SD-25061 - POSTDOC FOR ADVANCING THE DURABILITY OF NATURAL FIBRE COMPOSITES

Temporary contract | till 31/12/2026 | Full-time/40h | Hautcharage Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

How will you contribute?

This position is developed in the frame of the Sustainable Composite Materials & Manufacturing (SCMM) Innovation Centre, supported by the Ministry of Research, the Ministry on Economy, and LIST. SCMM focuses its Research and Technology Developments on the challenges in transport sectors towards zero‐emission mobility solutions. The initiative is endorsed by large OEMs in the automotive, rail, aeronautic and space sectors (Toyota, Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and Alstom), which steer the centre’s vision and endorse the R&T roadmap.

LIST's mission will then be to accelerate the use of sustainable materials for ultra-lightweight functional parts, and to develop industrial processes with a low carbon footprint. These technological building blocks will be integrated in the form of demonstrators developed and constructed with the involvement of composite material manufacturers, members of the SCMM, concerning vehicle bodywork, interior panels, and structural vehicle components.

We are seeking a motivated researcher to join the SCMM project, focusing on the processing of sustainable fiber reinforced composites, advanced characterization and durability of the system The role involves producing semi-finished products such pre-pregs and tapes and investigating mechanical performance, environmental ageing, and material optimization for sustainable applications. Ideal candidates have a background in materials science, composites, or related fields, along with a passion for innovative and sustainable solutions.

The candidate must fulfill the following key requirements:

1. Composite (thermoset and thermoplastic) processing and Manufacturing Skills: The ideal candidate should possess hands-on expertise in composite manufacturing and processing across a spectrum of techniques.

2. Natural Fiber Specialization: It is imperative that the candidate demonstrates substantial experience and mastery in working with natural fibers within the realm of composite applications. This necessitates a strong foundation in the selection, preparation, and seamless integration of natural fibers into composite materials.

3. Polymer and Chemistry background: The candidate should possess knowledge and experience in the chemistry of materials, particularly in the context of enhancing the durability of natural fiber composites. Relevant technical expertise in natural fiber surface modifications and a strong understanding of the hygrothermal behavior of natural fiber composites are essential.

4. Technical Proficiency: The candidate must possess an extensive technical background and expertise in mechanical characterization (tensile, bending, compression, impact, creep, fatigue), micromechanical characterization, thermal and chemical characterization of materials. This entails familiarity with a diverse array of characterization tools and techniques, including but not limited to FTIR, XPS, SEM, ESEM, TGA, DSC, DMA, X-ray computed tomography (XCT), Acoustic Emission, among others.

5. Experience in the durability of natural fiber composites, and a focus on creep life-span prediction, fatigue behavior, and damage evolution analysis, is considered a strong qualification.

6. Technical Adaptability: The role emphasizes the capacity for adaptability and innovation, particularly in the context of equipment modification and the design of laboratory and pilot-scale equipment. The expectation is to create customized equipment setups tailored to specific research requirements.

7. Collaborative and Communicative: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within an international team are essential. Given the specialized nature of the work, effective communication and teamwork are pivotal in achieving research objectives. Experience in a collaborative European project is an asset.

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.

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

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

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

Education

• PhD, graduated in Materials science, materials engineering

Experience and skills

• Proven professional experience (2 years minimum) with a track record of both theoretical and practical competence in fiber-reinforced composite manufacturing, composite mechanics, interface engineering, and an ability to conduct hands-on experiments accurately and safely,

Language skills

• Good level both written and spoken English