Assistant Professor in Building Materials with a focus on durable concrete with novel binders

The Department of Building and environmental Technology at Lund University, Faculty of Engineering invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor.

The Division of Building Materials at the Faculty of Engineering has for more than 60 years been leading in research concerning the durability of construction materials. During this time, most types of materials have been studied, for example, concrete, mortar, plastic carpets, sealants, wood and flooring screeds. As the focus of the division has been on durability and as almost all processes that compromise durability are moisture dependent, materials-water relations have been central. The division’s work on moisture transport and measurement of relative humidity are well known, as are our work on chloride migration, rebar corrosion and frost damage on concrete.

Nearly all projects at Division of Building Materials are of experimental nature and we have a large laboratory with extensive activities. We have, for example, a well equipped concrete laboratory and a laboratory for studies of hydration kinetics by isothermal calorimetry. In the moisture field, we are well equipped to study sorption and transport.

Nearly all projects at Division of Building Materials are run with the participation of industry. This is also true for our recent investment in a laboratory for the study of environmentally improved binders. We also have extensive collaboration with other research groups concerning the use of different measurement techniques and benefit greatly to be part of a large university. We also see a large potential in being situated close to the synchrotron facility MAXIV and the European Spallation Source (ESS).

This call is made in light of the large CO2 emissions linked to the production of cement and that we are part of the international transition where Portland cement is supplemented or replaced by a broad palette of industrial waste materials, natural materials and new binders. This transition leads to major challenges for concrete manufacturers as the new binders may have different durability-related properties, such as pore structure and phase composition, compared to traditional concrete based mainly on Portland cement. Successful use of the environmentally improved binders of the future requires knowledge in the entire field from binders to durability; we need to understand both why a certain chemical-physical structure is formed when a binder hydrates and how this structure affects the durability. We want to work in the entire area from binders to durability to ensure that the environmentally improved binders of the future provide durable constructions.

Currently, we are six senior researchers at Division of Building Materials. We work with moisture and hydration in cement-based materials, durability of concrete, moisture in wood, soil stabilization, bio-based materials and multi-physics calculations. The division – both offices and laboratories – is centrally located on LTH's campus, with the chemistry departments, for example, within walking distance.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

The successful applicant will be named a WISE Fellow and will, besides the support for own salary, receive a generous start-package including salary for 2 PhD students and 2 postdoctoral researchers. The WISE Fellow will participate in collaborations, education, and activities of the WISE programme.

The associate professor position is a six year tenure track position, where the first four years are financed by WISE, so applicants should see themselves as future research leaders.

Subject

Building Materials with a focus on durable concrete with novel binders

Subject description

The field of durable concrete with novel binders is broad and internationally very active. The applicant should have broad knowledge in the field of cement and concrete and have demonstrated in-depth research in one or more parts of the field.

The applicants are free to choose research field within the subject. Here are a few examples of possible such fields:

• Large-scale experimental methods for chemical and physical characterization of unhydrated and hydrated binders.
• Use of previously unused slags and other waste materials as supplementary cementitious materials.
• Prediction of sorption and transport properties of concrete based on properties of the dry binders.
• Development of techniques at MAXIV/ESS for the study of, for example, structural development under hydration.
• Methods to accelerate hydration kinetics, for example by activating waste materials and natural materials.
• Chloride transport and chloride binding in concrete based on non-Portland binders.

Work duties

Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.

Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria

For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Significant documented research experience in the research area from doctoral studies and PostDoc from another university (or equivalent "post-PhD" experience from institutes or industry).
• Documented experience of experimental techniques to study chemical and physical parameters of cement-based materials.
• A clear and realistic vision for how the applicant should build their research group.
• Experience in the following areas:

1. Cement chemistry (unhydrated binders, hydration processes, hydrated phases).
2. Structural development on different scales for cement-based materials.
3. Environmentally improved inorganic/mineral binders.
4. Durability of concrete.

• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.

Other qualifications

• A strong experimental profile.
• Previous experience of cooperation between academia and industry.
• Experience of doctoral supervision
• Experience of applying for and obtaining major research funding.

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

We offer 

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.  Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: Work at Lund University.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: To apply for academic positions at LTH.

*****************************************************************

Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Building Materials with a focus on durable concrete with novel binders

During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and educational tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.
• Progression in research and teaching expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to attract external research funding in competition.