项目介绍

2025年2月2日

KU Leuven is a research-intensive university, fostering fundamental and applied research, with a strong interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary focus, as well as a clear international outlook. We aim for research excellence, a contribution to societal and cultural debates and the realisation of a real knowledge society. At the Department of Materials Engineering (MTM) in KU Leuven, we develop and study new materials and processes to produce them. By modifying a material’s microstructure, we can create new properties, unlocking innovative applications. This PhD research will be conducted within one of MTM’s research groups, the Sustainable Resources for Engineered Materials (SREMat) group. The group’s research focuses on valorizing industrial residues by incorporating them into novel processes or materials. Through a multiscale approach, the group enhances the understanding of material systems while facilitating their transition to industrial applications.

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Project

Metallurgical industries are significant contributors to CO₂ emissions, generating slags that are often poorly valorised. A variety of solutions are being explored, and the option of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is likely to remain an essential component of future strategies. In the CR3 Center for Resource Recovery and Recycling project (https://wp.wpi.edu/cr3/), we are advancing a transformative approach to decarbonize both the metallurgical and cement industries. Based on existing data demonstrating the proof-of-concept, we continue the research by allocating resources for a PhD thesis.

The objective in the PhD is to conduct investigation into the carbonation process of particular slags as a potential method for CO2 sequestration and its use a potential cement substitute. Building upon the findings from another CR3 project, the PhD aims to explore fundamental aspects of carbonation under ambient temperature and pressure conditions (e.g., in a curing chamber). The storage of CO2 in these slags might open new ways of applications (by forming beneficial phases) or lead to a stabilisation and safer disposal from a geotechnical perspective. Next to that, the ability to immobilize the metal contaminants is of paramount importance obviously and carbonation may assist in doing so. Given the abundance of similar materials in nature, there is significant potential for synthesised slags. This research holds promise for innovative approaches to carbon storage and utilization.

Within the CR3 project, we are offering a full-time PhD position (4-year fellowship) at the Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven. We seek a highly motivated and ambitious candidate to work on carbonation of particular slags and phases. The position will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Yiannis Pontikes and Dr. Michiel Giels, based in Leuven, Belgium, a charming historical university town centrally located in western Europe, about 30 km from Brussels.

Profile

• Master’s degree in materials engineering, chemical engineering, metallurgical engineering, mineralogy, geosciences, or a related field.
• Background in processing and mineralogy.
• Clear motivation and high academic performance.
• Creative, critical, analytical, and innovative mindset.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Willingness to contribute to the research group’s goals.
• Willingness to participate in teaching activities within the Department of Materials Engineering.
• Being open and a team-player is a prerequisite.

Offer

• Work within an international research group focused on valorizing secondary resources for sustainable material development, extending beyond academic research to pilot-plant scale demonstration (https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/onderzoek/semper/sremat).
• Actively communicate and discuss project results with industry stakeholders within the CR3 consortium, fostering collaboration and alignment on objectives. Meetings are held both in the United States and Belgium, providing opportunities for global knowledge exchange and networking.
• Participation in an international and interdisciplinary project with a strong network and expertise in residue valorization research.
• Opportunities to combine academic research with pilot-plant efforts.

For more information on conditions, salary, benefits, and more please visit https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/en/phd

KU Leuven is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all talents can thrive, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality, or impairments.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Yiannis Pontikes, tel.: +32 16 32 03 92, mail: yiannis.pontikes@kuleuven.be or Mr. Michiel Giels, tel.: +32 16 32 63 76, mail: michiel.giels@kuleuven.be, including CV and a motivation letter.You can apply for this job no later than February 17, 2025 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

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