PhD position Wood Materials Science - DC11:Electrically conductive bio-based materials -within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions -Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) RE-Fibre
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PhD position Wood Materials Science - DC11:Electrically conductive bio-based materials -within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions –Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) RE-Fibre
100%, Zurich, fixed-term
This doctoral position is offered by the Wood Materials Science group at ETH Zurich within the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions-Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) RE-Fibre project.
Project background of the Re-Fibre Project
RE-Fibre is a Doctoral Network funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-DN) that aims to revolutionize Bio-fibre composite landscape by designing high-performance, fully renewable, and recyclable wood and plant fibre materials. RE-Fibre will train 11 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) with an entrepreneurial and sustainability-mindset in the disciplines of green/lignin chemistry, new biobased materials, and environmental systems science.
Project background
Job description
- Develop electrically conductive lignin-bio-fiber materials by utilizing functionalized lignin as a precursor for carbonaceous structures
- Produce optimized ink formulations for laser-induced graphitization processes using functionalized lignin oligomers
- Characterize the materials produced by state-of-the-art methodology
- Construction of proof-of-concept devices for energy storage and electrochemical sensing applications
This offer includes the following secondments:
- University of Graz (6 months): Lignin functionalization and development of samples for electrical conductivity
- Anton Paar (4 months): Analysis techniques for the characterization of electrically conductive surfaces
Profile
Required education level:
- Master's degree in Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science, Mechanical
- Processing Engineering, or Wood Science
Preferred background:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Mechanical and Processing Engineering
- Wood Science
Specific Requirements:
There are strict eligibility requirements for the DC positions in MSCA-Doctoral Networks (DNs). Please ensure to be qualified before applying, as ineligible candidates cannot be considered.
- Admission to the program is open to applicants who hold a 2nd Level Master Degree (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a bachelor degree) or a Single Cycle Degree (minimum 300 ECTS), or a comparable university degree (Second Cycle qualification), as required by the partner universities for admission to doctoral studies
- At the time of recruitment applicants must not have been awarded a doctorate
- At the time of recruitment applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before their recruitment date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account
- Applicant must be able to communicate fluently in English (at least B2-level speaking and writing)
The Supervisory Board will pay special attention to respect gender balance.
Language:
- English (Level should be excellent)
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
- Your job with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society
- You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits
Curious? So are we.
Applications must be submitted through the RE-Fibre website before 05.12.2025 at 17:00 Central European Time. To apply, search for the “DC11: Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zuerich (CH)” project on the RE-Fibre website and click “Apply now”. You will be asked to choose your most preferred PhD position. However, all the other positions are already filled, therefore just select the DC11.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents by uploading them as PDF files:
- Application form
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (Europass format – with added List of publications, participation in funded research projects, other qualifications, if any, must be included)
- Certified copy of Academic Degree/s in original language along with a certified translation into English, and/or Diploma Supplement (if applicable)
- Certified copies of official Academic Transcripts relating to all academic courses taken to earn every degree (bachelor/master or equivalent), translated into English, and corresponding grade point average
- Copy of passport (or, for EU citizens, equivalent ID document)
- Two recommendation letters
Recommendation letter template and Mobility Rule template can be downloaded on the confirmation page after submitting the application form and are included in the conformation mail.
Failure to submit any of the above documents or lack of any of the required reference letters implies exclusion from the recruitment procedure. Data of the applicants will be shared within the Consortium for recruitment purposes only. All data provided by the applicants are processed solely for the purpose of the RE-Fibre call for applicants. The application deadline may be extended if not enough applications are received. Information about a possible extension will be published on the project website and other communication channels.
Further information about the Wood Materials Science Group can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Yong Ding (yoding@ethz.ch) (no applications are accepted via this e-mail address).