PhD Researcher Positions in Sustainable Carbon-based Materials and Composites

nnoRenew CoE seeks highly motivated and qualified applicants for two available PhD researcher positions (Assistant Researcher) in the field of sustainable carbon-based materials and composites.

As Assistant Researchers, the successful candidates will be responsible for development and optimization of carbon-based materials and composites for various applications. Positions are part of InnoRenew CoE’s Renewable Materials Composite (RMC) research group (Izola, Slovenia), which focuses on advancing building efficiency and human health through the development of composite materials with enhanced properties.

As doctoral students, the successful candidates will enroll in the Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments (RMHBE) doctoral program at the University of Primorska (Koper, Slovenia). RMHBE offers doctoral students an interdisciplinary education to gain the theoretical knowledge and technical skills needed to solve the field’s most complex and demanding problems. RMHBE graduates emerge as expert researchers sought after by academia, public institutions, and private industry. The study program is implemented in Slovenian and English.

Position overview

RMC Assistant Researcher positions involve work related to thermochemical treatment (carbonization) of biomass and development of high-value composites, coatings, and sensor materials. Specifically, research will include:

• Developing novel pre- and post-processing methodologies for carbonization of biomass
• Developing composite materials and protective coatings using carbonized biomass
• Evaluating the electrical properties of thermochemically treated biomass and resulting composite materials

RMC Assistant Researchers are expected to pursue research that leads to new discoveries in the processing of wood and plant-based biomass into highly ordered, porous bio-carbon and exploration of these materials for use in composites and protective coatings. RMC Assistant Researchers will carry out laboratory-based experimental work, prepare review material related to state-of-the-art knowledge in carbon materials, composites, and coatings, and assist in the preparation of scientific articles and proposals.

Required qualifications

• M.S. (master of science) in wood science, material science, chemistry, biomaterial engineering or related area
• Experience in bio-based materials and/or carbon materials
• Experience with lab work and data analysis
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English
• Ability to interact with industry and other researchers