partners.