Postdoc In Improving circularity of building materials

Position

(Post-doctoral) Researcher

Irène Curie Fellowship

No

Department(s)

Built Environment

Reference number

V38.7233

The building materials industry is a large consumer of primary raw materials, water and energy. On the other hand, there are many alternative raw materials that can substitute primary raw materials. An important source is construction and demolition waste. Utilizing these C&D streams saves resources and prevents landfill. This project aims to treat and valorize various C&D waste streams in new ingredients and/or new building materials. Examples are concrete, masonry, mineral wool, glass, plastics, and wood. All these streams need mechanical/physical/thermal/chemical treatments such as crushing, shredding, milling, washing, classification etc. These unit operations are accompanied by innovative characterization and modeling techniques. The  post-doc will focus on the recycling of concrete (part of the Horizon 2020 EU project “CIRCULess”, in collaboration with several industries and universities in Europe), and but will also be responsible for all other recycling activities (of the other building materials (other ongoing projects in group).

The Building Materials group group contains 25 PhDs, 2 postdocs, 2 assistant professors, 1 associate professor and 2 full professors. The BM group works on new, sustainable building materials containing or synthesized from secondary raw materials with good chemical, physical and aesthetic properties and added functionalities. Examples are natural fibers, fly ashes, nano-silica, aerogels, slags or recycled aggregates. Functionalities, including fire resistance, air purification, self-cleaning, high performance, hydrophobicity, are investigated and developed for these building materials. Moreover, durability and sustainability, such as the degradation of, or leaching from, building materials when exposed to aggressive service environments, is studied. The investigations are carried out based on experimental observations and modeling.

The research group possesses a well-equipped, state-of-the-art building material laboratory for physical/chemical/mechanical/environmental treatment, and testing, as well as a recycling lab with crushers, shredder, mills, sieves etc., and has access to the structural design laboratory at the same department, and shares facilities with the sister Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. The group has close contacts with the building material industry and frequently cooperating with other researchers, both domestic and international.

We are looking for excellent and highly motivated candidates with a PhD degree in engineering with an interest in both modeling and experimentation and strong experience with circularity.

You should be able to work independently, have strong communication skills, the attitude to participate successfully in an international and multidisciplinary team, and the ability to teach and supervise PhD students.

Any of the following could be considered an advantage and should be mentioned in the motivation letter:

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in engineering (e.g. mining, mechanical, civil, chemical…) focusing on the circularity of materials.
• Has already post-doctoral experience, as post-doc, staff member, or has other equivalent experience.
• Having several publications and scientific communications in this field.
• Previous experience with building materials and their processing/characterization.
• Experience with relevant chemical/physical/mechanical characterization techniques (XRD, XRF, SEM, FTIR, tensile, flexural etc…).
• Teaching experience.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• A team player who enjoys coaching PhD and Master's students and working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
• A proven ability to manage complex projects to completion on schedule.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.

Proofs of English level (such as certificates, coursework followed in English, manuscripts written in English etc.) should be mentioned. Candidates who do not the title of PhD/Doctor will not be considered for the current vacancy.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 1,5 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. €3,877 max. €5,090).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.
We are Eindhoven University of Technology (youtube.com)

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager Prof. Brouwers, h.j.h.brouwers[at]tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page .

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• A letter of recommendation from one or more of your references.
• List of five self-selected ‘best publications’.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.