Ph3Offer Description /h3 pENDURE is looking for a doctoral student for the project “bOptimization of eucalyptus fibres for new ENDURE products /b”. /p pTo succeed on the ambitious objectives of the European Growth Model, the European moulded fibre products (MFP) industry must have access to a new generation of innovative, entrepreneurial, and highly skilled research-oriented cross-disciplinary engineers with direct research experience in: (i) natural fibre material (NFM) engineering; (ii) product design and production engineering of MFPs; (iii) digital manufacturing technologies and Industry4.0 for MFP industry – the ENDURE Doctoral Network comprising 12 Doctoral Candidates is designed to train this next generation of scientists and engineers. /p pENDURE is a new Marie Skłodowska‑Curie (MSCA) Doctoral Network Programme funded by the European Commission, that brings together 5 universities, 2 RTOs and 8 industry partners for four countries. Find more information at: /p pThis Doctoral Candidate will be hosted by Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón ITA, a beneficiary organisation in the ENDURE network, and will be supported by the associated partner ENCE. ENDURE delivers a unique employability and skills development process for DCs ensuring that they can lead the scientific and technological developments in the European MFP industry. The successful candidate will enrol in the doctoral program at UNIZAR and will be based primarily at ITA in Zaragoza, with research stays at partner institutions across Europe. /p pThe research aims to apply the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) methodology to the entire moulded fibre product (MFP) process, including recycling options. It will involve optimizing industrial processes such as ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free), TCF (Totally Chlorine Free), refining, additives, and drying to enhance the properties of new fibre-based materials derived from virgin eucalyptus kraft fibres and recycled sources like secondary fibres and wheat straw waste. The candidate will also analyse and apply commercial coatings with lower environmental impact and industrial potential, and contribute to producing a new 3D moulded fibre product with improved performance in a pilot plant. /p pIt is expected that the PhD project will lead to improvements in the mechanical and barrier properties of the new MFPs. Furthermore, by applying the SSbD methodology, the project aims to develop formulations that incorporate recycled materials, thereby reducing environmental impact. Laboratory experiments are planned to be complemented by pilot plant trials, which will serve as a preliminary phase for industrial implementation. /p pThe candidate will gain experience in both fundamental research and industrial applications. /p h3Qualifications /h3 pApplicants should hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pulp and Paper Science, or a related field, and demonstrate a strong interest in sustainable industrial processes and fibre-based materials. Additional advantageous qualifications are: /p ul liExperience in pulp and paper technology and science. /li liKnowledge about papermaking chemistry. /li liBackground in mechanics of materials, sustainability and techno economical assessments. /li liInterest in interdisciplinary collaboration and potential for laboratory work. /li liGood communication skills in English, both written and spoken (minimum B2 level) is required. /li /ul pTo succeed as a doctoral student at ITA you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to: /p ul liindependently pursue his or her work /li licollaborate with others (team working) /li lieffectively communicate technical concepts and results /li lihave a professional and scientific approach and /li lianalyse and work with complex issues. /li /ul h3Special requirements: Mobility and experience /h3 pAt the time of recruitment, the early-stage researcher must comply with the MSCA mobility rule, which stipulates that candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment under the project (scheduled for June 2026). /p pEligible candidates must be, at the time of the recruitment, in the first 4 years of their research career and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. /p h3We offer /h3 pThis position offers a 36-month contract under the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Doctoral Networks program, with a competitive salary that includes mobility and, where applicable, family allowances. The candidate will benefit from high-level doctoral training at UNIZAR and participate in international networking and training activities with leading academic and industrial partners. /p ul liThe possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world. /li liA workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to ITA Doctoral student salary agreement. /li liPossibilities to contribute to highly industrially relevant research. /li liOpportunities to develop advanced computational and experimental skills. /li /ul pApply for the position and admission through ITA recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement. /p pApplications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview. For further information, please contact Dr. Pablo González at ITA ( ). /p pApplications should include: /p ul liCV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge. /li liApplication letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long) /li liCopies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements. Translations into English or Spanish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified. /li liRepresentative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text. /li /ul pThis project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01, grant agreement No. - ENDURE. Project duration: –. /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr