This is what you do as Postdoctoral Researcher Sustainable Textiles – Textile Analytics

Within the Research Group’s Sustainable Textiles line you will work on the cross-border FiberFact project (https://deutschland-nederland.eu/en/projects/fiberfact/), a Dutch-German collaboration aimed at developing innovative analytical methods to enable transparency in circular textiles. The project focuses on identifying and quantifying recycled fibres in textiles and supporting their standardization and implementation in the textile industry.

As a postdoctoral researcher, your key focus is the development and validation of analytical methods to determine the presence and quantity of recycled cotton in textiles. You will build upon recent research outcomes from the group, including our newly published work (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-39268-y), and further develop this analytical toolbox. Your work will include, but is not limited to, degree of polymerization analysis using viscometry, SEC or spectroscopy, optical and electron microscopy and fibre length distribution measurements.

You will collaborate closely with the consortium partners, including universities of applied sciences and industrial partners. You will contribute domain knowledge and analytical input for the development of AI-based models by project partners, and actively work with these models to analyse your datasets and support the development of automated analysis workflows. Beyond cotton, you will contribute to the broader project by supporting partners in the development of methodologies for synthetic and regenerated fibres.

You will actively disseminate research results through scientific publications, presentations, and seminars, and contribute to project deliverables, milestones and reporting. Furthermore, you will supervise students who carry out subprojects derived from your own research.

This is where you will work

At Saxion, we explore future developments, look beyond boundaries and disciplines, and drive innovation. Together, we contribute to a smart, safe, and sustainable world. We ask ourselves what technological innovations can mean and contribute to people, society, and our planet. We teach our students to look at societal issues with a broad, investigative, scientific and ethical perspective and to come up with practical solutions.

School of Creative Technology
As a postdoctoral researcher at Saxion, you will work within the Sustainable & Functional Textiles research group. Here, we conduct applied research that impacts the entire textile and clothing value chain. The research group is closely connected with the bachelor's program in Fashion & Textile Technology and the master's program in Innovative Textile Development. As part of the School of Creative Technology, the research group combines creativity (such as designing functional clothing for medical applications) and technology (such as helping scale up circular textile processes) to create innovative solutions. This prepares our students for this dynamic field and encourages our knowledge community to use their innovative power for the benefit of our partners within and outside the region.

Saxion’s employment terms and conditions

Working at Saxion means working on inspiring, future-oriented education and research. You will fulfil an exciting position, working independently in a dynamic, socially relevant organisation that matters. The position provides you with plenty of opportunities to take initiative and develop.

We also offer the following:

• The following salary scale: scale 10: min € 3,826 / max € 5,699 (cao-hbo) working on a full-time basis.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• You will receive a temporary contract, with the possibility of extension.
• A generous leave policy. For example: if you work full-time and have opted for a 40-hour week you can take 428 hours of leave annually. This means you will have 53.5 holiday leave days, including statutory holiday days and public holidays.
• Personal development: follow an inspirational webinar, workshop or training course at our internal Saxion Academy, do a career check or explore the possibilities of taking a master’s degree or PhD programme or professional doctorate.
• The Saxion Hybrid Working Package
• A comprehensive retirement plan. See the cao-hbo for more information.
• 100% allowance for travel by public transport and tax benefits on the purchase of a bicycle.

Would you like to find out more about our terms of employment? Check out our webpage.

Job requirements

We seek a professional who fits the job profile below. Does this sound like you? Then this job is ideal for you!

• A PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant field, preferably analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry, materials science or related discipline.
• Experience in laboratory method development and analytical techniques. Experience in textile or biopolymer characterization using the mentioned methods is a plus.
• Expertise, or willingness to develop expertise, in data analysis using statistical methods and/or AI-driven approaches.
• Strong communication, planning and scientific writing skills, with experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.

How to apply

Feeling enthusiastic? Then apply directly for the position of using this application form.

If you have any questions about this position, Then please contact dr. Anke ten Berge (senior researcher sustainable textiles), at 0031 6-4145 8497.

Saxion strives to be a diverse and inclusive organisation. Feel free to apply.
VOG - may be part of the application process.

Application procedure

Save the dates:

• You can apply until 07-06-2026.
• The interview will take place on 18-06-2026.
• Finally, we will schedule the employment conditions discussion.

This vacancy is open both internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, internal candidates will be given priority over external candidates.

We prefer to fill our vacancies ourselves, so unsolicited approaches are not welcome.