PhD in Photonic Pigments from Cellulose Nanocrystals

Do you have a passion for nanomaterials, colloidal self-assembly, and sustainable functional materials? Are you excited about designing new photonic materials from renewable resources and understanding how nanoscale structures and modifications can control the formation of spherical photonic materials and their optical properties? This PhD position may be for you!

In this project, you will investigate how modified cellulose nanocrystals self-assemble into structurally colored materials under spherical confinement. The aim is to create robust and water-resistant photonic pigments based on renewable nanomaterials that can replace conventional synthetic dyes and pigments used in paints, coatings, and inks.

The project will focus on controlling the self-assembly behavior of cellulose nanocrystals and stabilizing their chiral nematic structures through photo-crosslinking chemistry. You will explore how chemical functionalization influences colloidal stability, liquid crystal formation, and the development of structural color. In addition, the project will investigate the incorporation of metallic nanoparticles to produce multifunctional hybrid photonic materials with enhanced optical and luminescent properties.

This interdisciplinary PhD project is jointly hosted by the chair groups Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (PCC) and the BioNanoTechnology (BNT) at Wageningen University & Research. The project combines expertise in soft matter physics, colloidal chemistry, modification of renewable nanomaterials, and photochemical synthetic reactions to develop a new class of sustainable photonic pigments.

Structural color arises from nanoscale organization rather than chemical dyes. In materials based on cellulose nanocrystals, self-assembly into chiral nematic structures selectively reflects visible light, producing vibrant colors without molecular pigments. However, these structures are typically fragile and sensitive to moisture, limiting their practical applications. In this project, you will develop strategies to stabilize these photonic structures through chemical modification and photo-crosslinking. Furthermore, you will study how spherical confinement — achieved through emulsion or microfluidic methods — influences the self-assembly process and enables the formation of photonic pigment particles that can be dispersed like conventional pigments. By combining structural color with luminescent nanoparticles, the project also aims to produce multifunctional pigments that are robust, sustainable, and suitable for applications such as coatings, security inks, sensors, and decorative materials.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Modify cellulose nanocrystals with photo-crosslinkable groups and study their effects on colloidal stability, liquid-crystal formation, and self-assembly into chiral nematic structures.
• Elucidate the formation of spherical photonic materials using emulsion-based methods and/or microfluidics, evaluating the effect of photo-crosslinking on the mechanical stability and moisture resistance of the materials.
• Synthesize metallic or luminescent nanoparticles to incorporate them in spherical cellulose materials to create multifunctional photonic pigments.
• Characterize the materials regarding their chemistry, nanostructure, and optical properties using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques;
• Collaborate with researchers from both chair groups to integrate knowledge from nanomaterials chemistry and soft matter physics; supervise BSc and MSc students and contribute to teaching activities in BNT and PCC courses.

You will work here

The research is embedded within the chair Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter https://www.wur.nl/en/chair-groups/biomolecular-sciences/physical-chemistry-and-soft-matter and BioNanoTechnology (https://www.wur.nl/en/chair-groups/biomolecular-sciences/bionanotechnology), and is part of the Biobased Solutions team (https://www.biosolutionsteam.com). You will be co-supervised by Joice Kaschuk (PCC) and Anton Bunschoten (BNT). 

You are a motivated and curious researcher with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of soft matter, nanomaterials, and physical chemistry. You are able to work both independently and collaboratively, are well organized, and are motivated to develop new experimental approaches. You communicate scientific results clearly and are eager to contribute to an international research team.

You also possess:

• A successfully completed or to be completed by 1st September 2026 MSc degree in Physical Chemistry, Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Molecular Life Sciences, or a closely related field.
• Experience or strong interest in colloidal systems, soft matter, nanomaterials, or self-assembly processes.
• Hands-on experience with experimental techniques for nanomaterials synthesis and characterization (e.g., microscopy, spectroscopy, or scattering) is an advantage.
• Strong time management, experimental and analytical skills, with the ability to design, interpret, and report experiments in English (written or spoken).

For this position, your command of the English language is expected to be at the C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in English. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 3,059.- per month rising to € 3,881.-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. 

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact Joice Kaschuk, Assistant Professor, Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, via email: joice.kaschuk@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Evelien Janssen, Corporate Recruiter, via email evelien.janssen@wur.nl.

You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website, which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents:

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae, including the names and contact information of two referees who can comment on your academic and/or professional qualifications.
• Motivation letter explaining why you are interested in this PhD position, how your background aligns with the project on cellulose-modified photonic spheres, and what you hope to achieve during the appointment. Please include at least one concrete example from your past academic or research experience that demonstrates your skills or motivation. Letters that only describe general interest without concrete examples may not be considered.

The maximum length of the application must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply up to and including Sunday, 31st May 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for Monday, 15th June 2026.

Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

https://forms.office.com/e/Pwz4RDDXsU

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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