The University of Twente invites applications from enthusiastic and highly qualified researchers for a 4-year Postdoctoral position in the field of additive manufacturing and material science. This project, funded under the NWO-KIC grant “Materials for defense,” focuses on advancing resin formulation for 3D-printing novel polymer foams and lightweight composite materials for drone applications.
Position Overview
| Designation: | Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoc) |
| Research Area: | Polymer Chemistry, Resin Formulation, Additive Manufacturing, Materials Science |
| Faculty/Department: | Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) |
| Location: | Enschede, Netherlands |
| Employment Type: | Full-time (40 hours per week, up to 4 years) |
| Salary: | €4,422 to €5,760 gross per month (plus allowances & bonus) |
| Application Deadline: | 31 October 2026 |
Job Description
As part of the NWO-KIC grant “Materials for defense”, the project investigates fluidic and chemical pathways enabling next-generation porous, graded, and composite materials. The team works on Direct Bubble Writing, a novel and patented additive manufacturing process developed by the University of Twente.
Your primary responsibilities will include:
- Leading the resin formulation challenges (focusing on formulation rather than novel synthesis) for printing lightweight, stiff, and dampening foam structures.
- Designing photo-curable systems with customized fluid mechanics and soft-matter properties to optimize printing and minimize post-processing.
- Collaborating closely with two other team members handling print fluidics and composite integration/upscaling.
- Interacting with key consortium partners, including national research institutes (NLR, MARIN), the Dutch Ministry of Defense, and industrial leaders across chemistry and unmanned vehicle design.
- Testing and validating final printed components on unmanned airborne and seaborne drone systems.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered:
- Education: A PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong background in additive manufacturing, photo-curable resin systems, polymer formulation, microfluidics, or soft matter physics.
- Experimental Skills: Demonstrable experience in material characterization, chemical spectroscopy, and advanced optical or visualization techniques.
- Soft Skills: Strong analytical skills, solution-oriented mindset, team spirit, flexibility, and drive to deliver innovative results.
- Languages: High proficiency in English (both written and oral); proficiency in Dutch is an added advantage.
What the University Offers
- A full-time fixed-term appointment for up to 4 years in an internationally recognized academic research environment.
- A competitive gross monthly salary between €4,422 and €5,760 (in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, CAO-NU).
- An 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% year-end bonus, and comprehensive pension scheme.
- Generous leave entitlement (minimum of 232 hours base leave plus 96 extra leave hours annually based on full-time hours).
- Hybrid work flexibility, access to campus sports facilities, and professional development support.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application online through the University of Twente recruitment portal before the application deadline. Please prepare the following documents in PDF format:
- Cover Letter: A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages A4) detailing your research interests, qualifications, and fit for the role.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed CV including academic history, grade transcripts, publication record, and contact info for at least two professional references.
- English Proficiency: Valid proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL scores).
For scientific inquiries regarding the project scope, contact Prof. dr. ir. Claas Willem Visser at c.visser@utwente.nl.
Important Dates & Links
Last Date for Apply: 31 October 2026 (23:59 CET)
Anticipated Start Date: 1 January 2027 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
Apply Now at University of Twente
