Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher x2

Applications are invited for two 36-month positions as Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidates (DC1 and DC2) in the areas of synthetic organic chemistry, polymer chemistry and sustainable materials. The successful applicants will join the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DN) AGRIPOLYS, working under the supervision of Prof. Remzi Becer at the University of Warwick.

AGRIPOLYS is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement number 101311807. The network brings together fifteen doctoral projects on the molecular design of polymers for sustainable agriculture, with a focus on biodegradable seed coatings and agrochemical carriers that replace persistent plastic-based materials. The Doctoral Candidates will be trained in the design, synthesis and characterisation of these polymers, their formulation and application, and the evaluation of their biodegradation and environmental fate.

Eligibility: at the time of recruitment, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the United Kingdom for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the appointment date. At the time of recruitment, the applicant must not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. The posts are open to applicants of any nationality, subject to the mobility rule above.

For candidates whose first language is not English, an IELTS (or equivalent) score of at least 6.5 is required. Applicants who do not hold a valid English certificate at the time of application must give a clear plan, with dates, for obtaining one.

DC1: Synthesis of functional polymers for reducing dust-off on seed coatings. The DC will synthesise poly(2-oxazoline)s of different architecture and composition and relate polymer structure to film formation on seeds and to the reduction of friction and dust. Secondments will take place at ETH Zurich (tribology of seed coating polymers) and Bayer Crop Science (performance testing of seed coating formulations, including dust-off and flowability).

DC2: Synthesis of biodegradable poly(2-oxazoline)/polyphosphoester copolymers for agricultural applications. The DC will develop copolymers that combine biodegradability with the release of fertilising degradation products, and will determine their biodegradation and fragmentation profiles to identify microplastic-free compositions. Secondments will take place at the University of Twente (design of phospholane-based monomers) and Covestro (scale-up of poly(2-oxazoline)/polyphosphoester synthesis).

These Doctoral Candidates positions are offered in conjunction with PhD studentships at the University of Warwick, subject to the applicants satisfying the University's admissions requirements. The successful applicants will be required to enrol for a PhD degree under the supervision of Prof. Remzi Becer.

We are looking for a polymer chemist with very good training in organic chemistry, who is interested in sustainable materials and who enjoys working across disciplines and sectors in a supportive, international team. You will be trained by an internationally recognised team of academic and industrial experts. Applicants with different backgrounds and career paths, including career breaks, are very welcome, and you do not need to meet every desirable criterion to apply.

The Department of Chemistry at Warwick is a thriving and inclusive community of students, academics, researchers, and professional services staff. Our fundamental research pushes boundaries across all major fields of chemistry, while our applied work addresses major global challenges, breakthroughs in health, solar energy harvesting, and sustainable materials.

Benefits include an attractive pension scheme, a generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. A generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy and onsite childcare facilities are provided. Flexible working options are available. The University is a Living Wage employer.