Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
Two-year full-time position | Ghent University, Belgium | Shared collaboration with RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Ghent University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher or research engineer to join a newly funded research infrastructure project focused on the development and scientific use of a miniature thermo hydro-mechanical (THM) triaxial device for in situ 4D X-ray CT imaging of porous materials. The project will enable direct observation of microstructural changes, phase transitions, fluid redistribution, cracking, and degradation processes under controlled thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical conditions. The first applications will focus on geomaterials, frozen soils, and other climate-sensitive porous materials, while the platform will also be relevant to rocks, concrete, wood, asphalt binders, and related material systems. The position is mainly hosted at the UGent Geotechnical Institute and will be closely connected to the Centre for X-ray Tomography at Ghent University (UGCT). It will be a shared collaborative position with RWTH Aachen University, where the selected candidate will benefit from the expertise of Prof. Florian Fusseis and his group in CT-compatible deformation rigs and operando 4D imaging.
Where to apply
E-mail: mahya.roustaei@ugent.be
Requirements
Research Field: Engineering » Civil engineering
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- A PhD in geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, materials engineering, geosciences, or a closely related field.
- Strong expertise in X-ray CT imaging, preferably including in situ 4D imaging.
- Proven experience with image processing and quantitative analysis of 3D datasets.
- Good programming or scripting skills, for example in Python, MATLAB, ImageJ/Fiji, Avizo, Dragonfly, or similar tools.
- A strong experimental background and willingness to work hands-on with advanced laboratory equipment.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Specific Requirements
- Triaxial testing, soil mechanics, rock mechanics, or porous media testing.
- Frozen soils, freeze-thaw processes, permafrost, or temperature-controlled testing.
- CT-compatible mechanical devices, in situ loading stages, or custom experimental rigs.
- Segmentation of multi-phase materials, including ice-water-soil or pore-solid-fluid systems.
- Digital volume correlation, pore-network analysis, crack analysis, or microstructural quantification.
- Synchrotron imaging experiments.
- CAD, mechanical design, instrumentation, or sensor integration.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Ghent University
Country: Belgium
City: Gent
Postal Code: 9052
Street: Technologiepark 68, B-9052 Gent
Contact
City: Gent
Website: https://www.ugent.be/ea/civil-engineering/en/research/geotechnics
Street: Technologiepark 68
Postal Code: 9052
E-Mail: hwt1322824413@gmail.com
wentao.he@ugent.be
