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.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
Digital concrete fabrication allows high freedom in design and material saving by removing restrictions to rectilinear forms. However, due to processing requirements, most digital concretes appear to be overdesigned with increased cement contents, giving them a higher carbon footprint per unit volume than ordinary concrete. Therefore, the goal of this project is to gain a deep understanding of digital concrete processing to improve its sustainability. To this end, we propose a ground-breaking concept using magneto-activated microcapsules with magneto-responsive particles embedded in the shell for the accelerator release. More specifically, when exposed to a pulsed magnetic field, a pulsatile release of the encapsulated accelerator can be achieved for the stiffening control.


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 infrastructures, among which the large strong floor for executing load tests on large-scale elements is a unique instrument.

YOUR TASKS

You will contribute to the project goals.
Three work packages (WPs) are planned. WP1 will evaluate the magneto-response of the microcapsules as a prerequisite. WP2 will focus on the release of the encapsulated accelerator for high buildability. WP3 will unravel the effect of the delayed release of the accelerator on the interlayer bond and the overall structural performance.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, at Ghent University is currently looking for a PhD student on the following granted project:

Stiffening control of digital concrete using magneto-activated encapsulation.

Applicants should have:

• Knowledge of concrete technology, experience with 3D printing of concrete is an added value
• 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 (and to obtain a PhD degree)
• Excellent presentation and scientific writing skills
• Excellent English language skills (verbally and written)

In addition, applicants are expected to be involved in services to industry and educational activities within the Department.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• The above mentioned project is a research project funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO Vlaanderen). The project will be performed at the Department of Structural Engineering and Building Materials in collaboration with (a postdoctoral student at) the Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry of Ghent University. In addition, for part of the experimental program, collaboration with ETH Zurich in Switzerland is foreseen.
• The project will start as soon as a suitable PhD candidate is found and will last for 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 15/02/2026 at the earliest. The candidate is offered 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.
• 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.
• In addition, the candidate will have the possibility to attend international conferences, follow specialized courses and to develop a national and international scientific and industrial network.

INTERESTED?

Applications must contain the following documents:

• a personal (motivation) letter and curriculum vitae,
• a copy of degree certificates 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).

The documents should be sent before 31 January 2026 to kim.vantittelboom@ugent.be with in the title of the mail ‘PhD student – Stiffening control of digital concrete using magneto-activated encapsulation’.

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



MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Kim Van Tittelboom (kim.vantittelboom@ugent.be, +32(0)9/264 55 40).