All our PhD and postdoctoral fellowships are available on VITO website: https://vito.be/en/jobs
Master/Bachelor Internships
Cleavable Thermosets Designed For Chemical Recycling
The growing use of polymeric materials demands new end-of-life strategies, especially for thermosets such as polyurethane foams, epoxy resins and crosslinked acrylic coatings. These materials offer outstanding performance but are extremely difficult to recycle because of their permanent covalent networks. Today, most thermosets still end up in landfills or undergo destructive treatment.
This internship focuses on the design and synthesis of thermosetting polymers that can be selectively broken down under mild chemical conditions. By integrating cleavable bonds into the network structure, these materials can be depolymerized into valuable fragments, enabling more circular use and improved sustainability.
The student will work on cleavable epoxy or polyurethane systems, evaluate their structure, and study their controlled deconstruction through mild solvolysis or hydrolysis routes.
Daily tasks and skills to be developed
- Synthesis of cleavable monomers and thermoset formulations
- Structural analysis via NMR and FT-IR
- Thermal characterization (DSC, TGA)
- Network evaluation (gel content, swelling, crosslink density)
- Chemical recycling tests under mild conditions and analysis of recovered fragments
The student will perform hands-on laboratory work, keep accurate records, and report results regularly. The project’s complexity will be adapted to the candidate’s progress.
Requirements:
You are enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related fields. You are motivated, proactive and comfortable with laboratory work. You are interested to acquire hands-on experience by running innovative experimental set-ups. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Richard Vendamme richard.vendamme [at] vito.be (richard[dot]vendamme[at]vito[dot]be) (Please include your CV, study program, preferred internship period, and a short motivation.)
DEVELOPMENT OF SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE POLYMER ADDITIVES DERIVED FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Commercial polymers invariably contain additives. Functional additives such as flame retardants, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, and plasticizers, are widely used in both thermoplastics and thermosets to enhance processability, durability, and end-use performance. At VITO, we aim to partially replace petroleum-based additives with renewable alternatives, with a particular focus on lignin. As the second most abundant natural polymer on Earth (after cellulose) and the only large-scale natural source of aromatic structures, lignin offers significant potential. However, despite its abundance, lignin remains underexploited and is still predominantly burned as a low-value fuel.
This project aims to synthesize new, safe, and sustainable polymer additives derived from renewable resources. Depending on the chosen biobased precursor, various chemical modification strategies will be designed and developed. The resulting bio-additives will then be incorporated into (bio)polymers through thermal extrusion to assess their performance.
The work will involve a range of analytical and characterization techniques, including FTIR, GPC, NMR, DSC, and TGA, as well as mechanical testing methods such as rheology, DMA, and tensile testing.
Requirements:
Hold a bachelor (or third or last year bachelor) in Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Organic Chemistry. You are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are interested to acquire hands-on experience by running innovative experimental set-ups. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Ir. Maarten Rubens: maarten.rubens [at] vito.be (maarten[dot]rubens[at]vito[dot]be) and Dr. Sandra Corderí Gándara, sandra.corderigandara [at] vito.be (sandra[dot]corderigandara[at]vito[dot]be)
In silico property prediction for safe and sustainable polymer additives
The demand for safe and sustainable additives is increasing rapidly. Traditionally, additives were selected primarily for their functional performance, with limited consideration for their potential impact on human health or the environment. Today, computational (in silico) property prediction plays a crucial role in the development of high-tech, sustainable, safe, green, and biobased additives. These approaches help accelerate research, reduce experimental costs, and provide deeper insights into structure–property relationships.
This internship focuses on developing machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) models for a range of additive families, such as flame retardants and crop-protection agents. Data will be collected from scientific literature and/or internal datasets. Through exploratory data analysis, the student will identify key molecular features and performance-determining properties. Based on these insights, predictive ML/AI models will be designed to estimate additive performance and guide the development of next-generation sustainable materials.
Learning outcomes:
The student will gain hands-on experience with:
- A variety of ML/AI techniques for chemical and materials applications
- Data analysis, feature engineering, and model validation methods
- A complete chemical informatics workflow: from raw data to property prediction
- Mining and curating scientific data from literature and databases
Requirements:
You are enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Data science (with interest in chemistry), or a related field. You are motivated, proactive and interested in safe and sustainable technologies. You have a programming experience in Python. Experience with git, MLFlow, iceberg tables, scikit-learn, PyTorch, Tensorflow and HPC environments are a plus. You are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Ir. Maarten Rubens: maarten.rubens [at] vito.be (maarten[dot]rubens[at]vito[dot]be) and Michiel Jacobs, michiel.jacobs [at] vito.be (michiel[dot]jacobs[at]vito[dot]be) (Please include your CV, study program, preferred internship period, and a short motivation.)
Economic feasibility and environmental impact of sustainable processes
Are you interested in new, sustainable processes and are you particularly curious about their economic feasibility and environmental impact? Then techno-economic analysis are for you. With new technologies there are often still many uncertainties and it is unclear which options are most promising. Is the investment cost the deciding factor, or should we mainly reduce energy consumption or increase productivity? Which research goals need to be achieved? Our team tries to formulate answers to these questions in close cooperation with technology developers and searches for promising value chains with the help of techno-economic analyses. In a techno-economic analysis, we simultaneously examine the processes from a technical and economic point of view. We do these analyses on the basis of desktop research and through intensive communication with process developers.
The aim of this project is that you perform a techno-economic analysis for a topic that is of interest to the SPOT team (e.g. plastic recycling, biomass valorization and polymer formulation).
Requirements:
You hold a BS degree, are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are interested in emerging technologies and evaluating the sustainability of them.
Contact person:
Dr. Miet Van Dael: miet.vandael [at] vito.be (miet[dot]vandael[at]vito[dot]be)
BIOPOLYMER DESIGN USING LIGNIN OR LIGNIN OILS
The synthesis of (semi)aromatic polymers derived from renewable resources is currently attracting tremendous interest from both academia and industry, as aromatic compounds are key intermediates in the manufacture of polymers and chemicals. Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer on earth (after cellulose), and represents the only large scale source of aromatic in Nature. Unfortunately, lignin is still poorly valorized today, and is mainly used as a low cost fuel. At Vito we have set ourselves the goal to change this situation: we aim to (partially) replace petroleum-based chemicals and polymers by using lignin derived chemicals.
This goal of this project is to synthesize new functional biopolymers derived from lignin fractions. Depending on the type of lignin, different chemical modifications and polymerization pathways will be envisaged and developed (such as polyurethanes, epoxy, polyester or polyacrylates), leading to (semi)aromatic polymers covering a wide range of industrial applications.
The project will rely on various analytical techniques such as FTIR, GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, as well as mechanical characterization techniques such as rheology, DMA or tensile testing.
Requirements:
You hold a BS in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering. You are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are interested to acquire hands-on experience by running innovative experimental set-ups. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Richard Vendamme richard.vendamme [at] vito.be (richard[dot]vendamme[at]vito[dot]be)
CHEMICAL DOWNSIZING OF LIGNIN
Lignin is the most abundant natural source of aromatics on earth. It is found in the structure of plants and trees. Currently, lignin is industrially produced as a by-product in the paper and pulp industry and in bioethanol plants but unfortunately is mostly burnt to get heat and power in the production sites it selves.
Due to the current trend to make materials more sustainable and turn the economy and production more circular the use of lignin is envisioned as a good alternative to fossil-based (aromatic) chemicals.
However, as lignin is a randomly organized heterogeneous and complex material its direct use for high-performance polymeric materials is not obvious. There are different ways to modify or change the structure of the lignin. Among those, lignin depolymerization is one of the most promising.
Lignin depolymerization makes the chains of lignin smaller, narrows down the polydispersity of the chains and renders monomeric, dimeric and oligomeric molecules with a more defined structure.
The more developed methods to perform the lignin depolymerization are; pyrolysis, acid-catalyzed depolymerization, base-catalyzed depolymerization, reductive catalytic depolymerization and hydrothermal liquefaction. At VITO we believe that reductive catalytic depolymerization is the best strategy to get suitable lignin-derived mixtures for material industry such as PU, epoxy or acrylates.
Tasks to develop during the internship:
- Perform depolymerization experiments in continuous or batch reactors.
- Sample collection and processing.
- Sample preparation for analysis.
- Catalyst bed preparation
- Interpretation of results
Requirements:
You hold a BS in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering. You are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are interested to acquire hands-on experience by running innovative experimental set-ups. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Ir. Elias Feghali: elias.feghali [at] vito.be
CHEMICAL RECYCLING OF ENERGY AND CONSTRUCTION THERMOSETS
The increasing use of thermoset polymers in energy and construction applications, such as epoxy composites, polyurethane foams, and cross-linked resins, has led to a rapidly growing waste stream for which no sustainable recycling routes currently exist. For example, due to their permanently cross-linked network, thermosets cannot be remelted or mechanically reprocessed, resulting in landfilling or downcycling as the dominant end-of-life options. Developing efficient chemical recycling technologies is therefore crucial to recover valuable building blocks and reduce environmental impact in these high-performance sectors.
In this context, this project aims to develop innovative catalytic depolymerization strategies for the chemical recycling of energy and construction thermosets. Target materials include epoxy resins, polyurethanes, and other cross-linked systems commonly used in wind turbine blades, insulation foams, and structural composites. The project will explore pathways capable of selectively breaking thermoset networks and recovering monomers or oligomers of high quality. In contrast to existing approaches that focus mainly on thermoplastics or require pure, well-defined streams, this project also emphasizes the treatment of realistic and heterogeneous thermoset waste.
Recovered materials and reaction progress will be characterized using techniques such as FTIR, GPC, GC, NMR, DSC, and TGA to gain insight into depolymerization mechanisms and assess the potential for a closed-loop recycling strategy.
Requirements:
You hold a BS (or last year BS) in Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry/Chemical Engineering. You have basic laboratory skills including lab safety, basic reporting skills (word, PowerPoint). You are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are interested to acquire hands-on experience by running innovative experimental set-ups. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Ir. Elias Feghali: elias.feghali [at] vito.be (elias[dot]feghali[at]vito[dot]be) and Dr. Ir. Carlos Marquez Admade: %20carlos.marquezadmade [at] vito.be (carlos[dot]marquezadmade[at]vito[dot]be)
BIOBASED LIGNIN-EPOXY-BASED MATERIALS FABRICATION, OPTIMIZATION AND FINAL PROPERTIES ANALYSIS
Utilizing biobased materials in the circular economy fosters sustainability by reducing reliance on finite resources and minimizing environmental impact. Embracing biobased materials not only mitigates waste generation but also promotes a shift towards a more ecologically balanced and resource-efficient society. The Sustainable Polymer Technologies (SPOT) team at VITO is dedicated to investigating new strategies for creating biobased polymers and composites. Knowledge in formulation, polymerization conditions, material production and characterization, provide us with a deep understanding of how to design biobased materials suitable for a large number of applications such as, coatings, adhesives, insulators, foams. In order to achieve biobased materials, we relie in molecules or oligomers derived from biomass, mainly lignin called “LignoStarters”, which have been functionalized with reactive functional groups like hydroxyl, acrylate or epoxide, among others. This student project centers on optimizing the fabrication of epoxy biobased materials by focusing in the initial components dispersion, modifying formulation parameters and modulating polymerization conditions. This will allow the participant to produce a collection of materials with diverse structure, thermal and mechanical properties that will be analysed and interpretated (NMR, FTIR, GPC, DSC, DMA and TGA). By the end of the project, it is expected that the student will be able to extract precise structure-properties relationship from the biobased material fabricated.
Requirements:
Hold a bachelor (or third or last year bachelor) in Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Organic Chemistry. You are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are interested to acquire hands-on experience by running innovative experimental set-ups. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Marc Comi Bonachi (marc.comibonachi [at] vito.be (marc[dot]comibonachi[at]vito[dot]be)) and Dr. Sandra Corderí Gándara (sandra.corderigandara [at] vito.be (sandra[dot]corderigandara[at]vito[dot]be))
PHYSICAL RECYCLING OF PLASTICS & COMPOSITES (DISSOLUTION , PURIFICATION)
The global production of plastics is continuously increasing, from 1.5 million tons in 1950 to 368 million tons in 2019, and with it the amount of plastic waste. Today, only 9% of plastics are recycled worldwide. The diversity of raw materials, use of heterogeneous polymers and additives complicates the recycling process, making it costly and affecting the quality of the end product. The physical recycling of plastics using solvents is a very promising method. The plastic is dissolved in a selective solvent, then reprecipitated out of the solution using another solvent. This method allows (1) the separation of additives and contaminants (2) the preservation of the polymeric structure and (3) selective dissolution of mixed polymers.
The aim of this project is to perform solvent-assisted plastic recycling tests. Pre-selection of solvents based on efficiency, toxicity, and cost. Process optimization (solvent, non solvent, solid to liquid ratio, temperature). Characterization of recovered materials (FTIR, GPC, DSC, TGA, viscosity, tensile) and comparison with virgin counterparts.
Requirements:
You hold a BS in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering. You are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are interested to acquire hands-on experience by running innovative experimental set-ups. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Sandra Corderí Gándara: sandra.corderigandara [at] vito.be (sandra[dot]corderigandara[at]vito[dot]be)
Design-from-Recycling: Turning Waste into New Materials
Polymer and fibre-based waste streams are produced in vast quantities, yet only a small fraction is currently recycled into high-value materials. Conventional mechanical recycling often requires pure waste inputs and results in downcycled products. At VITO, we are exploring a complementary approach: Design-from-Recycling, where new materials are created directly from existing waste, rather than starting from virgin monomers.
The internship will contribute to this broad research direction. Possible topics include:
- Transforming fibre-rich waste (textiles, paper, cardboard) into consolidated materials or panels using simple physical or chemical pre-treatments
- Reorganizing polymeric or composite waste into new structures through pressing, impregnation, blending or architectural modification
- Using recycled building blocks (e.g. monomers, polyols, oligomers obtained from chemical recycling) as feedstocks for new polymers or resins
Depending on your interests and the project timing, you may process waste materials, optimize experimental conditions, prepare prototype samples, and characterize their structure and properties.
Techniques and learning opportunities
- FTIR, DSC, TGA, density and moisture analysis
- Mechanical testing (bending, tensile, compression, extrusion), microscopy
- Basic rheology or DMA
- Sample preparation (shredding, mixing, impregnation, pressing)
The student will perform hands-on laboratory work, keep accurate records, and report results regularly. The project’s complexity will be adapted to the candidate’s progress.
Requirements:
You are enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science or related fields. You are proactive, motivated by sustainability and circular materials and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are interested to acquire hands-on experience by running innovative experimental set-ups. You have a result-driven character capable of translating theory to practice and vice versa and are able to find solutions. You are fluent in English and eager to write scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Richard Vendamme: richard.vendamme [at] vito.be (richard[dot]vendamme[at]vito[dot]be) (Please include your CV, study program, preferred internship period, and a short motivation)
ANALYSES OF WASTE STREAMS AND ASSESSMENT OF THEIR POTENTIAL FOR CHEMICAL RECYCLING
The global production of diverse plastics continues to rise, resulting in increasingly heterogeneous waste streams that pose major challenges for circular plastics technologies. Unlike single-polymer waste, real waste streams typically contain complex mixtures of polymers and additives. These impurities strongly hinder both mechanical and chemical recycling by causing catalyst deactivation, undesired side reactions, poor product purity, or even operational issues such as corrosion and fouling. Despite their importance, a detailed and comprehensive study on the full polymer composition and elemental impurity profiles of plastic waste streams remain very limited.
This project aims to generate a systematic and in-depth analysis of commonly generated plastic waste streams (e.g. collected from rivers or sorting facilities) and to assess their suitability and constraints for chemical recycling routes. The project will investigate a diverse set of representative products aiming at a deep understanding of the heterogeneity present in actual recycling input streams. To this end, a combination of advanced analytical techniques will be employed, including FTIR spectroscopy, TGA, ICP and DART-MS to determine both the polymer composition and the elemental impurities present in the stream. The collected data will be used to identify critical contamination patterns, evaluate the compatibility of various waste streams with catalytic depolymerization or solvent-based purification strategies, and map out the pretreatment steps required to achieve high-quality recycled outputs.
By analysing real-world waste composition and assessing its potential for recycling process, this project will provide essential insights for designing more efficient, cost-effective, and circular chemical recycling technologies for the plastic sector.
Requirements:
You hold a BS (or last year BS) in Chemistry/Polymer Chemistry/Chemical Engineering. You have basic laboratory skills including lab safety, basic reporting skills (word, PowerPoint). You are proactive, motivated and an excellent team player who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. You are fluent in English eager to write reports, scientific papers and/or patents.
Contact person:
Dr. Kathy Elst: %20kathy.elst [at] vito.be (kathy[dot]elst[at]vito[dot]be) and Dr. Ir. Carlos Marquez Admade: %20carlos.marquezadmade [at] vito.be (carlos[dot]marquezadmade[at]vito[dot]be)
