Postdoctoral researcher Structural Engineering

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH GROUP

The Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory at the Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials of Ghent University is the largest Belgian research center in the field of concrete technology and concrete structures and has a vast and widely-spread international recognition. The research areas focus on different aspects of concrete structures, going from fundamental material research on microscopic and sub-microscopic scale to structural behaviour and structural reliability of concrete structures on large scale. The Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory disposes of extensive experimental testing facilities and infrastructure.

ABOUT THE DOC-CEM PROJECT

The general objective of this project is to build-up knowledge and develop models and tools that enable the accurate prediction of the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials during their service life. In line with the Fit-for-55 plan, Flanders aims to reduce CO₂ emissions, pushing the cement industry to cut its carbon footprint and account for CO₂ uptake in cement-based materials to meet future Environmental Product Declaration requirements. Existing research mainly focuses on reinforced concrete (corresponding to 40% of cement use) and CEM I cement, leading to inaccuracies in estimating CO₂ capture, especially for other cement-based materials and modern blended cements. This project will expand research to include mortars, recycled concrete aggregates, and shaped products, considering various curing processes, material characteristics, and carbonation conditions to better predict the degree of carbonation (DoC). The project will build a comprehensive carbonation database for construction products in service. The technology will enable accurate computation of the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials. It will support material modifications to boost CO2 uptake and material design for carbon sink.

Concrete project objective are:

1. Construct a comprehensive database for natural carbonation of cement-based materials. Data will be validated and complemented with replicable experiments on the various types of products.
2. Determine the effect of curing (moist, autoclave, steam) on the DoC of cementitious binders, including blended cements. Develop curing-specific DoC prediction models and validate against experimental results.
3. Determine the effect of controlled exposure conditions on the DoC of fibre cement materials, recycled concrete aggregates and recycled concrete fines, construction blocks and sandwich panels.
4. Identify the main drivers towards fast carbonation of cement-based materials (including porosity, binder composition, curing methods) and conduct a sensitivity analysis. Make recommendations for the design of cement-based materials optimized for a rapid and reliable CO2 uptake. This will include at least eight material formulations (including fibre cement products, recycled aggregates, construction blocks and sandwich panels).

YOUR TASKS

• You will contribute to the project goals in collaboration with researchers at VITO and the project managers. You will support and supervise a PhD student who is also allocated to the project.
• You will be in charge of the design of different concrete mixes and curing regimes, decide on carbonation exposure conditions and take care of the analyses, conversion of data and CO2 uptake computation.
• You will investigate the effects of variability in cement paste content, and study carbonation of recycled cementitious materials in stockpiles.
• You will develop thermodynamic predictive models trained on the comprehensive database that will be compiled, for describing the carbonation process in blended cement paste with SCMs of varying chemical compositions and alkali-activated cement.
• You will interact with stakeholders, such as producers of mortars, construction blocks, fibre-reinforced panels and pavers to investigate how design and exposure conditions affect CO2 uptake. You will propose guidelines for enhanced carbonation.
• You will interact with the members of the International Advisory Committee, collaborate with colleagues at University of Bath and TU Graz who will support specific tasks in the project, and with the members of the RILEM Technical Committee CUC (Carbon dioxide uptake by concrete during and after service life)

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate (preferably) in civil engineering, structural engineering, materials engineering, chemistry, geology (or another area leading to excellent knowledge on the topics of relevance).
• You have profound knowledge of cement chemistry, concrete technology, durability of cementitious materials.
• You have profound analytical and modelling skills, including e.g. thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), quantitative XRD, SEM-BSE, mercury intrusion porosimetry, 1H-NMR, thermodynamic modelling, …
• You have an independent and well-organized working style, well-developed social skills directed towards working in an interdisciplinary team, strong motivation to succeed in scientific research, excellent presentation and scientific writing skills and excellent English language skills (verbally and written).
• You are willing to commute for some experiments to the premises of VITO (Mol)

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period from 01/03/2026 at the earliest for the period of 2 years.
•  Your contract will start on 1/03/2026 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4 (if you hold a doctorate).  Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and a transcript of your academic record (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field “other documents”: a proof of English language skills, contact details of three references or two recommendation letters.

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. prof. Nele De Belie nele.debelie@ugent.be Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via selecties@ugent.be.