Jens Oelerich new professor in Sustainable & Functional Textiles
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Jens Oelerich will join Saxion University of Applied Sciences as Professor in Sustainable & Functional Textiles, starting from June 1st, 2024. He will succeed Dr. Jan Mahy, who will step down as Professor in the summer of 2024.
The Sustainable & Functional Textiles (SFT) research group, with 15 researchers, is one of the largest at Saxion and a leading entity in technical and applied textile research in the Netherlands. Currently serving as Associate Professor in the Sustainable Textiles research line within SFT, Jens brings extensive expertise to his new role. He is also involved in the Innovative Textile Development master's program and the Fashion & Textile Technologies bachelor's program.
Jens' driving force lies in connecting the principles of chemistry, materials science, and environmental sciences to make textiles smarter and more sustainable. He studied chemistry at Saxion and the University of Groningen before earning his Ph.D. in bio-inspired chemistry in water in 2015. At Saxion, Jens has contributed to the development of textile recycling technologies and analysis methods. Recently, he has coordinated the sustainable textile research line and co-founded the Circular Textile Lab with his colleagues.
Regarding his new position, Jens says:
"Textiles play a crucial role in everyone's life. We use textiles not only for clothing but also for building roads, making our homes livable, and even for artificial heart valves. This versatility makes this field particularly fascinating and challenging. However, the significant impact of textiles on our daily lives also presents significant challenges. In the future, clothing should primarily be produced from circular and bio-based raw materials, but textiles can also serve as a platform for creating smart and functional materials. At SFT, we are exceptionally well-equipped to contribute significantly to this, thanks to our passionate colleagues, extensive facilities, strong collaboration with the F&TT, ITD, and chemistry programs, and rich history and experience. I am very pleased and honored to become a professor in this unique research group and look forward to connecting education, research, and industry to make a lasting contribution to the future of the textile industry in the Netherlands."