PhD student on Cellulose Aerogels for Thermal Superinsulation

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

The Laboratory for Building Energy Materials and Components develops the next generation of porous materials for thermal insulation, carbon capture, sorption and other applications, often in close contact with industry. We aim to improve the sustainability of buildings and industrial processes with high-performance and/or low eco-impact materials.

PhD student on Cellulose Aerogels for Thermal Superinsulation

Your tasks

• Scientific research to improve the scalability of production of bio-based, high-performance thermal superinsulation materials based on cellulose, Earth's most abundant polymer.
• Planning, execution and interpretation of scientific research on biopolymer aerogels.
• Basic research on the sol-gel chemistry of cellulose nanofibrils and structure formation in cellulose gels.
• Apply those results to synthesize high-performance cellulose aerogels.
• Improve the scalability of the cellulose aerogel production process.
• Present your results at international conferences and in scientific publications.
• Supervision of intern students and semester projects that support your research project.

Your profile

• Completed Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in wet chemistry and/or materials synthesis and characterization.
• Sol-gel or aerogel experience is a benefit, but not required.
• Curiosity in the natural and man-made world around you.
• Fluent in English.

Our offer
The opportunity to do research within a team of experts in their fields, and with state-of-the-art facilities, with ample opportunities to take responsibility and to help shape your research project. We offer a supportive working environment and a safe-to-fail research culture, in a diverse and international research team. This is a fully funded position within a Swiss National Science Foundation project with a foreseen duration of 4 years, with the attractive working conditions of the ETH Domain.

We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.