PostDoc in Sustainable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Chemistry

About the FSTM

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) at the University of Luxembourg contributes multidisciplinary expertise in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences and Medicine.

Through its dual mission of teaching and research, the FSTM seeks to generate and disseminate knowledge and train new generations of responsible citizens in order to better understand, explain and advance society and environment we live in.

Your role

The post-doctoral researcher will be preparing liquid crystalline suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals, modifying these chemically for using click chemistry to connect with flexible polymers and crosslinking, thereby generating cellulose nanoparticle-based liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). You will also be exploring novel cellulose and chitin-based LCE precursors and LCEs that are reprogrammable thanks to bond exchange crosslinks prepared by our international collaborators. You will be studying all new materials with respect to liquid crystalline ordering and responses to varying stimuli, working in close collaboration with a Ph.D. candidate whom you will be co-supervising and another postdoc with expertise in experimental set-up design and construction as well as fluid dynamics, as well as with other post-docs and senior researchers in Luxembourg and from our international network of collaborators. You will be spending time also in Cambridge and Lisbon.

For further information please see the website of the ESMP group, www.lcsoftmatter.com , or contact Prof. Jan Lagerwall,

Your profile

The ERC Synergy project ALCEMIST ( lcsoftmatter.com / alcemist ) challenges the conventional engineering mindset of using motors to drive passive structural components by developing innovative materials that combine the structural features and mobility in a single component. These are liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), unique responsive materials that reversibly change shape, colour, adhesive or damping properties, in response to stimuli like heat, light, humidity or strain. We follow a radically new approach to make powerful yet low-cost, biocompatible and biodegradable LCEs using polysaccharides as raw materials. Thanks to bond-exchange chemistry our LCEs will be re-processable and re-usable. To dramatically scale up LCEs in size as well as in number, we are developing a ground-breaking new processing approach based on flow patterning to make meter scale LCEs of complex shapes and actuation modes. ALCEMIST builds on a tight synergistic collaboration between the Experimental Soft Matter Physics group at University of Luxembourg, led by Prof. Jan Lagerwall (project coordinator), the Soft and Biofunctional Materials group at NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal, led by Prof. Maria Helena Godinho, and the Biological and Soft Systems group of Prof. Eugene Terentjev at University of Cambridge, UK. In addition to carrying out fundamental soft matter physics and chemistry innovation, we will demonstrate unconventional applications of LCEs, ranging from adhesives that can be reversibly debonded on demand and sun-powered adaptive building elements that save energy and improve indoor atmosphere, to microhearts and peristaltic vasculature that can remove the growth limits of lab-grown organs, or smart threads that give doctors critical feedback on suture tension when conducting robotic surgery.

The post-doctoral researcher should have experience in polymer and / or nanoparticle synthesis and modification, preferably involving click chemistry and / or polysaccharides. Experience with liquid crystals and colloids is a very strong plus, as is experience with dynamic bond exchange chemistry. An ideal background is a Ph.D. in organic or polymer chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science, with interest and adequate understanding of soft matter physics. We also expect good supervision and teaching skills. Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.

We offer

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the "University of the Greater Region" (UniGR)
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

How to apply

Applications should include :

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. To ensure full consideration, candidates should apply by 30

of July 2025 ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information :

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 85176 (full time).