PhD Position Characterization of Innovative Pavement Materials

Develop the fundamental background knowledge needed to assess and select the materials for the sustainable roads of the future

Job description

Bitumen is a fossil material that is used to produce asphalt concrete, usually at high temperatures. In moving towards sustainable pavements, alternative materials and/or more energy efficient production techniques are developed. However, the current pavement materials have long life times and for a truly sustainable solution, the alternatives also need to perform for similar periods of time. To assess early on if materials have this potential, fundamental insights in material compatibility and properties on various scales that can be linked to long term field performance need to be developed.

This PhD project focusses on understanding the applicability of existing bitumen and mixture assessment tools for alternative materials for both initial properties and their development over time. The focus will be on Warm Mix Asphalt applications, with special attention to performance over time/durability. The work will have both experimental, modelling and data-analyses components. Experience with one or more of these components for bitumen, asphalt concrete or similar materials is a prerequisite.

You will do your PhD in the Pavement Engineering section, where your project is part of a larger research program, Knowledge-based Pavement Engineering2.0, that the section carries out together with the Dutch Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) for the Dutch National Road Agency (RWS). Although geared towards Dutch applications, the scientific challenges in your project are of a fundamental nature and world wide applicable. As such, you will interact with researchers from various parts of the world and work together with specialists from the Pavement Engineering Section, TNO and RWS as well as specialists from the Dutch pavement engineering sector.

The education and research programmes of the Pavement Engineering section cover the characterization of pavement materials and the design, construction, and maintenance of different types of pavements. All these topics are addressed at various (material) scales, using a combination of experimental and numerical techniques. Current research is focused on sustainability related topics, such as alternative materials, ageing and healing response of traditional and innovative binders and asphalt mixtures, rejuvenation and recycling techniques of asphalt mixtures and tire-pavement interaction. The section is equipped with state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities. The experimental facilities cover various scales, from chemical (FTIR, DVS, DSC) tests to functional properties tests (four-point bending, ITT). The powerful computational facilities enable us to develop advanced numerical models for research at all these scales.

The Department of Engineering Structures focuses on the development of resilient, smart and sustainable structures and infrastructures. Our aim is to meet societal demands in transportation, the energy transition and sustainable reuse. Research themes include dynamics of structures, mechanics of materials related to e.g. climate change, modelling and design of railway systems, multi-scale modelling of pavement materials and structures, reuse of materials, structures and parts of structures, assessment methods for structures, smart monitoring techniques, design methods, replacement and renovation of civil infrastructure and development of new materials and maintenance techniques. Our unique Macro Mechanics Laboratory facilities support full-scale testing, monitoring and modelling of structures to facilitate implementation of innovations. The department delivers both groundbreaking research and world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. As a team, we represent different backgrounds, skills and views. We foster an inclusive culture, as our combined identities, attitudes and ambitions widen our perspective and make up our strengths.

Requirements

Need to have:

• MSc in pavement engineering, material science, organic chemistry or a similar area.
• Aemonstrable experience with testing and/or modelling of bitumen, asphalt concrete or similar materials or with data analyses linking material properties to field performance.

Nice to have:

• Demonstrable experience with writing scientific publications.
• Experience in presenting your work.
• Affinity with data analyses.
• Experience with literature studies.
• A preference for working in and with a team.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.

Conditions of employment

Since the PhD is part of the KPE2.0 project, which is still pending, the position will be fulfilled only if the project is aquired by TU Delft. If this is the case, the project and this position will start in January 2025.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Civil Engineering & Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.