PhD "Valorization of recycled construction and demolition waste by carbonation"

Department(s)

Built Environment

Reference number

V38.5162

The use of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in high-end applications is an important challenge to achieve circularity in the built environment. In this project smart crushing, separation of size fractions and carbonation as possible treatment method are investigated. We expect that in this way we can obtain clean aggregates on the one hand, and cementitious fines on the other.

The work will include lab work and modeling, and is financially supported by the Global Cement and Concrete Association. This PhD project is one of in total 5 PhDs, the others  located in Brazil, South-Africa and China.

The Building Materials group contains 25 PhDs, 2 postdocs, 3 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 modelling.

The research group possesses a well-equipped, state of the art building material laboratory for physical/chemical/mechanical/environmental testing 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 is frequently cooperating with other researchers, both domestic and international.

We are looking for excellent and highly motivated candidates with a MSc degree in (civil, mechanical, chemical, mining) engineering or related disciplines with an interest in both modeling and experimentation.

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

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

• Previous experience with building materials and or materials/waste processing
• Experience with relevant chemical/physical characterization techniques such as XRD, XRF, SEM etc.
• Previous publications and scientific communications
• Affinity/experience with materials research and/or laboratory experience

A sufficient English language level, both written and spoken, is required. Proofs of English level (such as certificates, coursework followed in English, manuscripts written in English etc.) should be mentioned.
Candidates who already hold the title of PhD/Doctor will not be considered for the current vacancy.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
• To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program ).
• A gross monthly salary from € 2,395 (first year) to € 3,061 (fourth year) in line with the Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• In addition, PhD candidates receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end of the year allowance
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called ‘30% facility’, which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more about the content of this position?
Please contact prof. H.J.H. Brouwers, h.j.h.brouwers[at]tue.nl.

For information about terms of employment, click here or contact HRServices.be[at]tue.nl  or +31 40 247 3901.

Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter (2 page max), which includes a motivation of your interest and an explanation of why you meet the job requirements (see above)
• Detailed Curriculum vitae
• Copy (or a most recent draft version) of your MSc thesis
• Transcripts of academic records indicating courses taken, including grades
• Contact details of two references (e-mail, phone number).

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it. Screening will continue until the position has been filled.

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.

Please keep in mind you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each. If necessary, please combine files.