Windmill blade waste is a growing concern worldwide, as it set to account for more than 40 million tons in 2050. Currently, the recycling options are limited, with low-grade applications or incineration/landfill, because of the complex composition of this waste. However, this polymer composite waste has value due to mineral and polymeric fibers (e.g. glass, carbon, aramid), indicating that they could be cost-effective in producing building materials for high-end applications. The main objective of this project is to develop cementitious products, such as concrete, using various types of windmill blade waste, in collaboration with industries and universities in Europe, within the Horizon 2020 EU project 'Blades2Build'.

The candidate will join the Building Materials group which contains 25 PhDs, 1 postdoc, 3 assistant professors, 1 associate professor, and 2 full professors. This research group works on new, sustainable, and circular building materials containing or synthesized from secondary raw materials with good chemical, physical and aesthetic properties, and added functionalities. Examples are natural fibers, fly ashes, nano-silica, aerogels, slags or recycled aggregates. Functionalities, including fire resistance, air purification, self-cleaning, high performance, and hydrophobicity, are investigated and developed for these building materials. Moreover, durability and sustainability, such as the degradation of, or leaching from, building materials when exposed to aggressive service environments, are studied. The investigations are carried out based on experimental observations and modeling.

The research group possesses a well-equipped, state-of-the-art building material laboratory for physical/chemical/mechanical/environmental treatment and testing, and has access to the structural design laboratory at the same department, and shares facilities with the sister Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. The group has close contacts with the building material industry and frequently cooperating with other researchers, both domestic and international.

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Engineering (civil, mechanical…).
• Knowledge about cementitious materials, fiber-reinforced polymer and circularity.
• Experience with material processing and characterization.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interest in collaborating with international industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 27 (min. €2,541 max. €3,247).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.