"Senior postdoctoral researcher pavement engineering and materials science"

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

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The SUSTAINABLE PAVEMENTS AND ASPHALT RESEARCH (SuPAR) group of the Department of CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING in the Faculty of APPLIED ENGINEERING is looking for a full-time (100%) senior postdoctoral researcher in the field of pavement engineering and materials science.

Position

• You will assist in an ongoing trilateral international research project: Studies on the replacement ability of bitumen with bio-materials based on multi-performance compatibility analysis (BIOBIT), and support the management and coordination of the SUSTAINABLE PAVEMENTS AND ASPHALT RESEARCH (SuPAR)
• BIOBIT project aims among others to: define the maximum feasible replacement levels of fossil-based asphalt binders, evaluate the short- and long-term chemical and mechanical compatibility of bio-materials with binders, and assess their functional and environmental impacts through a multi-scale framework.
• You will assist in the daily supervision of a PhD student and collaborate with other team members of BIOBIT and SuPAR.
• You will assist in writing high-quality publications, progress reports and in the organisation of the progress meetings of the BIOBIT team.
• You will participate in the provision of academic services: you will represent the research group both internally and externally in workshops, research stays, lectures and conferences.
• You will help coordinate project proposals in the field of pavement engineering and contribute to attracting external funding.
• You will fulfil a limited number of teaching activities and thesis supervision.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in Materials Engineering, Chemistry, or Civil Engineering (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work).
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can speak and write fluently in English and, preferably, express yourself in Dutch.
• Prior experience with thermoanalytical (i.e., Differential Scanning Calorimetry), chemical analyses (i.e., Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and rheological assessment (i.e., Dynamic Shear Rheometer) of bituminous binders is a nice-to-have.
• You are keen on developing new knowledge in multivariate statistics and modelling.

What we offer

• We offer a full-time contract as a senior postdoctoral researcher for a period of 2 years.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for a principal research fellow in the Contract Research Staff category (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is 1 June 2026 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 15 April 2026 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter (max 1 page)
  • your academic CV (max 2 pages)
  • a full list of your publications
  • a reference letter signed by your mentor (max 1 page)
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Dr. Georgios Pipintakos (georgios.pipintakos@uantwerpen.be), co-PI of the BIOBIT project