Apply now »
PhD Position in Pickering Emulsion Rheology and StabilityFaculty/Services: Faculty of Science
Educational level: Master
Function type: PhD position
Closing date: 30 September 2023
Vacancy number: 12044
Would you like to start your career in a European training network of leading research universities and professionals from the industry? Then you might be interested in this PhD position, which will enable you to join the PICKFOOD project.
PICKFOOD is a top level interdisciplinary training and research programme involving 15 PhD positions across physics, physical chemistry and food science. PICKFOOD aims to create at European level a network of next generation young scientists trained in novel methodologies within Pickering emulsions research enabling the development of safe, healthy and functional foods and at the same time minimizing food waste due to lipid oxidation.
This PhD position concerns study of the formation, rheology and stability of Pickering emulsions in simple model systems- the aim is to find general rules rather than system-specific details. You will be associated with the thriving Soft Matter group of the Institute of Physics at the University of Amsterdam. The University of Amsterdam is a leading university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom Secondments with the partners of this European project will be possible.
What are you going to do?
During your PhD project you will study the physics and physical chemistry of emulsification, including catastrophic phase inversion. The latter is an important example of emulsion stability; we will ask the question under what conditions water in oil and oil in water emulsions will form, and be stable or unstable. In addition, we will study the rheology and come up with generically applicable models for the rheology of simple model emulsion systems. One question of particular interest will be the slow evolution by small rearrangements of emulsions systems; these in principle should not happen in athermal systems in which the energy barriers for rearrangements are high, but are observed in practice.
During the PhD work you will:
What do you have to offer?
Furthermore you should have:
Because this project is part of an EU training network the following eligibility rules apply:
The applicant shall, at the time of recruitment by the University of Amsterdam, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. Full-time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree which would formally entitle him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited.
The applicant is required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up his/her appointment. At the time of recruitment by the host beneficiary, the applicant must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date
Our offer
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,541 to € 3,247 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.
About us
The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
The Van der Waals - Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (IoP-WZI) is part of the IoP and home to three research clusters: Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QG&QI), Quantum Materials (QMat) , and Soft Matter (SM).
The Soft matter group is a lively group comprising over 60 researchers that has excellent facilities and is active in areas located at the overlap between soft matter physics and engineering. The research is powered both by fundamental, knowledge-based drive and an ambition to maximize the transfer and exploitation of our results in industry and society in general. The main research areas include hydrodynamics and rheology, complex fluids (surfactants, colloids, and polymers), the glass transition and nucleation. There are many publications in top journals and several major national and International events in our field are organised by the group.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Any questions?
Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation? Please contact: Prof. Daniel Bonn, email [email protected]
Job application
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 30 September 2023.
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file ):
The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.
No agencies please
Apply now »