Postdoc Fellowship on Confocal Raman Study in Organic Matter on Solid-Electrolyte-Interfaces, University of Twente, Netherlands

The candidate will study the adsorption of organic molecules from oil and water mixtures to model heterogeneous surfaces mimicking real rock surfaces using confocal Raman microscopy in combination with a microfluidic device. The ultimate goal of this project is to emulate the oil recovery process in an artificial Rock-on-a-Chip device.

The task will be to develop a setup consisting of a combination of a confocal Raman microscope, an Atomic Force Microscope and a suitable microfluidic device that enables investigation of the (co-) adsorption of organic molecules such as fatty acids, amines, and small aromatic molecules to model mineral surfaces. The goal is to understand the binding mechanism, preferred binding sites, the adhesion strength of the organic molecules and their role for the efficiency of oil recovery emulated in a microfluidic environment. The project is part of a larger consortium of academic as well as industrial partners. It will be executed at the Physics of Complex Fluids group (Prof. Frieder Mugele) in close collaboration with the MCBP group (Dr. Cees Otto). 
Candidates are expected to have a degree in (Applied) Physics or a related field.

A background in imaging technology (AFM, Raman), optical spectroscopy and microfluidics is considered as an advantage. The position is available immediately. For additional information, please consult Prof. F. Mugele or Dr. C. Otto.

Location 
This position is based at the University of Twente, in the groups of Dr. Cees Otto and Prof. Frieder Mugele.
To read more about the PCF Group

Applications 
You can respond to this vacancy online via the form below. 

Your application contains: 

• motivation letter;
  
• CV;
  
• list of publications (if available).

Closing time 
31 March 2017.

FOM prefers candidates who have qualifying experience (e.g. as PhD student or postdoctoral researcher) in a scientific research institute abroad. You will be employed by the FOM Foundation for a maximum period of 31 months. Your salary will be up to a maximum of 4,089 euro gross per month, depending on your level of experience. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 percent and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33 percent. The conditions of employment of the FOM Foundation are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (Cao-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English). General information about working at FOM can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'FOM job interview code' applies to this position.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.

Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and 2000 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.