Research Associate in Low-Carbon Construction Materials

South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London

Fixed term for 18 months

Job Summary

Applications are encouraged for a Research Associate position to work on a two-year research project that strives to develop low-carbon sustainable cementitious materials and construction products from magnesium silicates, via a new carbon mineralisation / CCUS technology developed at Imperial College London. The outputs of this novel technology are an amorphous precipitated silica supplementary cementitious material (SCM) and sequestered CO­₂ in the form of magnesium carbonate. The technology is to be commercialised through Imperial spin-out, Seratech (https://seratechcement.com/).

Duties and responsibilities

This post will assist in developing two product streams: i) a composite cement incorporating the silica SCM to produce carbon-neutral concrete, and ii) a range of construction products (e.g., bricks, blocks, boards) derived from the magnesium carbonate. For each stream, you will investigate the optimum processing conditions, characterise the properties of the products and carry out performance testing to achieve certification to relevant standards. The research will require the use of advanced experimental techniques to study reaction kinetics, phase assemblage, pore structure, mass transport and durability for a range of mix compositions and exposure conditions. Data will be used to acquire a complete understanding of system chemistries, optimise products for commercial use and develop comprehensive life-cycle assessments and environmental product declarations.

The project will require regular contributions to a variety of academic tasks, including project management, supervision of Masters and PhD students, and demonstrating research excellence and leadership to junior members of the Seratech research group. There will also be some commercial-focused tasks including communicating with internal and external collaborators to guide product development, writing research proposals and developing IP.

You will collaborate initially with four postdocs and one PhD student also working on the project, and the team is anticipated to grow throughout the project. They will thus receive strong mentoring in a highly stimulating academic research environment, with access to internationally leading academics, industrial partners, research facilities, and networks.

Essential requirements

• Hold a PhD in engineering, science or a closely related field, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience.
• Experience of low-carbon cements and supplementary cementitious materials
• Basic understanding of material properties
• Ability to communicate effectively via presentations and written publications
• Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative

Further Information

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Professor Hong Wong on  hong.wong@imperial.ac.uk.

Further information is available in the job description.

Any queries regarding the application process should be addressed to Briony Webb at b.webb@imperial.ac.uk.

For technical issues when applying online please email support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk.

Closing Date: 3 March 2023.

To apply, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search by the job reference ENG02493.

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