Research Associate (f/m/d) - catalaix-Junior Principal Investigator in WSS Research Centre catalaix - polymer design, polymer synthesis and characterization using renewable or circular raw materials

Contact: Contact regarding the application Yasemin Kara Tel.: +49 241 80-26451 Email: info@catalaix.rwth-aachen.de Additional Contact Dr. Catalina Molano Tel.: +49 241 80-26450 Email: info@catalaix.rwth-aachen.de Please send your application by mail or email by 01/09/2025 to: RWTH Aachen University WSS Research Centre catalaix Yasemin Kara Worringerweg 2 52074 Aachen Email: application@catalaix.rwth-aachen.de Applicants are invited to submit their applications via email. For data protection reasons, however, we recommend sending applications via mail. About us RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket. 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Research Associate (f/m/d) – catalaix-Junior Principal Investigator in WSS Research Centre catalaix – polymer design, polymer synthesis and characterization using renewable or circular raw materials WSS Research Center catalaix Our Profile The WSS Research Centre catalaix aims to transform the chemical industry into a multidimensional circular economy with a focus on plastic materials. In an interdisciplinary approach with a focus on catalysis, methods are being developed to transform established linear value chains into circular recycling technologies. We aim to strengthen the catalaix team by creating a catalaix-Junior Principal Investigator (JPI) position in the field of polymer design, polymer synthesis and characterization using renewable or circular raw materials. Our goal is to support young researchers on their path to an academic career. To this end, we offer postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to establish their research group. The funding amounts to up to 1.5 million euros over a period of up to five years, with an evaluation after four years. The catalaix-JPI will be embedded in the chemistry department of RWTH Aachen University. Close collaboration within the catalaix team and especially with the catalaix groups of the Chemistry Department is expected. Laboratory and office facilities and access to relevant infrastructures will be made available. The envisioned catalaix-JPI is expected to greatly benefit from the comprehensive expertise of the catalaix consortium, their guidance while establishing themself as an independent young researcher with perspective on a future professorship. Your Profile The successful applicant has demonstrated excellence in research through a university degree (master\’s or equivalent) and a doctoral degree in a related field (e.g., chemistry, chemical engineering, polymer science, materials science, mechanical engineering with focus on material technology). A competitive track record of scientific publications is expected. Postdoctoral experience is desired, but not required. Willingness and ability to lead a group and cooperate in interdisciplinary teams is essential. Please submit the required documents according to the provided templates at www.catalaix.com/en/catalaix-JPI until 01.09.2025 to application@catalaix.rwth-aachen.de. The selection of funding recipients takes place on a competitive basis. In case of success, a start latest in Q1 2026 is expected. Your Duties and Responsibilities We are looking for an outstanding scientist who wishes to implement exciting ideas on sustainable technical polymer chemistry. Topics of interest are innovative and scalable polymer syntheses from renewable and recyclable building blocks in connection with the chemistry, catalysis, and theory of depolymerization. The WSS Research Centre catalaix aims at an integrated catalyst-process-product design of long-term recyclable monomers, polymers, and additives through modularization based on tailor-made chemical building blocks to combine required material properties with environmental compatibility and recyclability. The proposed research should lead to innovative circular plastics that will be developed in collaboration with the catalaix team. The possibility of technical implementation and broad application of the research should be a central research focus. We are excited to offer close cooperation in a collegial environment. The envisioned catalaix-JPI is expected to greatly benefit from the expertise of the catalaix team and their guidance while establishing themselves as an independent researcher. What We Offer The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract. The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of 4 years. There is an option to extend the position by 1 year. The fixed-term employment is possible, as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschafts zeitvertrags gesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts). This is a full-time position. The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L). The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 14 TV-L.Materialien und Werkstoffe Maschinenbau Chemieingenieurwesen Chemie Materialien und Werkstoffe Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter, wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin Lehre & Forschung, Wissenschaft Universität Vollzeit