"Postdoc Durability Modeling of Self-Compacting Concrete Made with Mineralized SCMs"

The cement industry is a major contributor to global CO₂ emissions, largely due to its dependence on clinker—the key constituent of conventional cement. To accelerate the decarbonization of construction materials, the C-Sink Project (funded under the EU EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2024) is developing a breakthrough binder system that integrates CO₂-sequestered magnesium silicate minerals (e.g., olivine and pyroxenes) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). By coupling clinker reduction with permanent CO₂ mineralization, this innovative approach not only lowers embodied carbon but also enables concrete to act as a net carbon sink.

We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher to advance the multi-scale durability modeling of self-compacting concrete (SCC) incorporating mineralized SCMs. The research will focus on: Modeling long-term durability against chloride ingress and carbonation; Predicting service life of precast SCC elements; Coupling experimental durability data with advanced numerical simulations. The researcher will be based in the Microlab (Section Materials & Environment), Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), and will collaborate closely with partners at KIT (Germany) and CSIC (Spain).

PhD in Civil Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field; Strong knowledge of concrete technology and durability; Demonstrated experience in experimental durability research of construction materials; Solid background in numerical simulation and multi-scale modeling; Strong publication record in relevant journals; Excellent written and spoken English skills; Independent researcher, but also an effective team player eager to collaborate with academic and industry partners.

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.

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.

Duration of contract is 3 years. A job of 36-40 hours per week. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.