Research Assistant on Biodegradable Tubeless Sealant

Research Assistant on Biodegradable Tubeless Sealant

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Department of Materials at ETH Zurich is looking for a research assistant to work for 48 months on an Innosuisse-funded project aimed at developing a new formulation for a fully biodegradable tubeless tire sealant for the biking industry.

Project background

Tubeless tires for bicycles have to be as lightweight and thin/flexible as possible and they are therefore manufactured not perfectly airtight and a small amount of sealant is filled into the tires at the installation. The sealant fluid is filled into the tire to seal it and also to seal the seat between the tire and the rim. Equally importantly, the sealant also has the function to seal punctures during riding, enabling the cyclist to continue riding without a large loss of pressure in the tire, ideally not even noticing that a puncture has occurred. The fluid offers puncture protection against sharps piercing the tire (e.g. glass or thorns) or when impacts on the rim damage the tire. Several successful products exist on the market, but not all the ingredients used for sealant manufacturing are sustainable and biodegradable.

After initial tests, we are now looking for a highly motivated research assistant to develop the formulation further into a potential product. This project involves the Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces at ETH Zurich, who has extensive experience in the engineering of complex fluids, and three industrial and partners, Sports Components AG, Collano and Veloplus.

Job description

• the selection and testing of appropriate materials and ingredients (both fluids and solid particles)
• the characterization of the mechanical properties of the sealant (e.g. rheology)
• the evaluation of all product characteristics with the final application in mind (sealing performance, compatibility, pricing, etc.)
• lab and field testing of the formulation
• close cooperation between the research group and the industrial partners, primarily Sports Components AG

Profile

• BSc or MS degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines
• Strong creativity, curiosity and propensity for solution-oriented and problem-solving skills
• Ability and interest in working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Interest in taking ideas from the lab to a product
• Experience with complex fluids (suspensions, gels, etc.), their characterization and formulation is an asset

Workplace

Workplace

We offer

• An exciting applied research project with clear connections to sustainable industrial developments
• Access to state of the art facilities and instrumentation at ETH Zurich
• Training opportunities in all aspects of the project
• An international, diverse and multidisciplinary team with an open culture of innovation and collaboration

The contract is limited to 48 months due to the Innosuisse project duration. Salary will be discussed based on experience level but will be set according to the standard salary system of ETH Zurich. The expected start date will be August 1st 2024. Applications close on July 7th 2024.

We value diversity

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV
• Letter of motivation/interest for the position, highlighting any previous experience that can be useful for the project

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about the Department of Materials and our Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof Lucio Isa via email E-Mail schreiben (no applications).

About ETH Zürich

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV
• Letter of motivation/interest for the position, highlighting any previous experience that can be useful for the project

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about the Department of Materials and our Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof Lucio Isa via email E-Mail schreiben (no applications).