The Faculty of Engineering Technology, located on Campus De Nayer (Sint-Katelijne-Waver), and the Department of Civil Engineering of the Science Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, invite applications for a PhD position to strengthen the Materials & Structures research group.
We are looking for a dynamic and motivated person (m/f) to perform research and prepare a PhD in the domain of Additive Manufacturing and Concrete Modeling, to support the activities of the research group 'Materials & Structures' and teaching in the Bachelor and Master of Science in Engineering Technology - Civil Engineering.
Project
General Introduction
The position is located on Campus De Nayer in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, which is one of the operational sites of the Faculty of Engineering Technology. The faculty is a multi-campus faculty following the integration of the Engineering Technology education programs of the KU Leuven. The faculty has its own teaching, research and doctoral profile.
The appointee is respectively a member of the Department of Civil Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering Technology of KU Leuven because of his/her activities and teaching assignments.
Research
Funded by VLAIO and in collaboration with multiple leading industrial partners in Flanders, the doctoral research is focused on optimizing the structural and thermal performances of 3D printed building elements using environmentally friendly concrete materials. With the goal of circular construction and energy efficiency, the work foreseen includes typological optimization, buildability modeling, 3DCP structural elements in combination with metal and polymer based materials, and demountability. The De Nayer campus is looking for a PhD student that should conduct research in the field of the additive manufacturing and concrete modeling involving experimental and numerical characterizations. The candidate will be working under the guidance of Prof. dr. ir. Lin Wan-Wendner, active in the field of Structural Engineering and Infrastructure Materials in the Civil Engineering Department at KU Leuven. The research will be carried out in close collaboration with multiple consortium partners in academia and industry.
The researcher is expected to:
- Conduct numerical and experimental scientific research using state-of-the-art tools and equipment.
- Be able to work independently, accurately and methodically.
- Present his/her results during regular internal and/or external meetings.
- Write scientific papers in international recognized journals, and present results during scientific conferences.
- Apply for external funding.
- Have proven academic basis for the envisaged research topic.
Teaching
The successful candidate will support teaching activities in the Bachelor and Master of Science in Engineering Technology - Construction Engineering.
The appointee shall also be willing to guide master theses.
Consultancy
Depending of the evolution during the offered PhD trajectory, it is also possible that the student will need to support consultancy activities.
Profile
The position is open to applicants with a master degree in Engineering Technology (preferably in civil engineering).
Qualified candidates:
- have proficient grades (at least distinction in the Master's degree);
- have a strong interest in multidisciplinary research;
- have interest in finite element modelling, discrete modeling, numerical methods, full-scale testing, sustainable construction and 3D concrete printing;
- are motivated, open-minded, have the ability to work in a team, and eager for international mobillity;
- very good knowledge of the English language, both spoken and written, is essential; knowledge of Dutch is an asset;
- are flexible, and have good organizational skills.
Offer
We offer a fulltime employment for up to 4 years. You will work as a doctoral student in a stimulating and challenging work environment with a high degree of flexibility and autonomy.
At KU Leuven, the main teaching language is Dutch, while general communication for research is English. The appointee must accept the necessary mobility required for fulfilling his/her teaching research assignments.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Lin Wan-Wendner, tel.: +32 15 68 80 77, mail: lin.wan-wendner@kuleuven.be.
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