Are you fascinated by the intersection of Physics, Chemistry and materials science? Do you want to contribute to protecting monuments including World Heritage Sites from degradation caused by rising damp?
The Institute of Physics at the University is seeking an ambitious PhD candidate to investigate the effectiveness of damp-proofing products across multiple length scales.
Join Us!
Rising damp from groundwater represents a critical threat to buildings worldwide. Some building-preservation treatments (most of the times polymers) are used to reduce rising damp, that is the moisture uptake from the ground moving upward through porous brick, stone, or mortar by capillary action. These treatments are supposed to create a water-repellent zone in order to interrupt upward moisture transport.
However, the fundamental mechanisms governing the spreading and polycondensation at the microscale, and thus the effectiveness, of such treatments in porous building materials remain largely unexplored. Critical knowledge gaps exist regarding the multiscale behaviour of these treatments, from microscale pore interactions to macroscale building performance.
This project will advance beyond the state of the art by elucidating for the first time the dynamics of spreading and polycondensation of chemical damp proofing products by real-time visualization of these processes at the pore scale. You will use novel experimental methods developed in our laboratory by combining fluorescent viscosity-sensitive probes and confocal/infrared microscopy with mechanical measurements to correlate the microscale of pore interaction to the macroscale behaviour.
Together with a diverse stakeholders group, including chemical product manufacturers, governmental conservation agencies, building asset owners, and contractors, and in collaboration with TU Delft (the Architecture Department) we will establish the knowledge and tools to improve the effectiveness of chemical damp proofing interventions and significantly reduce the estimated €19 million annual costs of chemical treatments in the Netherlands.
Your research will be part of the Soft Matter cluster at the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (IoP-WZI) at the University of Amsterdam, under the supervision of Prof. Noushine Shahidzadeh (expert on crystallization and sol-gel process in confinement) and Prof. Hannelore Derluyn (expert in micro-CT 3D imaging for porous media).
This is what you will do
You will conduct pioneering research combining advanced imaging techniques with experimental characterization to elucidate the effects of different variables on the effectiveness of chemical damp proofing products, with the final goal of increasing the success of such barrier treatments against rising damp in (historic) masonry.
You will Study
- the Rheological changes of the product during polycondensation
- Reaction and aging in quasi-2D micromodels of porous media designed in the lab. Results will bring valuable pore-scale information on gelation and polycondensation, not accessible by other advanced imaging techniques such as NMR and X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT).
- The dynamics of spreading of chemical products at different conditions in different porous materials using fluorescent viscosity-sensitive probes and confocal/infrared microscopy, and also by XCT scans, to get valuable information on the final deposition, following polycondensation at the microscale, and the results on the macroscale behaviour.
Your core responsibilities include:
- Conducting independent experimental research at different scales from bulk to confinement under various climatic conditions,
- Performing systematic studies in microfluidic channels and real porous building materials (limestone and sandstone) at the laboratory scale under controlled environmental cycling.
- Using advanced imaging and characterization techniques including optical and electron microscopy, IR and Raman spectroscopy, MRI, and X-ray microtomography to track polycondensation in real time.
- Publishing your findings in peer-reviewed international journals and presenting at international conferences
- Contributing to teaching activities by assisting in undergraduate and master's courses in physics.
- Collaborating with other members of Prof. Shahidzadeh and Prof. Hannelore Derluyn's group and making the link with our collaborator at TUDelft.
What we ask of you
Your experience and profile:
- A completed Master's degree in Physics, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
- Strong interest in experimental research combining materials science, sol-gel process, and applications to real-world problems.
- Affinity with experimental techniques including microscopy, spectroscopy, and/or imaging methods.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
- Motivation to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences
- Willingness to assist in teaching undergraduate and master students
It is a preference if you additionally have:
- Experience with soft matter physics and porous media
- Familiarity with imaging techniques (optical/electron microscopy, X-ray tomography, or spectroscopy)
This is what we offer you
We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years).
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week ranges between €3,204 to €4,051 (Scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD candidate is applicable.
A favourable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non-Dutch applicants.
The preferred starting date is as soon as possible (to be discussed).
This employment should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and international meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.
Additional benefits:
- Vibrant, international, and interdisciplinary research environment;
- Access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities and advanced imaging equipment;
- Opportunity to work on a project with high societal impact related to climate change and cultural heritage preservation;
- Collaboration with leading experts in crystallization field, porous media, as well as heritage conservation;
- Integration into both international research networks in Crystal growth, Porous media, and Cultural heritage science;
- Professional development through courses, workshops, and international conferences.
The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
You will work in this team
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
The Institute of Physics (IoP) of the University of Amsterdam is located in the centre of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP—as part of the Faculty of Science—is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit (VU Amsterdam), the institute is part of a strong physics centre of international standing.
The Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics (IoP-WZI) is part of the IoP and home to three research clusters: Quantum Gases & Quantum Information (QGQI), Quantum Materials (QMat), and Soft Matter (SM).
You will be based in the Soft Matter cluster, working in Prof. Shahidzadeh's research group crystallization and self- assembly; The Soft Matter group at the University of Amsterdam is a large, internationally visible team embedded in the Van der Waals–Zeeman Institute at the UvA Institute of Physics that focuses on complex fluids and soft mesoscopic materials, both experimentally and computationally. There are strong links with soft condensed‑matter theory and computational chemistry on topics like rare events, self‑assembly and crystallization , and active soft matter. The group of Prof. Noushine Shahidzadeh has been also active in the cultural heritage field for more than 15 years through European JPI calls, RILEM technical committees, and NWO Crossover calls. (please visit our website Soft Matter Group – Institute of Physics). IoP is one of the partners of the Netherlands Institute for Conservation of Art and Science (NICAS), providing additional opportunities for collaboration with conservation professionals and heritage institutions.
This project represents a unique collaboration between Prof. Noushine Shahidzadeh (experimental soft matter and crystallization mechanisms) and Prof. Hannelore Derluyn (Professor by special appointment at IoP-WZI, expert in micro-CT 3D imaging of porous materials). Short research stays at the DMEX Centre for X-ray Imaging in Pau, France, are foreseen to conduct micro-CT experiments. The study will provide novel insights for the improvement of the effectiveness of chemical damp proofing interventions used worldwide.
Do you want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button on top of this page.
Application deadline: October 10th, 2026
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Prof. Noushine Shahidzadeh, n.shahidzadeh@uva.nl
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your CV should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- A detailed CV including the start and finish months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- A letter of motivation explaining your interest in this position and how your background fits the project;
- A list of publications (if applicable);
- The names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation;
- Academic transcripts (BSc and MSc).
We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, even if you don't meet every requirement. The UvA attaches great importance to the contribution of scientists from under-represented groups in research and education.
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.
A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).
Working at UvA
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