PhD position in micro- and nanoplastic research

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

Job summary

Utrecht University seeks a PhD candidate to bridge analytical chemistry and toxicology, studying bio-based and degradable plastics, their degradation products, and potential human health effects. You will work across ISCC and IRAS, combining chemistry, materials science and toxicology to advance Safe and Sustainable by Design.

The project spans two institutes, involves advanced characterization and in vitro models, and aims to translate findings into design recommendations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in chemistry or closely related field.
• Experience in micro- and nanoplastic research, or in chemistry and toxicology during Bachelor’s or Master’s work.
• Analytical/materials chemistry techniques such as FT-IR micro-spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy; in vitro toxicology.
• Independent, critical thinker with collaboration across disciplines.
• Strong written and spoken English for an international consortium.

Responsibilities

• Investigate plastic degradation by exposing pristine polymers to controlled conditions and assess changes in chemical composition and material integrity.
• Characterize degradation products including micro- and nanoplastics, dissolved compounds and leachates using multiple analytical techniques.
• Assess hazards using tiered in vitro testing, starting with cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and endocrine activity screening.
• Study higher tier biological effects in human-relevant cell models focusing on uptake, barrier integrity, inflammation, and metabolism.
• Integrate chemical and toxicological findings to guide Safe and Sustainable by Design recommendations.

Skills

micro- and nanoplastic research

analytical chemistry

in vitro toxicology

interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in chemistry or closely related field

Tools

FT-IR micro-spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy

AFM

AFM-IR

Electron microscopy

Mass spectrometry

Job 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.

Your qualities

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.

Our offer

• 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.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

This PhD position is embedded in two complementary research institutes at Utrecht University: the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry (ISCC) within the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, and the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Your formal appointment will be within the Department of Chemistry, while your research activities and working time will be approximately equally divided between ISCC and IRAS.

ISCC brings together researchers working on the chemistry needed for a more sustainable and circular society. Within the institute, you will work in an interdisciplinary environment spanning sustainable materials, polymer chemistry, analytical chemistry and advanced characterization. You will have access to expertise and infrastructure for plastic degradation, micro- and nanoplastic generation and characterization, and spectroscopic and microscopic analysis.

IRAS conducts interdisciplinary research on the human health risks of environmental exposures. Within IRAS, you will work alongside researchers with expertise in human toxicology, micro- and nanoplastics, neurotoxicology and risk assessment. The institute provides a strong environment for in vitro toxicology, including human-relevant cellular models, mechanistic toxicity studies and approaches that contribute to human health risk assessment.

Both research teams combine ambitious science with an open, collaborative and informal working atmosphere. You will join groups where people readily exchange ideas and expertise, help each other across disciplinary boundaries, and also make time for the social side of working together. We aim to provide an environment in which you can develop your own scientific identity while always having a broad team around you to discuss an unexpected result, learn a new technique, challenge an interpretation, or simply enjoy working with.

More information

For more information, please send an email to [e-mail].

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.

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