To strengthen our team, we are looking for a scientific employee (TV-L 13) to start as soon as possible.
The reintroduction of plastics into a material cycle, for example in the fields of packaging and automotive, has been a research and development area for many years, resulting in a wide range of recycling technologies. Material recycling is particularly crucial for a circular economy, as it preserves materials in their most original state, conserves resources, and is simultaneously economically and ecologically efficient. Challenges in material recycling include the separation of different types of plastics, the removal of contaminants and additives, and maintaining material quality throughout the recycling process. Due to the political goals set by the EU and the German government, there is significant demand to further develop and implement corresponding technologies and methods that improve the quality of secondary products. In addition to the recycling technologies themselves, such as sorting, washing, and processing, this also includes adapting existing plastic processing methods and developing new design strategies.
The field of research
In what is currently a very dynamic field, we at IKV primarily address practical issues that affect the economy in this area of tension in order to be able to offer holistic solutions. An important area of work is the evaluation and improvement of the recyclability of plastic products, e.g. the influence of material diversity and contamination on the properties of secondary products. The resulting tasks cover a wide range of topics. They can focus on the fundamentals of materials, chemical/physical interactions with plastics, recycling-friendly product design or process engineering and analytical problems.
Your task:
- Our main focus is on process technology to improve the processing of recyclates, with knowledge of materials and a close connection to instrumental analysis. We always work at the interface between the disciplines of mechanical engineering, chemistry and physics, which makes our research work in this field particularly versatile.
- As head of the working group, you will be responsible for the scientific and financial planning as well as the implementation of research projects in the field of circular economy of plastics.
- As part of this work, you will lead a motivated team of student assistants and supervise publicly funded research projects as well as projects with industry partners and project, Bachelor’s and Master’s theses.
- They are actively involved in defining relevant questions and deriving new research ideas.
- You will also be responsible for teaching at RWTH Aachen University and will be in direct contact with our industrial partners.
- They establish and maintain intensive contacts with numerous national and international industrial companies and research institutes.
- Of course, you will represent your specialist area in presentations and lectures at conferences, symposia and in training and further education.
Your qualification:
- You have successfully completed or are about to complete a diploma or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, e.g. specializing in plastics engineering or process engineering, or in materials engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry or similar courses at a technical college or university.
- Ideally, you will already have experience in the field of recycling and plastics technology.
- Knowledge of the material plastic is required.
- You enjoy working independently and are able to work on complex problems in a structured manner.
- You are also open in your dealings with people and have the ability to motivate yourself and others.
- In addition to German, you have a very good command of written and spoken English. We expect you to be confident in using MS Windows and Office.
Our offer:
We offer you an exciting, varied and versatile position in an open-minded, highly motivated team of scientists in which you will work independently. Your tasks will enable you to have intensive contact with partners from both industry and science. In addition, we offer you the opportunity to do a doctorate in the above-mentioned subject area.