Doctoral scholarship holder Binder-Stabilised material technology for durable road base layers

 Department: Faculty of Applied Engineering

Regime Full-time

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The research group EMIB (Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings) of the Faculty of Applied Engineering is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of binder-stabilised material technology for durable road base layers.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis entitled “FIFA - Exploring the use of Biobinder/additives in the Physicochemical Bonding Mechanism in Fibre-reinforced Foamed Aggregate Matrix (FIFA)”. The main objective of this thesis is to study the adhesive and cohesive mechanics of foamed stabilized materials using biobinders or bitumen with reclaimed asphalt pavement in road base structure, incorporating fibres to improve the bonding mechanism in the interface mortar. The study will be performed on lab-scale and to assess the interfacial bonding in the mixture matrix (molecular structure of FIFA) based on Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Next, the moisture susceptibility of the FIFA from a microscopic point of view using the SFE method (or alternative if appropriate for biobinders) and MD simulations will be studied in order to challenge and improve the durability and the possibility to use biobinders instead of bitumen to increase sustainability. With your research you will contribute to gain more insight in these materials and develop a solution to optimize the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement for sustainable road base layers by using biomaterials instead of petroleum-based.  During your research you will cooperate with the EMIB and EMAT (Electron Microscopy for Materials Science EMAT | Electron microscopy for materials science | University of Antwerp (uantwerpen.be) group, DuEL research group (UAntwerp) and other universities such as VUB (vub.be) and Stellenbosch University (South Africa).
• You communicate about your research by publishing in A1 journals and giving presentations at (inter)national conferences.
• You are willing to go abroad for short term (1 month) and extended period (3-6 months) for a research exchange, e.g. Stellenbosch University, or another partner from our/your international network.
• You take on limited tasks of educational support within the Department of construction, such as supervising scientific projects, bachelor's thesis and master's thesis, all related to your own doctoral research or broader expertise.
• You take on limited tasks of research support within the research group and the laboratory, such as actively participating in LEAN sessions, helping in the organization of our annual symposium, following up one or more improvement actions and carrying out tasks as an equipment manager (training master's students, keeping the working procedure up-to-date, providing information for the website, ... about the BSM applications).

Profile

• You hold a Master Degree or Master of Science degree, preferably in Construction, Material science, Geotechnics, Civil or Chemistry or Bio-Engineering (either Industrial Engineering or Engineering Sciences), or equivalent, or you will have obtained it before November 1^st, 2022.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results (minimum distinction and preferably great distinction).
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• Your knowledge of English is good, both in written and oral communication (if available, you can provide proof by adding one of the following items to the attachments: an IELTS or TOEFL test result, or a previously written English paper).
• You have carried out a master's thesis or previous research related to the research topic focusing on recycling of RAP, mechanical characterization of construction materials, BSM, composite materials with cement, bitumen, biobinders or foamed-bitumen technology.  

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years.
• The planned start date is November 1^st, 2022 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at campus Groenenborger (Wilrijk) 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 August 8^th 2022 (by midnight CET). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: the requested diplomas, a motivation letter, your academic CV (educational record, research, teaching experience), a one page summary of your master’s thesis (in English), and optionally proof of your English proficiency.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. In the week of August 22^nd, we will inform you about your application and if you are selected, what the next steps in the selection procedure are. Please make a note of the following dates in case you are selected for the second stage interview: 05 September PM CET.
• 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 Wim Van den bergh (wim.vandenbergh@uantwerpen.be)

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.

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