PhD vacatures

Job description

The cement industry is a major contributor to global CO₂ emissions, largely due to its dependence on clinker-the key constituent of conventional cement. To accelerate the decarbonization of construction materials, the C?'Sink Project (funded under the EU EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2024) is developing a breakthrough binder system that integrates CO₂?'sequestered magnesium silicate minerals (e.g., olivine and pyroxenes) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). By coupling clinker reduction with permanent CO₂ mineralization, this innovative approach not only lowers embodied carbon but enables concrete to act as a net carbon sink.

The C?'Sink consortium unites seven leading European universities, research institutes, and industrial partners, providing a unique environment for high?'impact, multidisciplinary research.

Position Description

We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher to advance the multi?'scale durability modeling of self?'compacting concrete (SCC) incorporating mineralized SCMs. The research will focus on:

• Modeling long?'term durability against chloride ingress and carbonation;
• Predicting service life of precast SCC elements;
• Coupling experimental durability data with advanced numerical simulations.

The researcher will be based in the Microlab (Section Materials & Environment), Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), and will collaborate closely with partners at KIT (Germany) and CSIC (Spain).

Job requirements

• PhD in Civil Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field;
• Strong knowledge of concrete technology and durability;
• Demonstrated experience in experimental durability research of construction materials;
• Solid background in numerical simulation and multi?'scale modeling;
• Strong publication record in relevant journals;
• Excellent written and spoken English skills;
• Independent researcher, but also an effective team player eager to collaborate with academic and industry partners.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world?'famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem?'solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 3 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

).

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 October 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A motivation letter specifically addressing our position.
• Full curriculum vitae including a list of all courses and marks.
• Publication list incl. A one?'page summary of your PhD thesis.
• Two recommendation letters (or alternatively the names and email addresses of two references).

Please note

• A pre?'employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.