Research area: Polymer Physics, Polymer Processing, Recycled Polyamides, Materials Informatics
Contract type: Full-time, fixed-term postdoctoral position
Contract duration: 2 years
Start date: Available immediately / As soon as possible
Application deadline: Open until the position is filled
Project Description
The Bio-based Materials Research Team at Nanjing Tech University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the physical behaviour, processing and intelligent design of polyester and polyamide materials.
The principal project will focus on the high-value reuse of recycled polyamides, particularly PA6 and PA66, by integrating polymer physics, reactive processing, interfacial engineering and AI for Science.
Recycled polyamides frequently exhibit molecular-weight loss, end-group imbalance, hydrolytic and thermo-oxidative degradation, unstable melt viscosity, altered crystallisation behaviour and reduced processing stability. These problems are further complicated by variations in feedstock source, contamination level and processing history.
The successful candidate will develop an integrated research framework linking:
feedstock characterisation, chain reconstruction, reactive processing, morphology control, property prediction and product validation.
The project will combine experimental polymer science with molecular simulation, machine learning and data-driven optimisation to accelerate the development of high-performance recycled polyamide materials.
Main Research Topics
Integrated Study of Recycled Polyamides
The project will focus on understanding and improving the structure–processing–property relationships of recycled PA6 and PA66 through an integrated approach combining physical characterisation, reactive processing and data-driven modelling.
AI-assisted methods will be incorporated to analyse experimental and processing data, predict material behaviour and guide formulation and process optimisation.
The overall aim is to establish a coherent framework linking feedstock quality, molecular structure, processing conditions and final performance, enabling the efficient and high-value utilisation of recycled polyamides.
Research Environment
The research programme covers the full chain from molecular and material design to processing, product development and industrial application.
The successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with researchers in polymer chemistry, polymer physics, chemical engineering, computational materials science and industrial biotechnology.
The project provides an interdisciplinary environment in which experimental polymer research can be integrated with molecular simulation, high-throughput screening, machine learning and industrial process development.
Candidate Profile
Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in one of the following or a closely related field:
polymer science and engineering;
polymer physics;
materials science;
chemical engineering;
polymer processing;
computational materials science;
computational chemistry;
artificial intelligence;
materials informatics;
data science.
Applicants should demonstrate:
a strong research background relevant to the project;
the ability to conduct independent and collaborative research;
experience in scientific writing and data analysis;
a record of peer-reviewed publications or relevant technological achievements;
good communication skills in English;
an interest in interdisciplinary research combining experiment, simulation and data science.
Desirable Experience
Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:
PA6 or PA66 materials;
polymer crystallisation and rheology;
reactive extrusion and chain extension;
polymer blending, compatibilisation and composites;
melt spinning;
molecular dynamics and machine learning;
graph neural networks and Bayesian optimisation;
high-throughput screening and polymer databases;
industrial scale-up or product development.
Candidates are not expected to have expertise in every area. Applicants with strong experimental polymer-processing backgrounds or strong computational and AI backgrounds are both encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
develop and conduct an independent postdoctoral research project;
design and carry out experiments, simulations or data-driven studies;
analyse relationships among molecular structure, processing, morphology and properties;
present findings at academic conferences;
contribute to research proposals and project reports;
participate in interdisciplinary and industrial collaborations;
assist in supervising postgraduate and undergraduate students;
contribute to the development of datasets, modelling workflows, formulations or processing methods.
Employment Conditions and Support
The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term postdoctoral position for a period of two years.
The gross annual salary will be in the range of RMB 250,000–500,000, depending on the candidate’s qualifications, research experience, academic achievements and eligibility for relevant institutional or talent-support programmes.
The successful candidate is expected to take up the position as soon as possible.
Additional support may include:
access to polymer characterisation, processing and computational facilities;
participation in national and industrial research projects;
support for applications to postdoctoral research funds and talent programmes;
opportunities for collaboration with academic and industrial partners;
support for technology transfer and product development;
career development support for future academic or industrial positions.
Outstanding postdoctoral researchers may be considered for further academic opportunities at Nanjing Tech University, subject to institutional recruitment policies and evaluation procedures.
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit the following documents in English:
A detailed curriculum vitae
A complete publication list
Copies or links to representative publications
A brief summary of previous research achievements
A one- to two-page statement of research interests and proposed contribution to the project
Contact details of two academic referees
Any supporting materials demonstrating experimental, computational or industrial experience
Applications should be sent by email to:
Professor Jin Huang
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering
Nanjing Tech University
Email:
[email protected]Please use the following email subject line:
Postdoctoral Application – Full Name – Recycled Polyamides / Polymer Physics / AI for Science
