PhD Candidate in Mitigating ASR by Balancing Alkalis

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); Trondheim; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme

Pension fund (SPK)

Career guidance

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a PhD Candidate in the Department of Structural Engineering. The project focuses on concrete durability and ASR, exploring alkali release, binding with SCMs, and modelling.

Collaboration with SINTEF (Trondheim) and TUM (Munich) is included, with strong emphasis on experimental work and thermodynamic modelling. The position is 3 years with potential for a fourth year, and requires admission to NTNU's PhD programme.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in civil engineering or material engineering with specialization in concrete design and/or concrete materials.
• Master's degree must include a major independent project (min 30 ECTS) or equivalent.
• Excellent written and oral English language skills.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Carry out high-quality research within the described framework.
• Publish academic papers and disseminate popular science.
• Participate in the Concrete research group.
• Engage in international activities such as conferences or research stays.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in civil or material engineering

Tools

BET

Laser diffraction analysis

SEM-EDS

Job description

About The Position

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

About The Position

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

We have a vacancy for a PhD-candidate at the Department of Structural Engineering which has about 120 employees, half of them PhD Students and about 17 Postdocs and researchers.

The current position will be affiliated with the Concrete group which is a team of scientists dedicated to the study of all aspects of concrete. The Concrete group conducts research on concrete from material to structural level based on theoretical, numerical and experimental investigations. The Concrete group is involved in several national and international research projects, it has a close collaboration with the industry, and it has extended laboratory facilities with a rich history.

The candidate is expected to conduct research within the field of concrete durability, more specifically within the field of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete. The PhD project will explore how alkali release from aggregates influences ASR in concrete and how alkali binding in cement paste containing supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can moderate this effect. Building on the RILEM AAR-8 test, the study investigates alkali release from a range of aggregates, how calcium availability affects this release, and what fraction of the released alkalis actually contributes to ASR expansion. The work includes pore-solution analyses to quantify alkali contributions from reactive and non-reactive aggregates, as well as concrete expansion tests to determine the alkali thresholds that trigger damage. A key focus is the role of SCMs in buffering alkali release and potentially suppressing its impact. Parallel experiments will quantify alkali binding in cement pastes with various SCMs and replacement levels, by the development of alkali-binding isotherms combined with in-depth studies using amongst others SEM-EDS. Together, these investigations aim to clarify how aggregate release and alkali binding in cement paste interact to control ASR risk in modern composite cements. The current PhD position involves both experimental research and thermodynamic modelling. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with SINTEF (Trondheim, Norway) and TUM (Münich, Germany).

The project receives additional funding from Heidelberg Materials and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen).

The candidate’s main supervisor will be Professor Klaartje De Weerdt, while Associate professors Anja Estensen Klausen, Adjunct professors Jan Lindgård and Barbara Lothenbach, and Associate professor Alisa Machner (TUM) will act as co-supervisors.

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in the research group concrete
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Complete the necessary course/training to work in the laboratory
• Laboratory work
• Teaching may be considered
• Other career promoting work

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required Selection Criteria

• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme, see Section 6-1 of the PhD regulations for more information.
• You must have a relevant Master's degree in civil engineering or material engineering specialized on concrete design and/or concrete materials, or equivalent.
• Your degree must include a major independent project (minimum 30 ECTS) equivalent to a master’s thesis
• You must have a strong and relevant academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker academic background, you may be considered if you can document that you are exceptionally suited for a PhD education, for example through relevant work experience and/or peer-reviewed academic works
• You must have excellent written and oral English language skills

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred Selection Criteria

• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language
• Proven skills/track record in the relevant areas of research, or work experience from the industry
• Proven experience with laboratory work, e.g., solution analysis, BET, and laser diffraction analysis (psd).
• Proven experience with academic writing
• Keen interest in theoretical, experimental and practical engineering research work

Personal characteristics

• Work independently
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work. A fourth year of career promotion work may be considered depending on qualifications. (A minimum of three work years of the total term period must be dedicated to doctoral work.)

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About The Application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The Application Must Include

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV
• Copy of Master's thesis.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Klaartje De Weerdt, [e-mail]. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Kristine Grønvold, HR-consultant, [e-mail].

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim

is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Structural Engineering

We teach mechanical engineering, engineering and ICT, and civil and environmental engineering. The Department conducts internationally leading research and participates in several large national research projects. The Department of Structural Engineering is one of eight departments in the Faculty of Engineering.