PhD Position in Bio-Based Binder Systems for Sustainable Paving Applications

Shape the future of biomaterials from waste!

Job description

We have a new PhD vacancy in our group on durability analysis of recyclable bio-based binder systems. This PhD position is part of the newly funded national NWA-ORC project, Ab initio Biowaste Loop (ABEL), which is funded by NWO (Dutch Research Council).

To close material loops in the Dutch bioeconomy, ABEL brings together a large multidisciplinary consortium from industry, academia, policymakers, and societal partners to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: making high-value, sustainable, and circular biomaterials from low-value waste streams that can compete and even outperform traditional alternatives. This project targets applications across agriculture, asphalt paving, aviation, construction and the built environment.

As a PhD student within the ABEL consortium at Delft University of Technology:

• You are highly motivated to join our research on the structure–property–durability relationships and recyclability of bio-based paving binders and their resulting composites.
• In this project, you will develop an understanding of how environmental stressors (moisture, UV exposure, temperature fluctuations) and mechanical loading (fatigue, creep) interact to affect the long-term performance of bio-based binders at both micro- and macro-scales.
• Physico-chemical and mechanical characterisation methods under complex environmental loading conditions will be employed. Furthermore, multivariate analysis and AI techniques will be used to develop predictive modelling frameworks linking material composition to material properties and durability.
• Techniques such as spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, rheology, microscopy, and chemometric analysis will be applied to study the interactions between bio-based components (such as bio-oils and bio-chars) within binder formulations and to benchmark their performance against conventional petroleum-based counterparts.
• A physico-chemical–mechanical approach, incorporating artificial neural networks (ANNs), will be used to identify key features governing structure–property–durability performance under realistic environmental conditions, as well as recyclability potential.
• Finally, the ability of the developed bio-based materials to meet or exceed industry standards for road construction will be assessed.
• The insights gained will guide the design of bio-based paving binder formulations, including mono-material blocks, while addressing mechanical limitations and identifying effective strategies for durability enhancement.

During the project, you will:

• Publish high-quality scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to project reports in collaboration with the project supervisors and others.
• Participate in consortium meetings, workshops, and stakeholder events, and actively contribute to knowledge exchange and impact activities.
• Support the supervision of MSc students where relevant and contribute to the academic life of the department.

This PhD position is a unique opportunity to help reshape supply chains, material innovation, and explore how the value of biomaterials is defined and perceived across industry, society, policymakers and regulators.

The guidance of this PhD project will be provided by Dr. Yasmine Mosleh and Dr. Aikaterini Varveri.

Job requirements

• MSc degree in polymer engineering, material engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of polymeric materials.
• Experience with mechanical/physical/chemical characterizations.
• Experience with FE modelling, and programming tools such as Python and MATLAB is considered an asset.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• If your native language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, you must submit proof of English proficiency from either TOEFL (minimum total score of 100) or IELTS (minimum total score of 7.0).
• A creative and structured mindset, and willing to take initiative or think outside the box.
• Communicative with the ability to work independently or in a team.

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology 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.

The Faculty of 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.