Postdoctoral Researcher in Carbonation of Cementitious Materials

University of Malaga; España; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading research institution in Spain seeks an X-ray Imaging Postdoctoral Researcher to carry out innovative research on carbonation processes of cementitious materials. The role involves conducting X-ray imaging studies and collaborating with international partners. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field and experience in X-ray tomographic studies. Proficiency in English and programming skills are essential. The position offers a full-time contract with benefits, based in sunny Malaga.

Servicios

Full medical insurance

Social security contributions

Good standard of living in Malaga

Formación

• Proven experience in X-ray tomographic studies of materials is strictly required.
• Experience with synchrotron X-ray imaging/tomography is an important asset.
• Good programming skills for scripting are expected.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct X-ray imaging research on carbonation processes of cementitious materials.
• Analyze the kinetics of hydration and carbonation reactions.
• Interact with related research topics in X-ray imaging.

Conocimientos

X-ray tomographic studies

Programming in Python

English (Excellent)

Knowledge of Spanish

Educación

PhD in materials science, chemistry, physics or related fields

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company University of Malaga Department Department of Inorganic Chemistry Research Field Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry Physics » Solid state physics Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 31 Oct 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Other Type of Contract Extra Information Contract until end of project Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - EIC Reference Number 101220926 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Brief job title:X-ray Imaging Postdoctoral Researcher in Carbonation of Cementitious Materials – X-SeeO2

Research Group: The successful candidate will join the Cement Science Group in a vibrant internationally-leading environment. The group has just started an ERC-AdG (syn4cem ─ Imaging the hydration of low-carbon CEMents with SYNchrotron X-rays) and in October will start on the European Innovation Council (EIC) grant X-SeeO2.

Brief job description: The successful candidate will carry out X-ray imaging/tomographic research on cementitious materials, with the main focus being the carbonation processes of building materials. The associated grant, see funding section below, is the X-SeeO2 consortium awarded by the EIC. The consortium comprises the University of Malaga (PI: Prof. Miguel A.G. Aranda), the University of Bath (PI: Prof. Susan Bernal), the University of Manchester (PI: Prof. Philip Withers) and ESRF (The European Synchrotron, PI: Dr. Andrew Fitch). Research stays at ESRF (Grenoble, France) are expected, as this partner will develop an in-situ carbonation cell under moderate CO2 pressures and the candidate will contribute to the resulting 4D data analysis.
More specifically, the postdoctoral researcher will be heavily involved in Case Study-2 of X-SeeO2 (workpackage 10) “High-throughput determination of CO2 uptake kinetics in PCs and blends”.

Selected PCs and blends of PCs and Supplementary Cementitious Materials will be subjected to water precuring for several hours and CO2 curing up to 12 h under moderated CO2 pressures, up to 5 bars.

The kinetics of the hydration and carbonation reactions will be studied (ex-situ and in-situ) by laboratory and synchrotron powder diffraction (for crystalline component time-evolution) and laboratory and synchrotron computer tomography (for microstructure time-evolution, including carbonate-shrinkage). The diffraction studies will be carried out by additional X-SeeO2 staff.

X-SeeO2 has been selected under the ‘Enabling Technologies’ for the Challenge Portfolio, which means that the postdoc will also carry out selected imaging analyses for the materials developed by the additional grants funded by the EIC in this portfolio.

The six beneficiary projects within the “Towards cement and concrete as a carbon sink-Challenge” can be seen in this link . This will provide an excellent opportunity to interact with other (related) research topics in the field of X-ray imaging of cementitious materials and to broaden expertise.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Solid state physics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The applicants must have a doctorate in materials science, chemistry, physics or related disciplines at the time of the formal application to the UMA’s job application website. Experience in cements is not strictly required but would be an import asset.

Proven experience (with scientific publications) in X-ray tomographic studies of materials is strictly required. Synchrotron X-ray imaging/tomographic experience is a very important asset but not strictly needed.

A good working knowledge of English is essential, and required. Spanish, in addition, would be an asset. The successful candidate should have good programming skills for scripting, etc. Scripting in Python is an additional asset.

Specific Requirements

A good working knowledge of English is essential

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Chemistry » Inorganic chemistryPhysics » Solid state physicsEngineering » Materials engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

The social security contribution of the employer is on top of the gross salary. The contract includes full medical insurance for the successful candidate and direct family members. This will allow a good standard of living in the sunny city of Malaga.

Selection process

Interested applicants are invited to send an email directly to Prof. Miguel Ángel García Aranda ([e-mail] ) or visit his personal page for more information, clarifications and to express an interest in being considered for the position.

The offer will stay open only until the offer is published on the UMA's job application site, with the stated closing date, which may come before the date stated here.

Additional comments

Research stays at ESRF (Grenoble, France) are expected to be a part of the post

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Cement Science Group/University of Malaga Country Spain State/Province Malaga City Malaga Postal Code 29010 Street Edificio de Investigación Ada Byron, Arquitecto Francisco Peñalosa, 18, 29010 Málaga Geofield