Material Researcher

Material Researcher

Start: March

Duration: till end of the year

Languages: Dutch/English

Introduction:

MDT (1-4). Part of our Research & Development organization, the Materials Device Technology Development Center (MDTD) assures the development of competitive products by realizing the involved print (imaging) processes with the right print quality, reliability, time to market and cost structure. MDTD is also responsible for development and engineering of strategic consumables (eg ink) and modules, essential elements in our printing process. This includes design and realization of the process technology.

Project:

New inkjet inks to be developed and industrialized for fit in the print systems.

Position's main tasks:

Basic understanding of the failure modes that affect the functioning of our inks (and ink manufacturing processes) is a key requirement for continuous improvement of the products and processes that are developed by the project team. Typical examples of phenomena that currently need a better understanding are:

Color consistancy of the printed ink as a function of storage time and conditions. Aging mechanisms.
Filterability of the ink as function of chemical composition. Filter clogging mechanisms.
Ink-material interactions, destabilization mechanisms.

The materials researcher that we are looking for plays a leading role in the elucidation of the failure modes that are popping up during ink development by the project team. The ultimate aim of his/her work is to translate knowledge of the failure modes to 'design rules' for the ink developers in the team. To achieve this, the materials researcher performs or gives lead to (model) experiments with test inks in the ink development lab, in the production plant or on one of our print test stands. He/she works in very close conjunction with other members in the team (mainly ink chemists and physicists) as well as with employees from our well equipped 'analytical measurements' staff department.

Required area of education:

Academic grade in (preferably polymer or colloid) chemistry or materials science

Professional skills:

Experimental research, focus on understanding of molecular interactions.
Specific knowledge and experience with components, commonly used in (inkjet) inks (eg pigments, thickeners, organic solvents) would be very beneficial.

Behavioral skills:

Socially skilled to closely cooperate in a multidisciplinary team.
Other keywords: hands-on, experimental, self employed, analytical.

Field of experience:

Experience with formulation of mixtures (in eg painting industry of farmaceuticals) is advantageous, but not a prerequisite.

Years of needed working experience:

Both starters and experienced researchers are invited to apply. Michael Bailey International is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.