PhD Position in Civil Engineering

The University | About us...

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University's faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its "international outlook," #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) contributes multidisciplinary expertise in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences and Medicine. Through its dual mission of teaching and research, the FSTM seeks to generate and disseminate knowledge and train new generations of responsible citizens, in order to better understand, explain and advance society and environment we live in.

The Department of Engineering (DoE) is a multidisciplinary department within the Faculty of Sciences, Technology, and Medicine. The Department of Engineering covers a wide range of engineering fields, including civil, electrical, mechanical engineering, and geophysics. Its primary objective is to develop technological solutions and promote sustainable and economical resource utilization. The Department aims to provide the necessary expertise to meet the technological demands of Luxembourg and the Greater Region's industrial and public sectors. One notable aspect of the Department's research focus is the utilization of numerical simulation techniques and their validation.

Overall, the DoE is committed to advancing engineering knowledge and promoting the application of technology in a manner that aligns with sustainability, resource efficiency, and the needs of industrial and public actors in the region.

The University of Luxembourg (Uni.lu) is seeking to hire a Doctoral candidate (PhD student) within the Department of Engineering of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Markus Schäfer in the field of Civil Engineering.

Your Role...

The successful candidate will join a strong and motivated research team to pursue the PhD degree in Civil Engineering and work on the topics:

• Sustainability in Construction - Investigate in Buildings as Material Banks and develop strategies for recycling of construction materials with focus on concrete and steel
• Development of digital twins for buildings including construction materials up to End of Life
• Analysis and digital visualisation of the demolition process, demolition methodologies and strategies
• Mapping of the material flow and explore the value chains for the recycling processes to understand national availabilities and possible cross-border interaction
• Assessment for recycling processes with focus on steel and concrete for different locations within the Greater Region Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Germany
• Cooperation with project partners, local industry, and stakeholders to identify particularities for the recycling process and to understand the difficulties and chances
• Comparison of available European and national standards and guidelines for the application of recycled aggregates and recycled aggregate concrete for structural application
• Development of quality requirements and guidelines to ensure the quality of recycled aggregates
• Investigation for a recycling strategy
• Carrying out research in the predefined areas
• Participating in research proposal drafting and project deliverables
• Disseminating results through scientific publications, conference presentations and workshops
• Assisting in organization of relevant workshops and demos
• Participate in the research, education, and training activities: Bachelor, Master, and PhD programs

What we expect from you…

Qualification: The candidate must possess a Master of Science (MSc) degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering.

Experience: The ideal candidate should have knowledge and motivation in a number of the following topics:

• Experience with CAD modelling software, e.g., Autodesk, Inventor
• Very good experience with BIM technology and software, e.g., REVIT, TEKLA
• Good understanding of structural materials, concrete, aggregates, recycling aggregate concrete, steel and familiar with the relevant standards for testing and evaluation
• Knowledge about construction and demolition processes as well as value chain analysis
• Very good skills to create charts, diagrams and graphics
• Very good oral and written competences in English are mandatory; good competences in French language are required, German, and/or Luxembourgish is a plus
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team

How to apply...

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter

We ensure a full consideration for applications received by 24 April 2024. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Employee and student status
• Location: Kirchberg
• Job Reference: UOL06375

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 40952 (full time)

For more information and details about proposed research topics, please contact Professor M. Schäfer ().