Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher x2

Applications are invited for two 36-month positions as Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidates (DC3 and DC11) in the areas of synthetic organic chemistry, polymer chemistry and sustainable materials for electric vehicles. The successful applicants will join the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DN) POLY4EV, working under the supervision of Prof. Remzi Becer at the University of Warwick.

POLY4EV is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement number 101312540. The network brings together fifteen doctoral projects on the design, synthesis, characterisation and modelling of polymer materials that improve the efficiency and sustainability of electric vehicles, in lubricants, thermal management systems and battery electrodes. The Doctoral Candidates will be trained in advanced polymer synthesis, formulation, rheology and performance testing, working with leading academic groups and with industrial partners.

DC3: Poly(2-oxazoline)-based copolymers for high-performance EV lubricants. The DC will develop a versatile synthetic strategy to a library of oil-soluble poly(2-oxazoline) copolymers, including copolymers with tunable thermoresponsive behaviour through composition and topology, and will integrate them in lubricant formulations as viscosity modifiers, relating polymer structure to performance. Co-supervision: Prof. Dimitris Vlassopoulos (FORTH, Greece) and Dr. Coralie Jehanno (Polykey, Spain). Secondments (3 months each): FORTH, Greece (rheology of polymers of different topology) and Polykey, Spain (kilogram-scale synthesis of the best-performing copolymer).

DC11: Designed polymeric binders for EV batteries. The DC will develop block copolymers comprising a poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) block, in different topologies, that dissolve in non-toxic solvents, and will test them in cathode formulations and coin cells to establish relationships between polymer structure, electrode microstructure and battery performance. Co-supervision: Dr. Jean Marshall (Warwick), Prof. Evelyne Van Ruymbeke (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium) and Prof. Peter Dowding (Infineum, UK). Secondments (3 months each): Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium (rheology, including high-shear measurements) and Infineum, UK (kilogram-scale polymerisation of the most promising binders).

Eligibility: at the time of recruitment, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the United Kingdom for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the appointment date. At the time of recruitment, the applicant must not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. The posts are open to applicants of any nationality, subject to the mobility rule above.

These Doctoral Candidate positions are offered in conjunction with PhD studentships at the University of Warwick, subject to the applicants satisfying the University's admissions requirements. The successful applicants will be required to enrol for a PhD degree under the supervision of Prof. Remzi Becer.

For candidates whose first language is not English, an IELTS (or equivalent) score of at least 6.5 is required. Applicants who do not hold a valid English certificate at the time of application must give a clear plan, with dates, for obtaining one.

We are looking for a polymer chemist with very good training in organic chemistry, who is interested in sustainable materials and who enjoys working across disciplines and sectors in a supportive, international team. You will be trained by an internationally recognised team of academic and industrial experts. Applicants with different backgrounds and career paths, including career breaks, are very welcome, and you do not need to meet every desirable criterion to apply.

Benefits include an attractive pension scheme, a generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. A generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy and onsite childcare facilities are provided. Flexible working options are available. The University is a Living Wage employer.