Assistant/Associate Professor for Innovative Intervention Techniques for Life Time Extension of Concrete Structures

Challenge: Finding ways to lengthen the lifetime of existing concrete infrastructures.

Change: Developing innovative intervention techniques for concrete structures.

Impact: Reducing CO2 emissions by maintaining existing concrete structures instead of building new ones.

Emissions remain a trending topic across all industries, and city and road infrastructure is no exception. Think of all the CO2 that could be saved if, instead of constantly building new bridges, roads and buildings, the lifetime of existing concrete infrastructure could be lengthened. This would also save time and money and reduce disruptions to transportation and housing, but safety remains a top priority. At TU Delft, we are researching new ways to demonstrate safety using testing and advanced modelling, while also finding novel intervention techniques to strengthen such structures.

As an Assistant Professor in Concrete Structures at TU Delft, you will develop innovative modelling and intervention techniques for the lifetime extension of existing concrete structures. You will also make an impact on your academic field by helping to move the focus away from education about new structures towards the maintenance of existing ones. In this role, you will delight in inspiring your students to find sustainable solutions for structural concrete mechanics challenges – now and in the future.

You will be part of a relatively young, international, gender-balanced team of scientists in the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG), which has an open, collaborative atmosphere. The faculty comprises 28 research groups in 7 departments committed to outstanding international research and education in the fields of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. CEG’s research is conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions and feeds into societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. The role offers plenty of opportunities for advancement within a growing field.

The research focus of the department Engineering Structures is placed on the investigation and development of resilient, smart and sustainable structures and infrastructures as well as on the structures for energy transition. Within these main themes research is carried out into the dynamics of structures, mechanics of materials related to e.g. climate change, modelling and design of railway systems, multi-scale modelling of pavement materials and structures, reuse of materials, structures and parts of structures, assessment methods for structures, smart monitoring techniques, design methods, replacement and renovation of civil infrastructure and development of new materials and maintenance techniques. The groups are using the unique Macro Mechanics Laboratory for full scale testing, monitoring and modelling of structures to facilitate implementation of innovations. The department delivers a large number of courses both at the BSc and MSc level.

A pioneering mindset makes you the ideal candidate to show your finesse in the fast-changing field of structural concrete mechanics with creativity and verve. You have a relatively broad focus and have already conducted additional relevant research after your doctoral thesis. You are equally excited about researching innovations in concrete intervention techniques as you are about implementing educational innovations to future-proof the field. Because you will be operating in an international environment, you speak and write English fluently, and are willing to learn Dutch. You can just as easily talk to all kinds of stakeholders – from architects to giants of industry – while still making time to pass your passion for the topic on to your students. You also have:

• A PhD in the field of concrete structures.
• A strong research background in numerical and mechanical modelling strategies to simulate nonlinear behaviour of concrete structures.
• The ability to demonstrate the successful implementation of numerical and mechanical modelling strategies.
• Experience in developing, coordinating and teaching academic courses on concrete structures at a bachelor’s or master’s level.
• Some work experience in international collaborative projects would be an advantage.

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

The salary for an Academic Career Track (Assistant Professor) position is min. €4.332,- to max. €6.737,- per month gross. For exceptionally strong and experienced candidates, an Associate Professor position can be considered.
For an Associate Professor position different terms of employment apply. Depending on background and experience, the salary can range from min. € 6.002,- to max. €8.025,- per month gross. We offer an initial temporary position with the prospect of a permanent contract. The duration of the temporary position is a maximum of 1 year. After a positive performance assessment, you will be employed in a permanent Associate Professor position.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport &; Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Clickhere to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

If you would like more information about this role, please contact please contact Max Hendriks, professor & section leader of concrete structures at [email protected] .

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 3 March 2024 via the application button and upload your:

• Motivation letter
• CV
• A personal research and teaching statement (max 3 pages)
• Contact information of two persons who can provide references
• Publication list
• Abstract of your MSc and PhD thesis
• Two selected publications.

The initial interviews will take place soon after the closing date of the vacancy.

Please note:

• If your MSc diploma and transcript are not in Dutch, English, French or German and you will be the selected candidate, the TU Delft will ask you to deliver a certified translation in case you will be appointed.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.