Job opportunities   [University of Málaga promotes gender equality, diversity and inclusion]

Postdoctoral open position(s):

syn4cem will allow the incorporation of three highly motivated postdoctoral researchers into our research group.

Postdoc #1 will mainly work in further tailoring 4D near-field X-ray ptychographic nano-imaging to cement hydration. The successful candidate must have a strong background in X-ray synchrotron imaging (not necessarily in cement hydration). Very good programming capabilities are expected. The background should be proven with high quality scientific publications. It is expected to contribute/lead in: (i) synchrotron beamtime proposals, (ii) synchrotron X-ray imaging data acquisition including in situ hydration, (iii) data analysis including nanoimaging details and segmentation using advanced Machine Learning approaches, and (iv) writing drafts of the corresponding scientific publications. It is also expected to co-supervise one PhD student.
Week stays at synchrotrons are required for carrying out the X-ray imaging experiments. Moreover, it is also expected 2-3 month stays at synchrotrons (or related Facilities) for tailoring the technique and data analysis procedures.

Postdoc #2 will mainly work in full-field X-ray micro- and nano-imaging of cement hydration. The two main techniques to be tailored to cement requirements are: (i) holo nano-tomography; and (ii) phase contrast micro-tomography (Paganin and iterative phase retrievals). The successful candidate must have a strong background in X-ray synchrotron imaging (not necessarily in cement hydration). Very good programming capabilities are also expected. The background should be proven with high-quality scientific publications. It is expected to contribute/lead in: (i) synchrotron beamtime proposals, (ii) synchrotron X-ray imaging data acquisition including in situ hydration, (iii) data analysis including nanoimaging details and segmentation using advanced Machine Learning approaches, and (iv) writing drafts of the corresponding scientific publications.  It is also expected to co-supervise one PhD student.
Week stays at synchrotrons are required for carrying out the X-ray imaging experiments. Moreover, it is also expected 2-3 month stays at synchrotrons (or related Facilities) for tailoring the techniques and data analysis procedures.

Postdoc #3 will mainly work in 4D laboratory X-ray micro-tomography of cement hydration and other cement hydration characterization techniques (isothermal calorimetry, in situ powder diffraction, ultrasonic measurements, etc.). The successful candidate must have a strong background in cement hydration. X-ray imaging experience is a very strong asset. The background should be proven with high quality scientific publications. It is expected to contribute/lead in: (i) basic cement hydration characterization , (ii) laboratory X-ray microtomography including in situ hydration, (iii) data analysis, and (iv) writing drafts of the corresponding scientific publications.  It is also expected to co-supervise one PhD student.
Week stays at synchrotrons are required for carrying out the X-ray imaging experiments. No long stays are initially planned for this position but they could be considered depending upon the successful candidate.

These investigations aim to tailor cement hydration nanoimaging to attain a spacial resolution of 100 nm with a total acquisition time faster than one and a half hour. The tomograms must have very good electron density contrast to be able to classify the different hydration components.

The postdoc contracts will be for 4.5 years and they will earn a gross salary of 50.0 k€/yr. This figure includes the social contributions of the employer and the employee. This number is about 10% higher than a Ramon y Cajal researcher (the top Spanish research position before becoming permanent). This will allow a very good living standard in the relatively cost-effective sunny city of Málaga.

If you are interested, fulfil the requirements and are an ambitious young bright mind, please contact me at g_aranda@uma.es [with syn4cem in the subject. Hence, I will not miss it].

PhD open position(s):

syn4cem will allow the incorporation of three highly motivated Early Stage Researchers (i.e. PhD students) into our research group.

PhD student #1 will mainly work in single-phase hydration like alite, yeelimite and tricalciumaluminate. We will use synchrotron X-ray micro and nanoimaging to study/understand the acceleration and deceleration stages. The role of water/cement mass ratio and admixtures like alkanolamines and C-S-H nucleation seeding will be investigated. The postdocs will help in this endeavor.  The background should be in materials science or related disciplines with an excellent academic record including a finished master at the time of signing the contract (early 2025). Experience in cement (preferably Portland cement) hydration is a very important asset but not a strict requirement. A good English knowledge is needed.
Week stays at synchrotrons are required for carrying out the X-ray imaging experiments. Long stays are possible and they will be decided in due time.

PhD student #2 will mainly work in Portland cement (PC) hydration. We will use synchrotron X-ray micro and nanoimaging to study/understand the acceleration and deceleration stages. The role of water/cement mass ratio and admixtures like alkanolamines and C-S-H nucleation seeding will be investigated. The postdocs will help in this endeavor. The background should be in materials science or related disciplines with an excellent academic record including a finished master at the time of signing the contract (early 2025). Experience in cement (preferably Portland cement) hydration is a very important asset but not a strict requirement. A good English knowledge is needed.
Week stays at synchrotrons are required for carrying out the X-ray imaging experiments. Long stays are possible and they will be decided in due time.

PhD student #3 will mainly work in PC-SCMs blend hydration [SCM= supplementary cementitious materials]. The SCMs will be: (i) a mixture of kaolinitic calcined clays, limestone and gypsum, or (ii) natural puzzolans, in some cases with additional limestone. We will use synchrotron X-ray micro and nanoimaging to study/understand the acceleration and deceleration stages. The role of water/cement mass ratio and admixtures like alkanolamines and C-S-H nucleation seeding will be investigated. The postdocs will help in this endeavor.  The background should be in materials science or related disciplines with an excellent academic record including a finished master at the time of signing the contract (early 2025). Experience in cement (preferably Portland cement) hydration is a very important asset but not a strict requirement. A good English knowledge is needed.
Week stays at synchrotrons are required for carrying out the X-ray imaging experiments. Long stays are possible and they will be decided in due time.

These investigations aim to mechanistically understand the acceleration-deceleration transition in cement hydration to further accelerate the hydration of low-carbon cements with the right combination of admixtures.

The PhD students contracts will be for 4 years and they will earn a gross salary of 38.0 k€/yr. This figure includes the social contributions of the employer and the employee. This number is about 25% higher than the salary of a FPU PhD studentship (the gold standard for PhD positions in Spain). This will allow a quite good living standard in the relatively cost-effective sunny city of Málaga.

If you are interested, fulfil the requirements and are an ambitious young bright mind, please contact me at g_aranda@uma.es  [with syn4cem in the subject. Hence, I will not miss it].


Master and undergraduate research projects offered:

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