Doctoral Candidate (DC9) – Optimization of eucalyptus fibres for new ENDURE products

ENDURE is looking for a doctoral student for the project “Optimization of eucalyptus fibres for new ENDURE products”.

To succeed on the ambitious objectives of the European Growth Model, the European moulded fibre products (MFP) industry must have access to a new generation of innovative, entrepreneurial, and highly skilled research-oriented cross-disciplinary engineers with direct research experience in: (i) natural fibre material (NFM) engineering; (ii) product design and production engineering of MFPs; (iii) digital manufacturing technologies and Industry4.0 for MFP industry - the ENDURE Doctoral Network comprising 12 Doctoral Candidates is designed to train this next generation of scientists and engineers.

ENDURE is a new Marie Skłodowska Curie (MSCA) Doctoral Network Programme funded by the European Commission, that brings together 5 universities, 2 RTOs and 8 industry partners for four countries.

This Doctoral Candidate will be hosted by Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón ITA, a beneficiary organisation in the ENDURE network, and will be supported by the associated partner ENCE. ENDURE delivers a unique employability and skills development process for DCs ensuring that they can lead the scientific and technological developments in the European MFP industry. The successful candidate will enrol in the doctoral program at UNIZAR and will be based primarily at ITA in Zaragoza, with research stays at partner institutions across Europe.

The research aims to apply the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) methodology to the entire moulded fibre product (MFP) process, including recycling options. It will involve optimizing industrial processes such as ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free), TCF (Totally Chlorine Free), refining, additives,



and drying to enhance the properties of new fibre-based materials derived from virgin eucalyptus kraft fibres and recycled sources like secondary fibres and wheat straw waste. The candidate will also analyze and apply commercial coatings with lower environmental impact and industrial potential, and contribute to producing a new 3D moulded fibre product with improved performance in a pilot plant.

It is expected that the PhD project will lead to improvements in the mechanical and barrier properties of the new MFPs. Furthermore, by applying the SSbD methodology, the project aims to develop formulations that incorporate recycled materials, thereby reducing environmental impact. Laboratory experiments are planned to be complemented by pilot plant trials, which will serve as a preliminary phase for industrial implementation.

The candidate will gain experience in both fundamental research and industrial applications.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pulp and Paper Science, or a related field, and demonstrate a strong interest in sustainable industrial processes and fibre-based materials. Additional advantageous qualifications are:

- Experience in pulp and paper technology and science.
- Knowledge about papermaking chemistry.
- Background in mechanics of materials, sustainability and techno economical assessments.
- Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and potential for laboratory work.




- Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken (minimum B2 level) is required.

To succeed as a doctoral student at ITA you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

- independently pursue his or her work
- collaborate with others (team working)
- effectively communicate technical concepts and results
- have a professional and scientific approach and analyse and work with complex issues.

Special Requirements: Mobility and experience

At the time of recruitment, the early-stage researcher must comply with the MSCA mobility rule, which stipulates that candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment under the project (scheduled for June 2026).

Eligible candidates must be, at the time of the recruitment, in the first 4 years of their research career and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

We Offer

This position offers a 36-month contract under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks program, with a competitive salary that includes mobility and, where applicable, family allowances. The candidate will benefit from high-level doctoral training at UNIZAR and participate in international networking and training activities with leading academic and industrial partners.

- The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
- A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to ITA Doctoral student salary agreement.
- Possibilities to contribute to highly industrially relevant research.
- Opportunities to develop advanced computational and experimental skills.

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📌 Doctoral Candidate– Optimization of eucalyptus fibres for new ENDURE products (Zaragoza)
🏢 Ita · Instituto Tecnológico De Aragón
📍 Zaragoza