Applications are open for a postdoctoral research project at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) on biobased polymers and materials, as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), a funding scheme from the European Commission to finance postdoctoral research projects.

The project will take place in the ‘Materials Research and Technology’ (MRT) department of LIST, where over 150 permanent and non-permanent employees undertake research activity on advanced materials and nanotechnologies in two main areas: nanomaterials and nanotechnology and sustainable polymeric materials.

The project idea that LIST is keen to develop is on the subject of optically active films with high mechanical performance based on renewable building blocks and using green chemistry. It is part of the research stream of ‘Biobased Polymers and Materials’ led by Dr Habibi, which is works across many branches of the sustainable production of materials from renewable resources including the design of new bio-derived polymers and natural nano-sized fillers, development of high-performance nanocomposites from lignocellulosic materials, biomass conversion technologies toward functional and intelligent polymers and materials, and the application of novel analytical tools to biomass.

The research opportunity is open to potential PhD students finishing their thesis before September 2019 or postdoctoral fellows looking for new opportunities in a state-of-the-art research facility in Luxembourg.

An application to the MSCA scheme would entail writing a research proposal together with the host institute. MSCA will support the proposal writing free of charge through trainings and writing support if needed. The deadline for the submission of the final proposal is in September 2019 and the project would start around mid-2020. The fellowship includes a salary, travel and training costs, as well as a family allowance if applicable.

Any interested applicants should contact Charles Betz, national delegate of Luxembourg to the MSCA, by 30 April at charles.betz@luxinnovation.lu.

You can find out more information on funding and the MSCA fellowships on the European Commission website.