Sustainable Polymer Processing & Testing Researcher

TNO; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Flexible working hours

Hybrid work option

33 days annual leave + flex holiday

Job summary

TNO in the Netherlands seeks a Researcher in Polymer Processing & Testing to address sustainability in polymers. You will conduct extrusion-based processing, ageing studies, and degradation analyses on virgin and recycled polymers and elastomers, applying spectroscopy, microscopy and mechanical testing to derive meaningful conclusions.

You will collaborate across multidisciplinary teams at High Tech Campus Eindhoven and Brightlands Chemelot Campus Geleen, traveling for experiments and joint work

Qualifications

• Bachelor in Polymer Engineering, Materials Science or closely related discipline.
• Strong understanding of polymer materials and relationship between processing, structure and properties.
• Hands-on experience with polymer processing (extrusion) and/or polymer characterization preferred.
• Proficiency in laboratory work, handling chemicals, operating analytical and processing equipment, and data analysis.
• Ability to develop, modify and troubleshoot experimental setups and test methods.
• Interest in sustainability challenges: recycling, PFAS replacement and microplastics formation.
• Good command of English for international collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Process polymers using lab- and pilot-scale extrusion equipment.
• Perform accelerated ageing experiments on virgin and recycled polymers and elastomers.
• Investigate polymer degradation, durability and microplastic formation.
• Evaluate alternative materials for PFAS-containing polymers.
• Build and modify experimental setups and measurement methods.
• Characterize polymers and microplastics with FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis, and microscopy.
• Conduct mechanical, thermal and rheological tests and analyze results.
• Present findings to project teams and external partners.

Skills

Polymer processing

Materials science

Data analysis

Experiment design

Sustainability

Education

Bachelor in Polymer Engineering

Tools

FTIR

Raman

UV-Vis

DSC

TGA

SLS

DLS

Microscopy

Rheology

Job description

TNO in the Netherlands seeks a Researcher in Polymer Processing & Testing to address sustainability in polymers. You will conduct extrusion-based processing, ageing studies, and degradation analyses on virgin and recycled polymers and elastomers, applying spectroscopy, microscopy and mechanical testing to derive meaningful conclusions.

You will collaborate across multidisciplinary teams at High Tech Campus Eindhoven and Brightlands Chemelot Campus Geleen, traveling for experiments and joint work