PhD student position on advanced granulated ceramic powder feedstocks 100%
Empa, Materials Science and Technology
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"As Switzerland's incubator for innovation, Empa's research provides answers to the most pressing challenges facing
industry." Prof. Dr. Katharina Maniura, Biointerfaces "Empa's research on the highest international level plays a
leading role in the advancement of technology." Prof. Dr. Ayodhya Nath Tiwari, Thin Films and Photovoltaics "Empa's
materials science and technology research is of great benefit to society in the fields of energy, mobility,
environment, construction and health." Prof. Dr. Bernd Nowack, Technology and Society "For my research projects I use
first-class equipment. This is extremely important in dynamic 3D radiography." Dr. Ameet Aiyangar, Mechanical Systems
Engineering "Empa offers good employment conditions and supports equal opportunities. I consider this very important."
Irene Ferretto, Advanced Materials Processing "Empa has sites in three attractive regions in Switzerland. This also
ensures a good quality of life." Dr. Shanyu Zhao, Building Energy Materials and Components "We enjoy working in a team.
For us it is important that Empa pursues topics like sustainability and innovation." Michael Levy and Nikola Tatalovic,
Finances/Controlling "My work is exciting and highly diverse - and I am right there when research projects are being
implemented in NEST, Empa's research and innovation building." Yannic Trüb, Real Estate Management "At Empa I value the
good work environment and international collaboration." Subas Scheibler, Particles-Biology Interactions
PhD student position on advanced granulated ceramic powder feedstocks
Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100
employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research
institution of the ETH Domain.Empa's Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics is involved in the scientific research,
development and characterization of advanced ceramics, composites and inorganic powder-based materials for structural
and functional applications.
You will study and characterize the powder and formulation dependent granulation process to develop advanced ceramic
powder feedstocks for the dry pressing of precision ceramic parts. The aim is to corroborate the interplay between the
process-chemistry-powder parameters towards high-performance feedstock developments overcoming specific and recurrent
issues in shaping operations of our industrial project partner. At the interplay between fundamental and applied
research, the goal of the PhD project is to understand the how the organic additives chemistry and mixture plays in the
process variability and sensitivity and investigate the underlying mechanisms towards a lean and sustainable
manufacturing of precision ceramic parts. The project results will be directly evaluated in industrial settings,
establishing a feedback loop between lab scale observations and statistical relevance in production environments.
Your responsibilities
- Formulate slurries suitable for spray granulations
- Study the effects of the organic additives, their chemistry and mixture on the granulation process parameters and
granule performance for the shaping of ceramic precision parts
- Study the role of the powder type, its size and morphology on the chemistry-process parameter map
- Publish scientific findings in peer-reviewed high-impact journals and present them at international conferences
Your profile
- MSc in Materials science, Chemical engineering or related disciplines
- Solid background and interest in organic chemistry
- Strong analytical skills for materials and data analysis
- Creative scientific mindset
- Full proficiency in written and oral English, French is an asset
- Self-motivated, critical-thinking, open-minded and communicative, with a strong interest to work in an international
and interdisciplinary research environment
- Fulfilling admission requirements of the EDMX doctoral school at EPFL
Our offer
We offer an Innosuisse funded PhD position at Empa, located near Zurich, to conduct cutting-edge research on ceramic
shaping process related topics for the direct benefit of industry and the wellbeing of society. Applications are open
immediately and the starting date is April 2025 or upon mutual agreement. The PhD candidate will be co-supervised by
Dr. Andrea Testino from PSI.We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in
innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete
online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference
persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be
considered.CristinaMarinoni, Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner
Questions?
Dr.MichaelStuer
Group Leader
Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics
https://www.empa.ch/web/s201/
Your future place of work
Empa
Ueberlandstrasse 129
8600Dübendorf
Empa as an employer
Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working
environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of
life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc.
Good to know
Empa website
Working in Switzerland
Employment process
Conditions of employment
Apply now
industry." Prof. Dr. Katharina Maniura, Biointerfaces "Empa's research on the highest international level plays a
leading role in the advancement of technology." Prof. Dr. Ayodhya Nath Tiwari, Thin Films and Photovoltaics "Empa's
materials science and technology research is of great benefit to society in the fields of energy, mobility,
environment, construction and health." Prof. Dr. Bernd Nowack, Technology and Society "For my research projects I use
first-class equipment. This is extremely important in dynamic 3D radiography." Dr. Ameet Aiyangar, Mechanical Systems
Engineering "Empa offers good employment conditions and supports equal opportunities. I consider this very important."
Irene Ferretto, Advanced Materials Processing "Empa has sites in three attractive regions in Switzerland. This also
ensures a good quality of life." Dr. Shanyu Zhao, Building Energy Materials and Components "We enjoy working in a team.
For us it is important that Empa pursues topics like sustainability and innovation." Michael Levy and Nikola Tatalovic,
Finances/Controlling "My work is exciting and highly diverse - and I am right there when research projects are being
implemented in NEST, Empa's research and innovation building." Yannic Trüb, Real Estate Management "At Empa I value the
good work environment and international collaboration." Subas Scheibler, Particles-Biology Interactions
PhD student position on advanced granulated ceramic powder feedstocks
Share Apply now Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100
employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research
institution of the ETH Domain.Empa's Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics is involved in the scientific research,
development and characterization of advanced ceramics, composites and inorganic powder-based materials for structural
and functional applications.
You will study and characterize the powder and formulation dependent granulation process to develop advanced ceramic
powder feedstocks for the dry pressing of precision ceramic parts. The aim is to corroborate the interplay between the
process-chemistry-powder parameters towards high-performance feedstock developments overcoming specific and recurrent
issues in shaping operations of our industrial project partner. At the interplay between fundamental and applied
research, the goal of the PhD project is to understand the how the organic additives chemistry and mixture plays in the
process variability and sensitivity and investigate the underlying mechanisms towards a lean and sustainable
manufacturing of precision ceramic parts. The project results will be directly evaluated in industrial settings,
establishing a feedback loop between lab scale observations and statistical relevance in production environments.
Your responsibilities
- Formulate slurries suitable for spray granulations
- Study the effects of the organic additives, their chemistry and mixture on the granulation process parameters and
granule performance for the shaping of ceramic precision parts
- Study the role of the powder type, its size and morphology on the chemistry-process parameter map
- Publish scientific findings in peer-reviewed high-impact journals and present them at international conferences
Your profile
- MSc in Materials science, Chemical engineering or related disciplines
- Solid background and interest in organic chemistry
- Strong analytical skills for materials and data analysis
- Creative scientific mindset
- Full proficiency in written and oral English, French is an asset
- Self-motivated, critical-thinking, open-minded and communicative, with a strong interest to work in an international
and interdisciplinary research environment
- Fulfilling admission requirements of the EDMX doctoral school at EPFL
Our offer
We offer an Innosuisse funded PhD position at Empa, located near Zurich, to conduct cutting-edge research on ceramic
shaping process related topics for the direct benefit of industry and the wellbeing of society. Applications are open
immediately and the starting date is April 2025 or upon mutual agreement. The PhD candidate will be co-supervised by
Dr. Andrea Testino from PSI.We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in
innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts. We look forward to receiving your complete
online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference
persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be
considered.CristinaMarinoni, Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner
Questions?
Dr.MichaelStuer
Group Leader
Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics
https://www.empa.ch/web/s201/
Your future place of work
Empa
Ueberlandstrasse 129
8600Dübendorf
Empa as an employer
Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities Creating added value for society International, multicultural working
environment Freedom to create and develop Culture of inclusion and respect Excellent balance between different areas of
life Multiple award-winning and certified employer Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc.
Good to know
Empa website
Working in Switzerland
Employment process
Conditions of employment
Apply now