Vacancies

We currently have the following vacancy:

Postdoctoral Researcher - Catalytic Approaches toward Bio-Based Peptide Surfactants (1.0 FTE)

In the Feringa lab, sustainable molecular design and green chemical processes are two of the central research themes. We are particularly interested in developing next-generation bio-based materials that align with industrial and environmental goals. As part of this effort, the current project supported by NWO (within the BigChemistry consortium) is devoted to the creation of fully renewable peptide-based surfactants.

The postdoc will focus on the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel peptide surfactants derived from amino acids and fatty alcohols/acids using hydrogen-borrowing catalysis as a waste-free, green methodology. This includes exploring catalytic space through ligand and catalyst screening for efficient C–N bond formation. In parallel, the postdoc will engage with AI- and robotics-driven workflows to optimize both catalytic performance and surfactant properties within complex multiparameter systems (e.g., surface tension, foamability, formulation behavior, biodegradability).

The postdoc will work closely with an interdisciplinary team, including industrial partner and collaborators involved in AI/robotics development, to deliver a family of new bio-based peptide surfactants and establish a sustainable, scalable synthesis platform.

More details can be found here, as well as the application link.
The closing date for application is 12 January 2026