Ghent University invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in the Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials, focusing on the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials. The successful candidate will join the renowned Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Belgium’s largest research center in concrete technology and structures, internationally recognized for its expertise and state-of-the-art experimental facilities. This doctoral project is part of the DOC-CEM initiative, which aims to develop advanced models and tools for accurately predicting the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials throughout their service life. The research aligns with the Fit-for-55 plan, supporting Flanders’ and the EU’s goals to reduce CO2 emissions and improve the environmental performance of the cement industry. The project will address gaps in current research by expanding the focus beyond reinforced concrete and CEM I cement to include mortars, recycled concrete aggregates, and shaped products, considering diverse curing processes and carbonation conditions. Key objectives include constructing a comprehensive database for the natural carbonation of cement-based materials, validating data with replicable experiments, and developing curing-specific prediction models for the degree of carbonation (DoC). The research will also analyze the effects of design and exposure conditions on CO2 uptake in products such as sandwich panels, construction blocks, pavers, and fibre-cement products. The candidate will perform life cycle assessments, integrate data, and conduct scenario analyses to inform material design for enhanced carbon sequestration. The PhD fellow will work closely with a postdoctoral researcher, supervisors, and international collaborators, including the University of Bath, TU Graz, and the RILEM TC CUC committee. The position offers a full-time contract for up to 48 months, starting as early as March 2026, with a competitive, tax-free fellowship and comprehensive staff benefits. Eligibility: Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, materials engineering, chemistry, geology, or a closely related field. Essential skills include knowledge of cement chemistry, concrete technology, and durability of cementitious materials. Analytical and modelling experience (e.g., TGA, XRD, SEM-BSE, porosimetry, NMR, thermodynamic modelling) is advantageous. Candidates must demonstrate strong motivation, independent and organized work habits, excellent teamwork, scientific writing, and English language proficiency. Willingness to travel to VITO (Mol) for some experiments is required. Application: Submit a motivation letter, CV, diplomas, transcripts, degree projects, publications, proof of English proficiency, and two recommendation letters (or referees’ contact details) by email to Prof. Nele De Belie ([email protected]) with the subject: DOC-CEM PhD candidacy of [SURNAME - given name]. The deadline is 31 January 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Nele De Belie at [email protected]. Ghent University is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in recruitment.

Ghent University invites applications for a full-time doctoral fellowship in the Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials, focusing on the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials. The position is embedded within the Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Belgium’s largest research center for concrete technology and structures, renowned for its international recognition and advanced experimental facilities. The DOC-CEM project aims to develop models and tools for accurately predicting the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials throughout their service life, supporting Flanders’ Fit-for-55 plan to reduce CO2 emissions. The research will address gaps in current knowledge by expanding beyond reinforced concrete and CEM I cement to include mortars, recycled concrete aggregates, fibre cement products, and modern blended cements. The project will construct a comprehensive carbonation database, validate data through experiments, and develop curing-specific prediction models. It will also analyze the effects of curing methods, material characteristics, and exposure conditions on the degree of carbonation, ultimately providing recommendations for designing materials optimized for rapid and reliable CO2 uptake. As a doctoral fellow, you will collaborate with a postdoctoral researcher and PhD supervisors to achieve the project’s goals. Your responsibilities include constructing the carbonation database, gathering data from industry partners and literature, conducting accelerated carbonation experiments, performing CO2 uptake calculations, and investigating the impact of design and exposure conditions on various cement-based products. You will also carry out life cycle assessments, interact with international advisory committee members, and collaborate with colleagues at the University of Bath, TU Graz, and RILEM TC CUC. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (preferably) in civil engineering, structural engineering, materials engineering, chemistry, geology, or a related field. Essential skills include knowledge of cement chemistry, concrete technology, and durability of cementitious materials. Analytical and modelling skills (e.g., TGA, XRD, SEM-BSE, porosimetry, NMR, thermodynamic modelling) are advantageous. Candidates must demonstrate independence, organizational skills, motivation for research, strong teamwork and communication abilities, and excellent English proficiency. Willingness to commute to VITO (Mol) for experiments is required. The fellowship offers a contract of up to 48 months, starting no earlier than March 1, 2026, with a salary at 100% of the net AAP member rate, tax-free, and determined by family status and seniority. Ghent University provides extensive staff benefits, including training opportunities, generous holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. To apply, submit a motivation letter, CV, diplomas and certificates, transcripts, degree projects and publications, proof of English language skills, and two recommendation letters or referee contact details. Email your application to Prof. Nele De Belie at [email protected] by January 31, 2026, with the subject 'DOC-CEM PhD candidacy of [SURNAME - given name]'. Ghent University encourages applications from all backgrounds as part of its equal opportunities and diversity policy. For further information, contact Prof. Nele De Belie ([email protected]).

Ghent University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in Structural Engineering and Building Materials, focusing on the accurate prediction of CO2 uptake in cement-based materials. The position is based in the renowned Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory, Belgium’s largest research center for concrete technology and structures, offering extensive experimental facilities and international recognition. This role is part of the DOC-CEM project, which aims to develop models and tools for predicting the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials throughout their service life. The project supports Flanders’ Fit-for-55 plan to reduce CO2 emissions and addresses the need for improved Environmental Product Declarations in the cement industry. Research will expand beyond traditional reinforced concrete to include mortars, recycled aggregates, and modern blended cements, considering various curing processes and carbonation conditions. The project will construct a comprehensive carbonation database and develop predictive models to support material modifications for enhanced CO2 uptake and carbon sink design. The successful candidate will collaborate with researchers at VITO, supervise a PhD student, design concrete mixes and curing regimes, analyze carbonation exposure, and develop thermodynamic models. Responsibilities include conducting experiments, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement with industry and international partners such as the University of Bath, TU Graz, and the RILEM Technical Committee CUC. Applicants must hold a PhD in civil engineering, structural engineering, materials engineering, chemistry, geology, or a related field, with strong expertise in cement chemistry, concrete technology, and durability of cementitious materials. Advanced analytical and modelling skills are required, including experience with TGA, XRD, SEM-BSE, porosimetry, NMR, and thermodynamic modelling. Candidates should demonstrate excellent English proficiency, scientific writing, and teamwork skills, and be willing to commute to VITO (Mol) for experiments. The position offers a two-year contract (starting 01/03/2026 at the earliest), competitive salary (PD1–PD4 scale), and comprehensive staff benefits including training, generous holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. Ghent University is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. To apply, submit your application online before 31 January 2026, including your CV, academic transcript, cover letter, diploma, proof of English skills, and references. For further information, contact Prof. Nele De Belie at [email protected] (applications by email are not accepted).