PhD on the synthesis of polymers for additive manufacturing and drug delivery (ref. BAP-2025-674)

The highly interdisciplinary project will be executed in close collaboration in the department of materials engineering.
The PhD can thus benefit from the complementary expertise of the supervisor.
The current position exploits the capabilities and experimental facilities of Prof. Mignon (polymer science and additive manufacturing).
KU Leuven, established in 1425, ranks number 43 on the Times Higher Education list.
Moreover, according to the Reuters ranking, it is the seventh most innovative university worldwide (number one in Europe, after six American universities).

https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/en...

Project

The goal of the project is to develop new synthetic, biodegradable polymers which will eventually be processed into micro- and nano-fibrous structures, using various additive manufacturing techniques.

The potential of these polymers for drug delivery will also be explored.

The functionalization of these polymers is essential for both the additive manufacturing and drug delivery applications and is thus the main focus of this project.

The PhD student will write an FWO PhD proposal and have the opportunity to include their expertise/interest to define the application.

This has to be linked but not limited to:

• Develop new functional synthetic polymers
• Use electrospinning or other additive manufacturing to create a substrate of these newly developed polymers
• Optimize the polymers with the right hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity
• Develop them into stimuli-responsive polymers
• Development of nanoparticles for drug delivery
• Functionalization with active compounds

Profile

Our team is recruiting a highly motivated PhD, who has a strong interest in polymer chemistry and processing through additive manufacturing. We are looking for someone with the following requirements.

• You hold a master in chemical engineering, materials engineering, chemistry or equivalent.
• You are a team-player with a critical mind, work accurately and have a profound interest in polymer science and additive manufacturing.
• You have good interpersonal skills and motivation to work in a multidisciplinary research team
• You are able to work independently in a creative and critical way
• You have good communication skills to report results through articles and oral presentations at conferences
• You are very fluent in English, both spoken and written

Offer

We offer a full-time position for 1 year . Our young and dynamic team will support you to successfully work at a top-ranked university. You will participate in a larger international research group.You will have to submit an FWO PhD scholarship on the 1st of March 2026 (https://www.fwo.be/en/support-... or https://www.fwo.be/en/support-...).

info about a PhD at the KU Leuven: https://www.kuleuven.be/person...