We are looking for a PhD student to develop advanced thermodynamic methods for accurately 
calculating solubility and solution free energy, with a particular emphasis on electrolyte systems. 
The focus is on improving and expanding SCM's existing methodologies, including COSMO-RS, 
Pitzer-Debye-Hckel, and machine learning (ML)-based approaches. The primary goal is to 
develop robust methodologies and software tools that facilitate more accurate calculations for 
electrolyte systems.

The position is part of the European Commission-funded Doctoral Network PREDICTOR 
(https://www.rfb-predictor.eu), a collaboration between several universities and companies. 
Salary conditions, travel/mobility and research allowances, and benefits will follow (or exceed) the 
attractive EU amounts for Researchers in the HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01 call.

The position is open to theoretical chemistry/physics / chemical engineering MSc graduates with 
an interest in thermodynamic models.

PREDICTOR Network, supervision & training
The PREDICTOR network project contains a mix of 17 experimental and theoretical 
research-oriented PhD projects. The candidate will be hosted at SCM but enrolled in a 
PhD program at the RWTH Aachen University.

PhD supervisor: Prof. Kai Leonhard, RWTH Aachen University
Co-supervisor: Dr. Wei-Lin Chen, Software for Chemistry & Materials B.V.
Planned secondment for 3 months: Prof. Dr. Kai Leonhard, training on COSMO-RS model, 
RWTH Aachen University. Throughout the project there will be local and network-wide training, 
including academic and industrial specialist courses, transferable skills training, (international) 
workshops and training-through-research.

Requirements
* Knowledge of thermodynamic models, with a preference for candidates who have experience in 
COSMO-RS, COSMO-SAC and/or electrolyte modeling.
* Ability to comprehend the underlying physics of models presented in scientific literature, enhance 
these models, and efficiently translate them into source code.
* MSc in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related science field.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills in the English language.

What we offer

SCM offers an informal working atmosphere in a small team of approx. 30 PhD-level researchers 
and scientific software developers from various nationalities and backgrounds. We offer our 
employees 34 paid holidays per year and flexible working hours, as well as occasional remote 
work options. All employees are enrolled in the ABP pension fund.

The PhD fellowships will consist of an initial 3-year full-time position, with a possible extension. 
Salary conditions, travel/mobility allowances and benefits will follow the attractive EU amounts 
for Researchers in the HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01 call.

Gross monthly living allowance:  3.426,- which includes the 9.6% extra due to the country 
correction coefficient of 109.6% for The Netherlands for the entire period.
Additional monthly mobility allowance of  600,-.
Additional monthly family allowance of  660,- for researchers who have a family (regardless of 
whether the family will move with the researcher or not).
In addition, the EU provides funding for training and transfer of knowledge expenses to the 
institutes. Tax benefits (significant parts of salary and/or allowances paid tax-free) may be 
applicable in The Netherlands (depending on circumstances) for a successful candidate from 
abroad.

Eligibility
SCM is an equal opportunity employer; we encourage interested candidates to apply even if you 
think you dont tick all the boxes. SCM will recruit & hire without regard of nationality, age, 
religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. EU mobility rules apply: Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
The preferred start date is prior to 1 September and no later than 1 November 2025.
You should NOT be in possession of a PhD degree.

Exclusively via SCM's web form: https://www.scm.com/news/job-opening-marie-curie-phd-fellowship-cosmo-rs-thermodynamics-for-electrolytes/