Road infrastructure networks are currently at risk due to material ageing, structural degradation and lack of maintenance budget. Road authorities and pavement industry face numerous challenges related to the need for increasing recycling rates, the low asphalt quality and high performance variability, the demand for rejuvenators and performance-enhancers, and climate change. Furthermore, emerging binding materials (recycled bitumen, bio-binders, polyurethane, epoxy, rubber-modified binders) are being considered as sustainable replacements of traditional petroleum-based binders to mitigate pollution and depletion of fossil fuels.

However, there is lack of technology for efficient and reliable prediction of long-term material performance under interacting environmental conditions considering the changing material characteristics due to variable bitumen quality, and inclusion of recycled materials and non-traditional binders.

The aim of this research project is to develop a robust integrated multiscale and multiphysics modelling framework to predict and optimize long-term material performance using fundamental-based chemo-mechanical properties and advanced material modelling coupled with environmental degradation kinetics (moisture, oxygen, temperature). The model will be verified by experimental tests at the relevant material scale.

Your PhD project will be supervised by Katerina Varveri and Cor Kasbergen. During the project you will interact with other (inter)national researchers and experts in the field of pavement engineering.

The candidate should have:

• A MSc degree in the areas of Civil Engineering, Computational Materials Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or other related areas.
• Acquaintance with pavement materials and engineering is a plus.
• Knowledge of numerical methods for the solution of partial differential equations.
• Knowledge of mathematical modelling and scientific computing is highly desirable.
• Research experience with Finite Element method is a plus.
• Good programming skills (Fortran/C++/Python).
• Independent, self-motivated, eager to learn and open to communicate and collaborate with peers.
• Excellent command of English, both verbally and in writing. If your mother 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). Proof of English language proficiency certificates older than two years are not accepted.

Fixed-term contract: 4 Years.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2.434 per month in the first year to € 3.111 in the fourth year. 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty 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 depletion, urbanisation and the availability of clean water, conducted  in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced that Open Science helps to achieve our goals 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.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

You will be part of the Pavement Engineering Group in the department of Engineering Structures Engineering at the CEG Faculty. Our Pavement Engineering Group pursues ground-breaking research in durable and sustainable bituminous materials and pavements, low-noise pavement surfaces, (epoxy-, rubber-, polymer-) modified pavements, (in-situ) rejuvenation technologies, and asphalt reuse and recycling. The education and research program of the Pavement Engineering Group focuses on the characterization of pavement materials at various scales, using both experiments and numerical models. The Group is equipped with state-of-the-art experimental and parallel computing facilities. The experimental facilities cover all material scales, from chemical and nano-scale techniques up to full-scale testing.