Postdoctoral Scholarship in Construction Engineering
University of Antwerp
Belgium

Regime: Full-time

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Position

The Sustainable Pavement and Asphalt Research (SuPAR) group of the Department of Construction Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Engineering is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of pavement engineering and materials science. This position is part of the ongoing trilateral international research project BIOBIT.

You will actively work on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of alternative paving material, specifically on the replacement ability of bitumen with bio-materials based on multi-performance compatibility analysis using chemical, rheological, and thermoanalytical techniques.

You will:

• Draw up a research plan related to the BIOBIT project and corresponding research methods in consultation with your supervisor(s) and undertake the necessary administration for a smooth PhD process.
• Conduct the research efficiently and to an appropriate standard, in an ongoing trilateral international research project (research stay(s) foreseen).
• Report progress to your supervisor(s) and committees, and present your research at scientific conferences.
• Defend your thesis publicly and aim for publication in scientific venues.
• Make a supporting, scientific contribution to existing research projects or lines of research within and beyond your own doctoral research.
• In addition to project-based research, you will also be responsible for a limited range of support tasks related to teaching and/or research management within SuPAR.

Profile

You:

• Hold a master's degree in Chemistry, Materials science, Civil Engineering and related disciplines or you will have obtained it by the time you start to work.
• Can provide evidence of excellent study results.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• Act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• Can speak and write fluently in English, and possibly, express yourself in Dutch.
• Experience with construction materials, bitumen and/or bio-based materials is recommended.
• Prior experience with thermoanalytical (i.e., Differential Scanning Calorimetry), chemical analyses (i.e., Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and rheological assessment (i.e., Dynamic Shear Rheometer) of bituminous binders is a nice-to-have.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years.
• We offer the opportunity to take part in academic activities within the scope of your work, as well as the opportunity to further develop yourself through training and education.
• The planned start date is the 1st of September 2026 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
• As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 11 June 2026 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:

• a motivation letter (max 1 page)
• your academic CV (max 2 pages)
• a reference letter signed by a mentor, supervisor or professor (max 1 page) that should be attached to this application

The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.

If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Christina Makoundou (christina.makoundou@uantwerpen.be), co-PI of the BIOBIT project.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.

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