processing
and characterization of pha co-polymer blends

Project:                              MasterInternship/Master thesis research on processing and characterization of PHA co-polymer blends
Starting date:                    June/July 2023
Duration:                           6 months
Financial support:          Cost allowance of €200 or 400 per month, subject to personal situation
Location:                           Wetsus – European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology (Leeuwarden, Netherlands)

Project description:

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters produced by microorganisms. The material properties of PHAs are of great interest due to the inherent biodegradability and excellent biocompatibility. Several different PHA monomers have been described in the literature and it has been found that the monomeric unit composition significantly influences the physicochemical properties of PHAs. The project will be focused on the preparation and characterization of PHA co-polymer blend as a function of co-monomer fraction.

The successful candidate will join the Biopolymer from water theme (www.wetsus.nl/biopolymers-from-water) research team, and collaborate, coordinate and contribute to activities for the group resource recovery developments. The selected candidate will have access to many amenities, such as state-of-the-art research infrastructure, stimulating multidisciplinary research and development environment and support from experienced technical and analytical team.

Requirements:

Background in material, polymer sciences or similar discipline.
Enrollment at a European university. For non-EU citizens enrollment at a Dutch university is required.
Practical laboratory and analytical research experience with common polymer characterization techniques, such as thermal and rheological.
Fluency in English (speaking, writing and communication skills)
Highly motivated, enthusiastic and independent thinker who also likes to work in a team

Your tasks:

Preparation of PHA co-polymer blends.
Characterization of PHA co-polymer blends va TGA, DSC and rheology.
Solvent based PHA extraction at laboratory and pilot scales.
Collaboration within a dynamic multidisciplinary and multinational research team

Contact details:

Please send your CV (max 2 pages) and motivation letter (max 1 page) to sanjay.pal@wetsus.nl. Do not hesitate to contact me in case you have any further questions or if you need more information.

processingand characterization of pha co-polymer blends

Application form: Processing and characterization of PHA co-polymer blends

processing
and characterization of pha co-polymer blends