Doctoral fellow

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH GROUP
The Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory at the Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials of Ghent University is the largest Belgian research center in the field of concrete technology and concrete structures and has a vast and widely-spread international recognition. The research areas focus on different aspects of concrete structures, going from fundamental material research on microscopic and sub-microscopic scale to structural behaviour and structural reliability of concrete structures on large scale. The Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory disposes of extensive experimental testing facilities and infrastructure.

ABOUT THE DOC-CEM PROJECT
The General objective of this project is to build-up knowledge and develop models and tools that enable the accurate prediction of the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials during their service life. In line with the Fit-for-55 plan, Flanders aims to reduce CO₂ emissions, pushing the cement industry to cut its carbon footprint and account for CO₂ uptake in cement-based materials to meet future Environmental Product Declaration requirements. Existing research mainly focuses on reinforced concrete (corresponding to 40% of cement use) and CEM I cement, leading to inaccuracies in estimating CO₂ capture, especially for other cement-based materials and modern blended cements. This project will expand research to include mortars, recycled concrete aggregates, and shaped products, considering various curing processes, material characteristics, and carbonation conditions to better predict the degree of carbonation (DoC). The project will build a comprehensive carbonation database for construction products in service. The technology will enable accurate computation of the CO2 uptake of cement-based materials. It will support material modifications to boost CO2 uptake and material design for carbon sink.
Concrete project objective are:
1) Construct a comprehensive database for natural carbonation of cement-based materials. Data will be validated and complemented with replicable experiments on the various types of products.
2) Determine the effect of curing (moist, autoclave, steam) on the DoC of cementitious binders, including blended cements. Develop curing-specific DoC prediction models and validate against experimental results.
3) Determine the effect of controlled exposure conditions on the DoC of fibre cement materials, recycled concrete aggregates and recycled concrete fines, construction blocks and sandwich panels.
4) Identify the main drivers towards fast carbonation of cement-based materials (including porosity, binder composition, curing methods) and conduct a sensitivity analysis. Make recommendations for the design of cement-based materials optimized for a rapid and reliable CO2 uptake. This will include at least eight material formulations (including fibre cement products, recycled aggregates, construction blocks and sandwich panels).

YOUR TASKS

• You will contribute to the project goals in collaboration with a postdoctoral researcher and your PhD supervisors. The ultimate goal is to obtain a doctoral degree.
• You will construct the database for natural carbonation of cement-based materials, including mortars, cement blocks, fibre-reinforced panels, pavers, and applications related to cement pastes. Data will be gathered through engagement with companies producing these materials, stakeholders, government organizations, and technical committees, as well as through a comprehensive review of relevant literature addressing both lab studies and existing structures. You will also carry out additional accelerated carbonation experiments and be responsible for data conversion and CO2 uptake calculations.
• You will investigate how design and exposure conditions affect CO2 uptake in shaped products like sandwich panels, construction blocks, pavers, and fibre-cement products.
• You will carry out a whole life cycle assessment of the considered cement-based materials including the elaboration of a rigorous life cycle inventory, construction of the LCA framework, data integration, and scenario analysis.
• You will interact with the members of the International Advisory Committee, collaborate with colleagues at University of Bath and TU Graz who will support specific tasks in the project, and with the members of the RILEM TC CUC (Carbon dioxide uptake by concrete during and after service life)

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a Master’s degree (preferably) in civil engineering, structural engineering, materials engineering, chemistry, geology (or another MSc leading to sufficient knowledge on the topics of relevance)
• You have knowledge of cement chemistry, concrete technology, durability of cementitious materials
• Analytical and modelling skills are a plus: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), quantitative XRD, SEM-BSE, mercury intrusion porosimetry, 1H-NMR, thermodynamic modelling, …
• You have an independent and well-organized working style, well-developed social skills directed towards working in an interdisciplinary team, strong motivation to succeed in scientific research, excellent presentation and scientific writing skills and excellent English language skills (verbally and written).
• You are willing to commute for some experiments to the premises of VITO (Mol)

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/03/2026 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

INTERESTED?

Applications must contain the following documents:

• a personal (motivation) letter and curriculum vitae,
• a copy of your diplomas and associated certificates,
• a transcript of records of the bachelor and master curriculum,
• a copy of degree projects and any previous publications,
• a proof of English language skills,

two recommendation letters (or the names and email addresses of two references).

Send your application before 31/01/2026 to nele.debelie@ugent.be with as subject: DOC-CEM PhD candidacy of [SURNAME - given name].

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof. Nele De Belie (nele.debelie@ugent.be).