Postdoc position in the field of printed photopolymers (photoresins) in Dübendorf

Within a collaborative project DiPrintProtect funded by the Strategic Focus Area (SFA) Advanced Manufacturing , we would like to push the limits of precision printing of protecting polymers coatings. The results of the project will find direct use within the watch manufacturing cycle by replacing the manual application step of protective coatings with a digital printing/coating process. We will pursue three main objectives that reflect industry needs: 

• develop a printable resin/varnish/film to ensure the desired protective function
• identify a digital printing technology with the requested spatial definition down to 10 µm
• ensure traceless removal of the protection, either by dissolution or preferably by peeling off/delamination

Aerosol jet printing (AJP) is chosen as the primary digital printing technique as it has already been proven on an industrial scale for printing metal conductor circuits and will now be tested for printing low- and high-viscosity resins. Inkjet printing, dispensing, and precision spraying will be used for coating larger areas where a lower precision is acceptable. The printed layers will be photo-cured using LED and DUV irradiation, whereas photonic methods of LED, DUV, and flash lamp irradiation will be tested as non-contact methods for rapid delamination of the protective coatings. The demonstrators on watch dials, case and bracelet links will be carried out in partnership with interested industries.

Your Profile:You have a PhD degree in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering or a similar field. Hands-on experience with high-precision printing, printed electronics, photocurable and photo-reversible resins, photoresists and polymers, and surface characterization methods is advantageous. The work requires a high level of experimental skills to operate state-of-the-art printing equipment and to design innovative experiments. You are a team player, and your strengths include taking personal responsibility and commitment to reach targets.

Our Offer: We offer a postdoc position shared between the Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics and Laboratory for Functional Polymers at Empa. You will be a member of a collaborative project involving Empa, ETHZ, and EPFL funded by the SFA-AM. The work will use facilities in the Coating Competence Center at Empa in Dübendorf, near Zurich. The initial contract is for one year and can be extended up to 4 years upon mutual agreement.