Temporary contract | 24 months | HAUTCHARAGE

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

In 2024, LIST and GOODYEAR signed the second phase of their partnership, 2024-2029, building on the outcomes of their previous collaboration and entering new technological areas as well. GOODYEAR-LIST partnership 2.0 embraces Luxembourg's National priorities, such as Sustainability, Digital transformation and Circular economy, through the execution of five Strategic Research Programs: Data Science for Tires, Tire as a Sensor, End-of-Life Tire Valorization, Sustainable Materials for Next Generation of Pneumatic Tires, Structure- Properties-Process Relationships.

The “End-of-Life Tire Valorization (ELT)” program will focus on developing effective cradle-to-cradle recycling approaches for end-of-life tires, an environmental and economic challenge. Along those lines, understanding the effects of incorporating post-consumer tire compounds into new tire formulations and developing improved recycling processes will require expertise in chemistry and physics.

In this project, rubber devulcanization is explored as a method to convert end-of-life tires into valuable feedstock for rubber production. End-of-life tires pose significant challenges due to their sulfur content and crosslinking, which result in reduced compatibility and performance when used in new rubber compounds. Addressing these challenges through devulcanization can unlock their potential as a valuable, sustainable feedstock. Devulcanization refers to the breakdown of the three-dimensional sulfur crosslinked network (including monosulfide, disulfide, and polysulfide bonds) without causing degradation of the polymer chains. A continuous devulcanization process will be developed, combining both chemical and thermo-mechanical approaches in a reactive extrusion process, considered the most straightforward and sustainable solution to date.

As part of it, we are currently looking for a Post doc in Reactive extrusion for elastomer devulcanization

How will you contribute?

The project will evaluate several tasks in both laboratory-scale wet chemistry experiments and on larger melt-processing equipment to scale up the process:

 You will be in charge of:

Conducting wet chemistry tests to optimize processing conditions, including the use of various catalysts

Characterizing the novel rubbers using techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)

Melt processing: incorporating the devulcanized material into elastomer formulations and vulcanizing the compounds

Testing the resulting rubber compounds using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

•  PhD in polymer/rubber chemistry and/or polymer process engineering

Experience and skills

•  Strong background and extensive hands-on experience in organic synthetic chemistry;
•  Experience with standard wet- and air-sensitive chemistry techniques;
•  Experience in use of modern characterization techniques such as FT-IR, GPC, DSC, TGA;
• Ability to analyze NMR spectra;
• Knowledge of Chemdraw or similar software for drawing and analysing of chemical structures;
• Ability to work creatively and independently, including experience in writing research reports, giving oral talks and performing scientific literature search
• Demonstrated competencies in de-polymerization will be highly valued;
• Experience in metals and alloys stability and synthesis is also a plus;
• Knowledge and experience in rubber compounding and processing will be an asset;
• Experience in using AFM, SEM, TEM or mechanical testing will be considered as an asset;
• Knowledge of Origin and Excel will be counted as a plus;
• Finally, the selected person should show collaborative skills, initiative, result oriented, organization, and capacity to work as part of an international team, in an interdisciplinary environment.

Language skills

• Good level in both written and spoken English

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects
• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society
• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do
• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas
• Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills
• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce
• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions
• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science
• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance
• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Apply online

Your application must include:

• A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience
• A scientific CV with contact details
• List of publications (and patents, if applicable)
• Contact details of 2 references

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

Discover our Materials activities: https://www.list.lu/en/materials/

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

Please note that by applying you consent to share your application with Dr Marcel WIRTZ (R&D Grant and Partnership Manager), Dr Luisa MUNOZ MEJIA (Principal Engineer Global Material Sustainability), from Goodyear.