Postdoctoral Researcher: Simulation of Silica-Rubber Composites

Job Location: Solvay Research & Innovation center Lyon (France)

Starting date: Sept. / Oct. 2021

Type of contract: fixed-term, 1 year + possible extension by 1 year                                                          

Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 24,100 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay One Planet plan crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €10.2 billion in 2019. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels (SOLB) and Paris and in the United States, where its shares (SOLVAY) are traded through a Level I ADR program.

Silica is one of the main providers of precipitated silica for the tire industry recognised as the innovation leader on the market by major tire manufacturers.

Vacancy description

Green tires rely on an intimate mixing of rubber, amorphous silica and silane coupling agents to reduce rolling resistance and fuel consumption, leading to reduced CO2 emissions. In addition, better wet grip properties and mechanical resistance can be obtained. As a key partner of  the H2020 SUNSHINE consortium funded by the EU, Solvay is looking for a postdoctoral researcher who will simulate the structural and mechanical properties of such silica-rubber composites. First, starting from atomistic models of the silica-binder interface previously developed at Solvay, models of the silica-binder-rubber interface will be constructed and mechanical properties, such as the stress-strain behaviour at the interface will be investigated. In a second step, different routes to improve the interaction between silica, the coupling agent and rubber will be explored, such as the modification of the silica surface by dopants. 

Education and Experience

• Doctorate or post-doctorate (preferred) in computational chemistry, physics or materials science.
• Strong track record in developing and using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation methods, and knowledge of relevant software packages such as LAMMPS and Materials Studio.
• Experience with one or more additional simulation techniques, such as quantum chemistry, (reactive) force fields, and scripting languages such as python for the analysis of simulation data.
• Ideally prior experience with the simulation of polymers and / or composite materials in an industrial setting.

Application

Candidates are requested to submit a motivation letter, their CV, and 1-2 recommendation letters to [email protected] and [email protected].