"Postdoc In Adopting and advancing the concrete upcycling process across the globe"

Job Description

Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in construction, but its production significantly contributes to CO₂ emissions. To address this issue, our project focuses on creating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) from recycled concrete fines (RCFs) to promote more sustainable building practices. Traditional SCMs include byproducts like fly ash and slag, but as these resources become less available, we are exploring new sources, particularly those derived from construction and demolition waste. When concrete is demolished, it produces fine powder known as RCFs. With specific treatment, these fines can potentially enhance concrete performance when used as SCMs. However, RCFs can vary in quality depending on their source and may contain impurities that affect their effectiveness.

This project aims to understand how the C2CA recycling process can effectively upcycle concrete with various impurities, such as bricks and ceramics. By investigating these materials, we seek to determine how to produce high-quality SCMs. Firstly, methods will be developed to improve the properties of recycled concrete, ensuring strong and durable end products regardless of their origin. Secondly, this project will explore blends of RCFs with other mineral residues, such as dredged sediments or excavation waste, to create new, high-performance SCMs. Thirdly, lab-scale tests will be conducted to evaluate the performance and durability of the new SCMs, ensuring their reliability for construction applications.

The postdoc researcher will join the Building Materials Group which contains 25 PhDs, 3 postdocs, 2 assistant professors, 1 associate professor, and 1.4 full professors. This research group works on new, sustainable, and circular 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, and 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, are 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, testing and recycling, 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.

Requirements

Motivated researcher with a PhD in civil engineering, chemistry, mineralogy, or a comparable domain. 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.

Conditions of Employment

Fixed-term contract: 2 years. 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 2 years. Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538). 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.