PhD Position on Resilient Asphalt Materials under Climate Change

PhD Position on Resilient Asphalt Materials under Climate Change

Job Description

Ensuring the durability and resilience of future road infrastructure requires asphalt materials that can withstand the combined impacts of climate change and traffic loading. The Mechanistic and Data-driven Approach for Developing Resilient Asphalt Materials under Climate Change (MEDAS) project, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), aims to establish a scientific foundation for designing and managing climate-resilient pavements. While current pavement design practices are largely experience-based and successful under moderate conditions, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events introduces new challenges that demand a fundamental understanding of the interaction between materials, environment, and loading.

This PhD research will focus on developing mechanistic and data-driven tools to assess and predict the long-term performance of asphalt mixtures exposed to climate-induced stresses such as temperature fluctuations, moisture variations, and UV radiation. The study will involve both laboratory experiments and numerical modelling, linking climate data and material behaviour across multiple scales. Particular attention will be paid to how environmental factors accelerate damage, affect healing processes, and alter material properties over time.

You will conduct your PhD research within the Pavement Engineering Section of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at TU Delft, where your work will be part of the broader research programme on sustainable and resilient infrastructure materials. The Pavement Engineering Section is internationally recognised for its research in material characterisation, pavement design, and performance modelling. Its research themes include the ageing and healing of asphalt materials, the development of low-temperature and recycled mixtures, rejuvenation and circularity concepts, and the multi-scale modelling of pavement structures. The section’s state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities support research from chemical and microstructural characterisation (FTIR, DVS, DSC) to full-scale mechanical testing (four-point bending, ITT), as well as advanced numerical simulation.

The project is carried out in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and several industrial partners (BAM Infra, Boskalis, Dura Vermeer, Latexfalt, Iterchimica, TotalEnergies, and Rijkswaterstaat). Although the research is strongly aligned with Dutch road engineering needs, the scientific challenges are of a fundamental nature and globally relevant. You will therefore interact with international researchers and industry specialists, contributing to the development of knowledge that supports sustainable, climate-resilient pavements worldwide.

The Department of Engineering Structures at TU Delft focuses on developing resilient, smart, and sustainable structures and infrastructures. Its research themes—ranging from the mechanics of materials under climate change to full-scale testing and modelling—align closely with the MEDAS objectives. As part of this department, you will benefit from an inclusive, multidisciplinary environment that integrates expertise in materials, mechanics, and infrastructure design to address the societal challenges of sustainability, resilience, and innovation in the built environment.

Job Requirements

• Need to have:

  • MSc in pavement engineering, material science, organic chemistry or a similar area.
  • Demonstrable experience with testing and/or modelling (preferred) of bitumen, asphalt concrete or similar materials.
  • English proficiency as specified at TU Delft PhD admission.

• 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.

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.

Faculty of Civil Engineering and 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.

Conditions of Employment

• 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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• 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.

Relocation Support

If you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job, TU Delft is committed to making your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional Information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Xueyan Liu via email: X.Liu@tudelft.nl