PhD student position in Cementitious Materials

We are looking for a Ph.D. student who will study the carbonation process in cementitious materials in which cement is largely replaced by natural pozzolans. Your work will contribute to enhancing real-world application of natural pozzolan incorporated binders with minimized embedded CO2, durable to cope with future climate effects. You will get experience from the combination of novel experimental techniques, offering insight into the material during deterioration.

Project description
In the research project “Evolution of pozzolan incorporated concrete: Resistance to carbonation (Carbo-Crete) ”, a multi-scale (mm to cm), and multi-modal (XRD, TGA, SEM, NMR, XCT) research approach will be adopted. Whilst the project is strongly experimental, the research will be underpinned by knowledge on the underlying physico-chemical processes and experimental techniques. As such the project accounts for the effects of carbonation on physio-chemical properties of the cementitious system, including hydrate phase assemblage, binding capacity, pore structure, changes in effective permeability and microcracking. The considered dimension for the assessments includes bulk, surface and full 3D, in scales evolving from Ångstrom to cm.

Information about the division and the department
The research will be done in the research group Building Materials, which is part of the Division of Building Technology at the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, in collaboration with the research groups Geotechnics and Concrete Structures at the same department.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility will be to carry out the PhD project and to conduct research in the area of Cementitious Materials. You will have the opportunity to influence the details of the research towards the needs of the project, with the possibility to combine experimental work with theoretical modelling. As a doctoral student, you will participate in doctoral courses and be involved in teaching activities. You will develop your skills in communicating scientific results, both to the public and industry and through scientific publications to the research community.

As a Ph.D. student you are employed by Chalmers and will receive a salary according to current salary agreements. The position is limited to maximum 5 years. A maximum of 20% of your time will be required for carrying out departmental duties, mainly teaching of undergraduate courses. The remaining time will be spent on your own courses and research, and you are expected to obtain a Ph.D. degree within 5 years (nominal time without department duties is 4 years).

Qualifications
The successful applicant has a good knowledge of cementitious materials and enjoys both experimental and modelling work. A suitable background is a Master of Science (Swedish: civilingenjör) in Chemical/Materials engineering or Civil or Structural Engineering, or an equivalent degree. A sound knowledge of and experience of data processing and scripting, e.g. by the use of Python or Matlab, is recommended.

You are expected to work relatively independently (although you will be a part of a research environment with several other researchers and Ph.D. students), have an ability to plan and organize your own work, to work in collaboration with others, and to be able to communicate your scientific results in English. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230065 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Application deadline: 01-03-2023

For questions, please contact:
Assistant Professor Arezou Baba Ahmadi, Building Materials
E-mail: arezou.ahmadi@chalmers.se 
Phone: +46 31 772 11 61

Professor Angela Sasic Kalagasidis
E-mail: angela.sasic@chalmers.se
Phone: +46317721998

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!