Postdoc- Microgel synthesis – Kinetics, particle formation and reactor modeling (Aachen, Germany)

28 août 2012 admin Scholar of the month, Scholarship / Bourses

The Chair of Process Systems Engineering (AVT.PT) is part of the Aachener Verfahrenstechnik at RWTH Aachen, consists of about 30 researchers and is directed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. W. Marquardt. The research is focused on the development of basic principles of mathematical modeling, the combination of experiments and modeling, conceptual process design, process operations and control as well as the development of numerical algorithms and software-tools. The algorithmic research is integrated in the graduate school AICES and in the German Research School of Simulation Sciences. The methodological aspect is complemented by applications in the process industries.

Your profile:
You have received an excellent master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field. A doctoral degree (or equivalent) is greatly appreciated. Experiences in model development, model identification and/or polymerization are beneficial. You should feel at ease working in interdisciplinary projects and be interested in modeling complex physical phenomena. Good language skills of both German and English will be required in this interdisciplinary project.

Your duties and responsibilities:

Microgel are functional polymer particles which are considered as „smart“ materials as they can (reversibly) respond to changes of their environment (e.g. pH-value, temperature, etc.). Consequently, they qualify for a wide range of applications in biological and chemical systems. In the CRC project “Functional Microgels and Microgel Systems”, novel microgel systems will be investigated including their production processes and a tailoring of their properties towards the future application.

In this project, the mechanisms of microgel formation should be studied and modeled for the surfactant-free precipitation polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamid (NIPAAm) und N-vinylcaprolactam (VCL) in aqueous phase. All processing steps, i.e. the microgel formation and growth (of the polymer chains), will be examined and characterized experimentally in cooperation with the Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry (ITMC, RWTH Aachen University). The task includes the development of a mathematical model for the microgel synthesis using the methodology of model-based experimental analysis (MEXA) to (quantitatively) predict the polymerization process and the microgel properties. The dynamic model will then be used for the model-based design of polymerization reactors (as well as entire flowsheets) and for model-predictive control in a later stage of the project. A model-based approach is absolutely necessary for the sustainable process design of high-quality microgel under economic feasible conditions.
Our offer:
The candidate will be employed as a regular employee. The candidate must meet the required personal qualifications. The position is to be filled as soon as possible and is for a fixed term of 12 months. Renewal is possible. This is a position or a research assistant with or without PhD. Salary is according to TV-L 13. The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree.
The weekly hours will be 39.83 hours. RWTH Aachen University has been certified as a « Family Friendly University ».

RWTH is committed to promoting the careers of women and therefore looks forward to receiving applications by female candidates. For positions in organizational units where women are underrepresented, in cases of equal qualification, ability and professional achievement, preference will be given to female applicants unless reasons specific to an individual candidate tilt the balance in his favor.
The University positively welcomes applications from suitably qualified disabled people.
Contact:
For further information, please contact:
Herr Dipl.-Ing. Jörn Viell
Tel.: +49 (0) 80-97010
Fax: +49 (0) 80-92326
E-Mail: Joern.Viell@avt.rwth-aachen.de
You can also obtain further information from our website: http://www.avt.rwth-aachen.de
Please send your application to RWTH Aachen
Aachener Verfahrenstechnik – Prozesstechnik
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt
Turmstrasse 46
52064 Aachen

Or submit via e-mail to: jobs.pt@avt.rwth-aachen.de

Bourses pour Étudiants et Chercheurs du Cameroun ( Suisse) PhD Scholarships in Political History at Ithe IMT Institute for Advanced Studies Lucca (Italy)