PhD position in micro- and nanoplastic research

Utrecht University via AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CAO NU salary 3,204–4,051 €/mo

8% holiday pay

8.3% year-end bonus

Pension scheme

Job summary

Utrecht University invites applications for an interdisciplinary PhD project focusing on bio-based and degradable plastics. The research connects analytical chemistry and toxicology to assess safety during degradation, identifying micro- and nanoplastics and leachates and evaluating health effects using in vitro systems.

You will work across ISCC and IRAS, collaborating with chemistry, materials science and toxicology teams, contributing to Safe and Sustainable by Design strategies and engaging

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in chemistry, toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, materials science, or a closely related field (nearly completed acceptable).

Responsibilities

• Investigate plastic degradation under controlled conditions to study chemical changes.
• Characterize degradation products, including micro- and nanoplastics and leachates, with complementary analytical techniques.
• Assess human health hazards using in vitro toxicology with a tiered testing approach.
• Collaborate across ISCC and IRAS to bridge chemistry and toxicology insights.
• Translate findings into Safe and Sustainable by Design recommendations.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Toxicology

FT-IR micro-spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy

Education

Master’s degree in chemistry or related field

Tools

FT-IR micro-spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy

Job description

Organisation/Company Utrecht University Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Pharmacological sciences » Toxicology Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 30 Nov 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

Bio-based and biodegradable materials are promising alternatives to fossil-based plastics, but how safe and sustainable are they? In this interdisciplinary PhD project, you will connect analytical chemistry and toxicology to investigate how these future plastics break down, characterize the resulting micro- and nanoplastics and leachates, and assess their potential human health effects. Your findings will contribute directly to the Safe and Sustainable by Design of next-generation plastics.
Your job
In this PhD project, you will investigate whether new bio-based and degradable plastics are truly safe and sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil-based plastics. You will follow these materials throughout their entire degradation process: from changes in the original plastic to the formation and identification of micro- and nanoplastics and chemical leachates, and ultimately to their potential effects on human health. Your research will combine analytical chemistry, materials characterization and in vitro toxicology.

You will:

• Investigate plastic degradation by exposing pristine polymers and plastic products to controlled food-contact and environmental conditions, studying changes in their chemical composition, physical properties and material integrity;
• Characterize polymer degradation products, including micro- and nanoplastics, dissolved compounds and leachates, using complementary analytical techniques such as infrared microspectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), AFM-IR, electron microscopy and mass spectrometry;
• Assess potential human health hazards of plastic materials and their degradation products using a tiered in vitro testing strategy, starting with screening for cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and endocrine activity;
• Investigate higher tier biological effects and mechanisms of toxicity using human-relevant cell models, including intestinal, liver, immune and neuronal systems, to study particle uptake, biological barrier integrity, inflammation, metabolism and neurotoxicity;
• Integrate chemical and toxicological findings to establish relationships between polymer composition, degradation behavior and biological effects, translating these insights into actionable recommendations for Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD).

A unique aspect of this position is that you will work across two research environments at Utrecht University. You will spend roughly half of your time at the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry (ISCC) and half at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS). Rather than conducting chemistry and toxicology as separate components, you will actively connect them: toxicological observations can trigger further chemical analysis, while insights into degradation and composition will guide toxicological experiments. In this way, you will serve as a scientific bridge between the two institutes. You will also collaborate closely with researchers from chemistry, materials science and toxicology, as well as the broader interdisciplinary BIOSTAR-SSbD consortium and its academic, societal and industrial partners. Through this environment, you will develop a unique interdisciplinary scientific profile at the interface of analytical chemistry, micro- and nanoplastics research, toxicology and sustainable materials design.

We are looking for a curious and collaborative researcher who is excited to work at the interface of chemistry and toxicology.
We would like you to bring:

• a completed or nearly (within 3 months) completed Master’s degree in chemistry, toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, materials science, or a closely related field;
• experience in micro-and nanoplastic research, or experience in both chemistry and toxicology during Bachelor’s or Master’s research projects;
• experimental research experience using analytical/materials chemistry (such as FT-IR micro-spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy) and in vitro toxicology
• a critical and independent scientific mindset, combined with the ability and enthusiasm to collaborate across disciplines and research environments;
• good written and spoken English and strong communication skills to thrive in an interdisciplinary and international consortium.

Additional Information

• a position for 18 months, with an extension to a total of four years upon a positive assessment in the first 18 months, starting no later than June 1st 2027, but preferably earlier;
• a full-time working week and a gross monthly salary between €3.204,- and €4.051,- (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU), job profile PhD Candidate). The salary is based on a 38-hour working week;
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment set out in our collective labour agreement, we offer attractive additional benefits, including opportunities for personal and professional growth , flexible leave arrangements, and extra vacation days. Through the UU Terms of Employment Options Model, you can tailor your employment package to your needs. In this way, we encourage you to grow in what you do, both in your work and in your development. Read more about our terms of employment .

Selection process

At Utrecht University, we stride to be a place where everyone feels at home. We value colleagues with different backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including differences in culture, religion or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability and age. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. If you have any questions about accessibility, the application process or your work, please contact us via our HR contact page .
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.