2. PhD Position – Mechanochromic Paper: Self-Reporting Materials for Stress Detection

 

The Calvino Group has one open PhD position in the field of functional paper materials, mechanochemistry, and molecular stress sensing.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The Calvino Group develops materials in which function is encoded through controlled chemical reactivity. Our research focuses on translating molecular responsiveness into macroscopic material behavior, enabling materials that can sense, report, adapt, repair, or disassemble in response to external stimuli.

This PhD project aims to develop mechanochromic paper materials capable of reporting mechanical stress through a visible optical response. Such self-reporting papers would provide a powerful tool to visualize stress accumulation, detect damage before failure, and understand how forces propagate through complex paper structures.

While mechanochromic systems have been extensively studied in synthetic polymers, their implementation into paper remains largely unexplored. This project seeks to bridge this gap by integrating molecular stress sensors into paper fibers and translating molecular-scale events into optical signals that can reveal stress distribution within paper structures.

The research will progressively move from individual fibers and fiber-fiber junctions to complete paper sheets, ultimately establishing design principles for the development of self-reporting papers capable of detecting excessive mechanical stress before catastrophic failure.

 

 

REQUISITES FOR APPLICANTS:

The applicant must have a master’s degree in chemistry, polymer science, materials science, or a related discipline. The candidate should also demonstrate a willingness to pursue interdisciplinary research involving molecular design, fiber functionalization, paper materials, and the characterization of responsive materials. Research experience in organic and/or polymer synthesis and standard characterization techniques (NMR, IR, UV-Vis, and Fluorescence) is expected. Experience in materials characterization, microscopy, cellulose chemistry, paper science, or mechanical characterization will be considered an advantage but is not required.

Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral) as well as having a team-oriented and collaborative spirit are essential requirements.

Finally, the successful applicant is expected to enroll in a full-time PhD program.

 

This research program provides the successful applicant with the opportunity to join the Calvino Group at the University of Freiburg and develop a broad scientific skill set at the interface of chemistry, materials science, and paper engineering.

The project is part of the Collaborative Research Center Future Paper, coordinated by TU Darmstadt. While the research will be carried out in Freiburg, the successful applicant will benefit from regular scientific exchanges and collaborations with researchers across the consortium, providing access to complementary expertise in paper science, mechanics, imaging, and modeling.

Finally, the University of Freiburg offers competitive working conditions and access to state-of-the-art equipment for molecular synthesis, advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, mechanical characterization, and paper fabrication.

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Application deadline: July 15th, 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place shortly after the application deadline.

The position is expected to start on October 1st, 2026.

 

Please hand in:

• Letter of intent detailing why you are interested in this specific project and how your previous research qualifies you for the project (2 pages max)

• Curriculum Vitae with list of publications (if applicable)

• Certified copies of your university degree(s) with grades (BA and MA certificate / Diploma certificate and transcript)

• Short summary of your master’s thesis (up to 1,000 words)

• Work sample (chapter from recent thesis or journal article, up to 5,000 words)

• Two recommendation letters with contact details of the referees

Please send your documents in one PDF file only with the subject title:“ PhD Position MechanochromicPaper_YOURNAME”

 

 

E-mail address for applications:              calvinoresearchgroup@gmail.com

 

 

Applications with incomplete files will not be considered. Submitted documents will not be returned.

Due to the anticipated number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive a response within six weeks of the application deadline, please consider your application unsuccessful. Individual feedback on applications will not be provided.