PhD position in Moisture Transport in Heritage Brick Masonry Structures

Karlstad University; Louvain; Sur place; EUR 24 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious university in Belgium is offering a full-time PhD position focused on moisture transport in heritage brick masonry structures. The researcher will conduct vital studies to improve energy efficiency and preservation of historic masonry buildings while publishing findings in academic forums. Candidates must possess a relevant Master's degree and have a strong background in building physics. The position is part of an exciting research environment with flexible working conditions.

Prestations

Exciting work environment

Access to extensive training opportunities

Collaborative research networks

Qualifications

• Master's degree with minimum distinction or achievements.
• Proactive, critical and creative mindset.
• Interest in conservation of built heritage.

Responsabilités

• Publish research in academic journals and conferences.
• Write a PhD thesis and follow doctoral training.
• Provide teaching assistance at the Department of Civil Engineering.

Connaissances

Building physics

Research skills

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Formation

Master’s degree in Engineering Science, Civil Engineering, or equivalent

Description du poste

PhD position in Moisture Transport in Heritage Brick Masonry Structures

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.

A full-time PhD position in moisture transport in heritage brick masonry structures is available at the Building Physics and Sustainable Design section. The Building Physics and Sustainable Design section is part of the Department of Civil Engineering of KU Leuven, and performs research on different scales, i.e. the material level, the building component level, the building level and the built environment, as well as on the building occupants’ behaviour and its impact. The PhD researcher will contribute to the elaboration and implementation of the new research line on preventive conservation of cultural heritage monuments in the face of (climate‑change‑affected) humidity and temperature challenges.

Website unit

Project

Heritage buildings will play a crucial role to achieve the objectives set in the European Green Deal. They bring, though, a multitude of challenges when it comes to their energetic renovation and preservation. Most of our heritage buildings are realised with uninsulated load‑bearing masonry walls. For those buildings, moisture control constitutes a major challenge, as it is one of the most significant factors influencing the deterioration of historic masonry. The need for improving the energy efficiency of our heritage buildings, which often results in the application of interior insulation, in combination with future climate change is expected to bring even more severe moisture conditions, thus threatening our historic masonry buildings. A good understanding of the moisture transfer and storage in masonry is needed to avoid frost spalling, salt weathering and other damage patterns, and thus to preserve our historic masonry buildings. However, several challenges arise as, due to contact phenomena between materials, moisture transfer in masonry, composed of brick and (repointed) mortar joints, can deviate from the moisture transfer observed from the combination of the separate materials. To reliably quantify moisture transfer in masonry via numerical simulations, hence, a reliable implementation of this behaviour is of huge importance.

The goal of the envisaged PhD project is to improve the characterisation and numerical modelling of the moisture transfer across brick‑mortar and (re)pointing‑bedding mortar interfaces in heritage brick masonry. To this aim, the hygric properties of cured mortars will be determined, which demands the development of novel measurement techniques. In a second step, the moisture‑dependent interface resistance between brick‑mortar and mortar‑mortar interfaces will be quantified and validated for transient conditions. Next, a framework and guidelines for the implementation of these aspects in numerical simulations will be developed.

The research will be supervised by prof. Evy Vereecken (KU Leuven, Department of Civil Engineering, and Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage) and co‑supervised by prof. Staf Roels (KU Leuven, Department of Civil Engineering).

In addition to performing research, your work activities will consist of:

• publishing your research in (inter)national academic journals (and books), presenting your research at (inter)national seminars and conferences, as well as disseminating your work to a non‑academic audience;
• following the doctoral training at the Arenberg Doctoral School of KU Leuven, and writing a PhD thesis;
• providing teaching assistance at the Department of Civil Engineering and within the Master of Conservation of Monuments and Sites, e.g. assistance during practice sessions, supervising master theses, surveillance of exams.

Profile

We are looking for a dynamic and highly‑motivated PhD candidate, who:

• has obtained a Master’s degree in Engineering Science with a specialty in Civil Engineering, Architecture or another equivalent Master at the starting date of the contract;
• has a strong background in building physics;
• has obtained his/her Master’s degree with minimum distinction and/or can prove a distinguishment within his/her studies or academic career based on other achievements, awards or endorsements;
• is pro‑active, critical and creative‑minded;
• is capable working autonomous as well as in a team;
• is interested in conservation of built heritage;
• is interested in both numerical and experimental (lab and in‑situ) research work;
• is motivated to write, with the support of the supervisors, an application for a personal (FWO) grant for a PhD fellowship;
• has a very good knowledge of English;
• is living in Belgium, or is willing to move to Belgium for the duration of the project.

Offer

We offer an appointment as a full‑time PhD scholarship for the duration of 1 year, which is (after a positive assessment) extendable to 4 years. You will be part of KU Leuven, a world‑class university, that offers an exciting work environment and plenty of training possibilities to leverage your experience and your (hard and soft) skills; more information can be found via the website of the Arenberg Doctoral School. Additionally, via your peers, colleagues and supervisor an extensive national and international (both academic and non‑academic) network to collaborate with is offered. Also, possibilities to link your research to practical experiences will be offered (a.o. via our contacts with the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands,…).

Your location of employment will be the Department of Civil Engineering, Arenbergpark in Heverlee (Leuven). A flexible work schedule and possibility to work partly from home will be offered. Your salary scale is bound to your staff category. More information on the salary and other benefits can be found via the KU Leuven job site. The starting date of the PhD position is envisaged in April 2026; though, based on your availability, an adjusted starting date can be discussed.

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility support, please contact us at [e-mail].

Candidates are invited to apply no later than December 17, 2025 via the online application tool. Please include in your application file (in English):

• a cover letter with a clear motivation (maximum 2 pages);
• an extended curriculum vitae;
• an academic transcript of your BA and MA degree(s);
• a sample of relevant research or work experience (e.g. a pdf of your Master Thesis, a publication, student project,…);
• the name(s) and contact details of at least one referee whom might be contacted during the selection process.

For more information, please contact prof. Evy Vereecken ([e-mail]) or prof. Staf Roels ([e-mail]). If you encounter problems submitting your application online, please send an email to [e-mail].

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Job details

• Title: PhD position in Moisture Transport in Heritage Brick Masonry Structures
• Closing date: 2026-04-30 (Europe/Brussels)