In recent years, circular economy has received increasing attention worldwide, aiming to minimise the use of raw materials, increase resource efficiency, produce less waste for landfilling and incineration, and lower greenhouse emissions. The Netherlands aims to become a circular society by 2050. For the construction industry, this ambitious goal necessitates a major transition involving multidisciplinary challenges and the need for close collaboration between policymakers, industry, and research institutes. Circularity in road infrastructure is of paramount importance as roads are of crucial importance to the Dutch economy. In the coming period, the demand for road infrastructure will increase due to the growing population, while current road infrastructure is aging, and climate change-related events further aggravate long-term performance.

This tenure track in Circular Roads focuses on enhancing the circular use of road paving materials by addressing the link between material properties and durability, high-value material processing and production technologies, and end-of-life strategies (i.e. repair, reuse, recycling). Aspects such as process control, quality-assurance specifications and labelling of materials for better recycling and circularity, modification of existing processing units to allow for material reuse, and environmental risks and uncertainties related to the processing and production of circular materials will be part of the focus areas.

This tenure track position is open in the Pavement Engineering group within the Department of Engineering Structures in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at TU Delft. This position is offered under a collaborative scheme between the department of Engineering Structures (ES) and the department of Mechanics, Management & Design (3MD). The successful candidate will work in strong collaboration with the Resources and Recycling group (ES) and the Materials & Environment group (3MD).

The department of Engineering Structures focuses on the design, mechanics, materials, and construction of resilient, smart and sustainable structures and infrastructures as well as on the structures for energy transition. Within these main themes research is carried out into the dynamics of structures, mechanics of materials related to e.g. climate change, multi-scale characterization and modelling of pavement materials and structures, reuse of materials, structures and parts of structures, assessment methods for structures, smart monitoring techniques, design methods, replacement and renovation of civil infrastructure and development of new materials and maintenance techniques. The groups are using the Macro-mechanic Laboratory (Stevinlab 2) for micro-scale to full scale testing, monitoring and modelling of structures to facilitate implementation of innovations. The department delivers a large number of courses both at the BSc and MSc level.

The Pavement Engineering group has extensive experience in advanced modelling and testing in the areas of material/pavement durability, alternative paving materials, (in-situ) rejuvenation technologies, and asphalt recycling. The Resources & Recycling group (ES) creates breakthroughs in recycling by applying fundamental science into innovative processes and implementing them in collaborations with industry to support the raw material supply of Europe by innovations and education in recycling technology. The group Materials & Environment (3MD) is focused on the development of new materials such as self-healing materials, self-sensing materials and manufactured materials (3D printing).

We are looking for a colleague who has the dedication to pursue an academic career. You have a background in material science and/or process engineering and/or structural engineering with a strong affinity for and experience in multidisciplinary research, modelling and optimization.

You have a scientific track record and are able to give a firm scientific contribution to the field of sustainable and circular pavement engineering through publishing in peer-reviewed journals and acquiring funding for research (industry, EU and NWO).

The candidate should have excellent communicative skills to build a network that transgresses over traditional boundaries in civil engineering disciplines and between academic institutes, industry, and policymaking. A significant contribution to teaching at the MSc and BSc levels is also envisaged.

Furthermore:

• PhD in Civil Engineering, Material Science & Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• A track record in research, visible through high-quality publications and successful grant applications and the ambition and ability to develop a leading research line.
• Demonstrable affinity with sustainable and circular system design.
• Affinity and experience with teaching and development of academic education (at bachelor and master levels).
• Good organisational and communication skills.
• Excellent skills in spoken and written English. International applicants are encouraged to acquire knowledge of Dutch.

Fixed-term contract: 6 years.

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation.

You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount 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. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

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 as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Civil Engineering and 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 availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science 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.