PhD Positions Available at RWTH Aachen University

Description : The NMR research group of Prof. B. Blümich from the Institut of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry from RWTH Aachen University offers two PhD positions for 30 months (payment and conditions in agreement with the German rules (TV-L)) for the following project, starting 1th of April 2009 or latter. This project will be done in collaboration with DKI Darmstadt and SKZ Würzburg. Characterisation of Aging of PE Pipes In the last decades, polyethylene (PE) became one of the leading polymeric materials for gas and water pipelines due to its many advantageous properties such as low weight and good corrosion resistance. The present standard is PE100, which identifies pipes made from such materials to withstand a stress of 10 MPa for 50 years at room temperature. However, in praxis the predicted lifetime of the material is getting significantly shorter due to the action of mechanical, thermal, and chemical loads. The aim of the project is to obtain a correlation between the NMR relaxation parameters of the various phases in PE obtained using the NMR-MOUSE and the thermal and mechanical parameters with the final goal of understanding the morphological changes due to the above mentioned effects. In order to validate the NMR methodology, the morphological parameters obtained by NMR will be correlated with those obtained by other analytical methods such as DSC, FTIR-Mikroskopie und Röntgen. Moreover, we aim to obtain a calibration curve which will allow a correlation of the measured NMR parameters with the aging state of the pipes. The ideal candidate should • hold a Master of Science degree in chemical or physical engineering, physics, chemistry or equivalent at the time when the project starts. • good knowledge of English, both in oral and written communication. • be a team player that can work autonomously, pro-actively and be able to meet deadlines. • be willing to spend part of her/his time in other locations for research activities necessary for the project, participation in workshops and conferences. Additional advantages are a good knowledge of NMR as well as the willingness to learn German in order to facilitate communication in daily life and at work. Applications Applications with motivation letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae, copies of the various degrees obtained and lists of the study results (with English or German translation) should be sent by e-mail. Address for sending applications / further information: Dr. Alina Adams ITMC, RWTH Aachen University Institut of Macromolecular Chemistry Worringer Weg 1 52074 Aachen Germany e-mail: [email protected] Candidates may be invited to a interview.

Contact address : Dr. Alina Adams ITMC, RWTH Aachen University Institut of Macromolecular Chemistry Worringer Weg 1 52074 Aachen Germany
Name : Alina Adams
Email : [email protected]