Postdoctoral position in Cementitious Building Materials

This project aims towards a more sustainable transport infrastructure in Sweden, through replacement of cement for soil stabilization with industrial wastes or natural resources. This has the potential to not only contribute towards climate neutrality goals but also towards circular economy and resource efficiency in the transport sector.

Project description
A known strategy for minimization of the needs for cement production is utilization of cement replacement material. A lot of research is still needed in this area, but a very promising field of application is soil stabilization.
This project, therefore, aims to enhance application of alternative cementitious materials in the construction supply chain, with a focus on soil stabilization, through improving the current available knowledge regarding drivers and barriers for realizing the identified technical opportunities in using binders with lower carbon footprints. Targeted improvements are in better technical understanding on functionality of these materials, standardization, environmental/economical/social aspects of the market impact along this value chain as well as proper communication ways (common language) of scientific and technical outcomes to the authorities, policy makers and the government. An achievement as such combined with all the scientific and technical knowledge obtained nationally and internationally on available types, volumes, potentials, and properties of cement replacement materials will in turn lead to:

1. Minimization of required cement in construction sector, which in turn will lead to the long-wanted climate-neutral and economic cement and construction industry.
2. Enhanced circular economy and resource efficiency as the materials in focus are all industrial wastes or natural abandoned resources.
3. Enabling a socially/economically and environmentally sustainable construction/cement industry through creation of new markets, business opportunities as wells as occupations.

Major responsibilities
As post-doc your main responsibility is to conduct research that assesses needs and requirements for promoting future application of blended binders with a minimized cement content in construction sector with a focus on soil stabilization. You are expected to work with a high degree of independence, while still being capable of close collaboration with other researchers and external partners when needed. You should be able to communicate scientific results to different stakeholders, both orally at meetings and conferences and in written form as scientific articles.

Information about the division and the research group
The division of Building Technology at the department of Architecture and Civil Engineering consists of four research groups: Building Materials, Building Physics, Infrastructure Physics and Sustainable Building. All groups work with sustainable materials, buildings, and infrastructures. Since a large amount of the world energy use relates to buildings, much of the research at the division deals with energy issues.

Within the research group Building Materials, the main focus is on cement-based building materials and their composites. One major area is transport properties of liquid, gas, ion and moisture in porous materials through which research on durability and service life of materials in long-term use in various environments is conducted. Another area is minimization of carbon dixide foot-print assigned with cement production with utilization of alternative cement replacement materials. The Division of Building Technology also teaches in all levels of education at Chalmers, primarily in the areas of Civil Engineering and Architecture. The announced position will be placed in the research group Building Materials, which provides research and education within building materials including cement, concrete, wood, bitumen and polymer composites.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a duration of one year, with the possibility for extension for an additional year.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
Learn more and apply here: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=9805


Application deadline: 15 October, 2021

All evaluations will be performed after the deadline and only for the application submitted electronically through chalmers web page. Therefore please don’t ask for pre-evaluation of your qualifications through email contacts.