PhD Position in Depolymerization of Textile Wastes for Upcycled Chemicals

This fully funded PhD position at the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics (KBFI) in Tallinn, Estonia, focuses on addressing the global challenge of textile and plastic waste. The successful candidate will collaborate with organometallic chemists, process chemists, and industry partners to design catalysts for depolymerization processes, enabling the conversion of polyester and other waste materials into reusable raw materials. The project combines academic research with industrial applications, offering access to advanced infrastructure, including NMR and glove box facilities. The candidate will also gain experience in upscaling chemical processes and interdisciplinary collaboration, while contributing to undergraduate teaching and workshops.

• Develop and test catalysts for depolymerization of polyester and textile waste materials.
• Conduct research in organometallic chemistry and advanced analytical techniques, including NMR spectroscopy.
• Support the upscaling of chemical processes and contribute to process optimization.
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to translate research into practical applications.
• Supervise undergraduate students (BSc and MSc) and participate in academic workshops as an assessor.
• Learn and apply industrial chemistry techniques and relevant analytical methods.
• Engage in interdisciplinary research and contribute to the development of sustainable chemical solutions.