Ruben Snellings

KU Leuven is advertising a fully funded PhD position in the field of NMR crystallography and chemistry of cement hydrates, specifically focusing on water structuring and dynamics in cementitious LDH phases. The research will be conducted within the NMRCoRe group, led by Associate Professor Ruben Snellings, an expert in applied mineralogy. The project aims to advance understanding of the structure and behavior of water in cement hydrate systems using advanced NMR techniques and crystallographic analysis. Applicants should have a strong background in chemistry, materials science, or a related discipline, and experience with NMR or crystallography is highly valued. The position offers a competitive stipend, tuition coverage, and the opportunity to work in a leading research environment at KU Leuven in Belgium. Interested candidates should apply online via the KU Leuven jobsite, submitting all required documents before the deadline. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated students interested in interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry and materials science.

This PhD position at KU Leuven focuses on the molecular structuring and dynamics of water in cementitious layered double hydroxide (LDH) phases, a key component in the development of low-carbon cements. Supervised by Prof. Ruben Snellings and Dr. Eric Breynaert, the successful candidate will join a collaborative research project embedded in the internationally reputed scientific environment of KU Leuven, working primarily within the Departments of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Microbial and Molecular Systems, with opportunities for collaboration in Materials and Civil Engineering. The LDH2O project aims to resolve the structural role of water in cement LDH phases using advanced NMR crystallography, which combines NMR spectroscopy, diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The research will provide new insights into how LDH interlayer architecture and hydration states are determined by interlayer anion groups, impacting the performance of concrete under varying environmental conditions. The position offers a competitive full-time scholarship for four years, access to state-of-the-art analytical facilities, and training through the Arenberg Doctoral School. Responsibilities include synthesizing LDH materials, molecular characterization using advanced techniques, active participation in research group activities, supervision and training of BSc and MSc students, and contributing to scientific publications and grant applications. Applicants should hold or be close to obtaining a relevant MSc degree (Geoscience/Mineralogy, Chemistry, Bio-engineering, Materials or Civil Engineering), have excellent grades, a strong inorganic (geo)chemistry background, and motivation to master advanced analytical techniques. Proficiency in English and experience with scientific programming and data analysis are desirable. The position is available immediately, with a negotiable start date. KU Leuven fosters an inclusive and diverse research environment and encourages applications from all backgrounds. For further information, candidates may contact the supervisors directly. Application is via the KU Leuven jobsite.

This PhD position at KU Leuven focuses on advancing the fundamental understanding of carbonatable binders and their reaction mechanisms, with the aim of developing CO2-negative solutions for the construction industry. The research will be conducted in collaboration between the Materials and Chemistry Unit at VITO (Mol) and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (section Geology) at KU Leuven (Leuven), under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ruben Snellings and co-promotion by Dr. Natalia Pires Martins. Concrete production is a major source of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, primarily due to the use of Portland cement. Carbonatable binders, which harden through a reaction with CO2, offer a promising alternative by binding CO2 into solid carbonate products, thus contributing to both the microstructure and strength of the material. The project will explore Ca-rich precursors such as portlandite, belite, and wollastonite, as well as Ca-Mg-silicates like akermanite, which have shown promising reactivity towards mineral carbonation. This research could unlock the use of Mg-silicate-rich residues, including slags and mine tailings, as raw materials for carbonatable binders, enabling large-scale CO2 storage in construction materials. The PhD candidate will address key knowledge gaps regarding the relationship between binder phase reactivity and the resulting microstructure and properties of carbonated products. The project involves high-temperature synthesis of binders, carbonation experiments using advanced setups (reactors, curing chambers), and comprehensive materials characterization and microstructural analysis using techniques such as XRD, TGA, SEM-EDX, and ICP-OES. The candidate will actively participate in research group meetings, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, reports, and grant applications, and follow the doctoral training programme of the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School. Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a MSc in Geoscience/Mineralogy, Chemistry, Bio-engineering, Materials or Civil Engineering, or equivalent, with excellent academic grades and a strong inorganic (geo)chemistry background. Familiarity with material characterization techniques and motivation to learn advanced synthesis and analytical methods is essential. Proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required, and candidates should meet KU Leuven's language requirements. Analytical problem-solving skills, creativity, critical thinking, hands-on mentality, and experience in scientific programming and data analysis are desirable. The successful candidate will receive a full-time scholarship for four years, with access to state-of-the-art facilities, technical support, and personalized mentoring. Additional fellowships are encouraged. The position offers opportunities to participate in local and international conferences, build a scientific network, and gain experience in transferable skills. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, providing a supportive and respectful environment for all researchers. For more information, contact Prof. Dr. Ruben Snellings at [email protected]. Apply online via the KU Leuven job portal. Ensure you meet the language requirements before submitting your application.

KU Leuven is offering a PhD position on Bio-Cemented Mineral Composites for Building Applications within the E.CoLith project, a multidisciplinary effort to develop next-generation sustainable biomineral composites for construction. The project combines synthetic microbiology, concrete chemistry, mineralogy, and materials engineering to explore how bacteria can be used as programmable components in the formation of mineral-based building materials. The PhD researcher will be jointly supervised by Prof. Özlem Cizer and Prof. Ruben Snellings at KU Leuven. Prof. Cizer’s group brings expertise in carbonation and bio-cementation mechanisms, porous-material microstructure, and performance assessment, while Prof. Snellings’ group contributes expertise in low-carbon mineral binders, precursor reactivity, mineral carbonation, and advanced mineralogical characterization. The research is embedded in a broader interdisciplinary consortium and focuses on Work Package 2: Material Formulation, Bio-Fabrication & Characterization . The project aims to design porous mineral scaffolds and binder-precursor systems that support controlled bacterial colonization and enable calcium carbonate and silica mineralization while meeting relevant processing, microstructural, and engineering requirements. The work will move from well-defined model minerals to recycled and secondary mineral resources. The position offers access to advanced facilities for mineral processing, material fabrication, microbial experimentation, cement and concrete testing, and multiscale characterization. You will collaborate with researchers in synthetic microbiology, microstructure-scale modelling, and architectural biofabrication, participate in the Materials and Constructions group and the wider E.CoLith consortium, and complete the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School training programme through publications, conference participation, and coursework. Eligibility highlights: candidates should hold a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Geology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, or a closely related field, with strong academic performance and demonstrated research/experimental skills. Background in mineral-based materials, cement chemistry, crystallization, porous materials, biomineralization, or biofabrication is desirable. Experience with X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, microscopy, spectroscopy, pore-structure characterization, or geochemistry is an advantage. Excellent English communication skills are required. Funding: the position includes a full-time doctoral scholarship for four years, subject to positive evaluation, and leads to a PhD in Engineering Science upon successful completion. KU Leuven also highlights institutional benefits such as health insurance and access to university infrastructure and sports facilities. Application deadline: 2026-09-30. The preferred starting date is January 2027, though a mutually agreed date may be possible. Apply online and include a CV, motivation letter, diplomas and transcripts, thesis summary, English proficiency proof, and contact details for at least two academic referees. For more information, contact Prof. dr. Özlem Cizer at [email protected] .