Postdoc in fluid dynamics and rheology of multicomponent droplets

An experimental postdoc position is available in the Garbin lab (https://garbinlab.org) on the flow physics of multicomponent droplets. These intriguing systems are central in advanced materials, chemical conversion, and even airborne disease transmission. Very often, complex interfaces formed by surfactants, proteins or colloids can completely govern the overall flow behaviour of multicomponent droplets. Understanding the role of complex interfaces on multicomponent, multiphase fluid mechanics remains a formidable challenge because quantitative measurements of the evolution of bulk and interfacial concentrations of the different components remain difficult. One specific application where a better fundamental understanding of multicomponent droplets is urgently needed, is Pickering emulsions for chemical conversion. These water/organic emulsions stabilized by solid particles hold exciting potential as platforms for sustainable chemical processing, promising higher conversion rates and selectivity, and easier catalyst recovery. However, despite promising lab-scale findings, application of Pickering emulsions is hampered by the current lack of understanding of the flow physics involved.

To address this knowledge gap and enable future applications, the project team will develop and integrate novel experimental approaches including in-situ, real-time visualization of concentration fields, advanced microstructure imaging, microfluidics, rheology and multiscale modelling. The project team comprises 2 PhDs and 2 postdocs working in close collaboration. This postdoc project is openly defined, and you will have the freedom to develop and choose approaches fitting both the research goals and your interests. Our lab has previously revealed fascinating dynamical phenomena of Pickering bubbles (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1504776112 ; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06049-9 ) and we have recently performed the first quantitative measurement of diffusion across the particle-laden interface of a Pickering droplet (https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM01262J ).

As a postdoc in the Garbin lab, you will join a diverse and interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers, embedded in the Transport Phenomena section of the Department of Chemical Engineering. You will have the opportunity to contribute to education and supervision. The project offers exciting synergies with our collaborators in catalysis, our international network, and with two industrial partners active in sustainable chemical conversion.

Qualifications: We seek an outstanding experimentalist with relevant research experience in fluid dynamics, rheology or soft matter, and with a strong affinity for interdisciplinary research. We are looking for a candidate who enjoys collaborations and easily communicates with researchers from different disciplines.

Applicants must:

• hold a PhD, or approach its completion, in Chemical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline;
• demonstrate excellent written and spoken English skills;
• demonstrate an open mind to work in an international, interdisciplinary, and highly collaborative environment;
• be able to communicate effectively with different audiences;
• be able, or willing to learn, to engage with societal stakeholders.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme  for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor’s and specialist Master’s programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

For more information, please contact Prof. Valeria Garbin via [email protected] .  

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 March 2024 via the application button. Your application should include:

• A motivation letter specific to this vacancy, in which you briefly describe why you apply for this position, your research interests, and your fit to our research group.
• A detailed CV.
• Names and email addresses of at least 2 references. 

Your application will be reviewed as soon as it is received.   

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.