PhDs in Sustainable printing, from processing to performance

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. The Department of Mechanical Engineering department conducts world-class research aligned with the technological interests of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, with a focus on the Brainport region. Our goal is to produce engineers who are both scientifically educated and application-driven by providing a balanced education and research program that combines fundamental and application aspects. We equip our graduates with practical and theoretical expertise, preparing them optimally for future challenges. Introduction Three PhD positions at TU/e in collaboration with Canon Production Printing, combining polymer science, rheology, and computational modeling to create the inks and coatings of tomorrow. Job Description Printing is evolving toward sustainability, precision, and performance. Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), in collaboration with Canon Production Printing, offers three PhD positions to advance eco-friendly latex-based and UV-curable inks. These positions combine experimental and computational approaches to create high-performance inks with reduced environmental impact. PhD Position one and two: Sustainable Ink Formulation and Performance Shape the Future of Eco-Conscious Printing These two PhD’s will experimentally design and study next-generation latex-based or UV-curable inks, exploring how polymer chemistry, rheology, and curing dynamics control mechanical performance and print quality. Your role:

• Formulate novel ink systems with tailored polymer architectures and additives.
• Investigate how rheology, drying, and curing affect adhesion, mechanics, and wear resistance.
• Characterize inks using advanced experimental techniques like synchrotron imaging (e.g. at the ESRF in Grenoble), DMA, nanoindentation, and single-asperity scratching.
• Correlate composition, process, and performance to establish structure-property-function relationships.
• Collaborate with Canon Production Printing to translate insights into industrial-grade, sustainable inks.

PhD Position three: Computational Modeling of Ink Performance Model the Mechanics of Tomorrow’s Inks This PhD focuses on developing multi-scale mechanical models to predict how printed inks behave under mechanical and environmental stress. Your role:

• Build multi-scale models and extend the Eindhoven Glass Polymer Model for latex-based and UV-curable inks.
• Implement FEM simulations linking chemistry, processing, and performance.
• Integrate experimental data from the experimental PhD’s for model validation.
• Collaborate with experimental PhDs and Canon Production Printing to enable data-driven ink optimization.

Why Join?

• Work in the multidisciplinary Processing and Performance of Materials group
• Work at the forefront of sustainable materials research in collaboration with industry leaders.
• Combine chemistry, mechanics, and computation in a multidisciplinary team.
• Access cutting-edge experimental and modeling facilities.
• Contribute to the development of eco-friendly, high-performance inks that impact global printing and packaging industries.

Job Requirements

• A Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, Computational Science, or a related field.
• Strong experimental background in mechanical characterization and structure analysis or a strong background in numerical modeling and/or computational physics/mechanics.
• Experience with and enthusiasm for experimentation and/or numerical simulation tools.
• A research-oriented mindset: critical thinking is your second nature.
• A team player who enjoys operating in a multidisciplinary team and is fully committed to reaching the project goals and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Lambèrt van Breemen, l.c.a.v.breemen@tue.nl. Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.me@tue.nl. Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video. Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page. Application We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled. Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Type of employment: temporary position | Contract type: full time | Number of positions: 1 | Full-time equivalent: 1.0 FTE | City: Eindhoven | County: Noord-Brabant | Country: Netherlands | Reference number: 2025/545 | Published: 2025-11-03 | Last application date: 2025-12-03