Research Fellow in Alkali-Activated Materials (ENGCV1088)

Are you an outstanding and highly motivated researcher in cementitious materials? Are you looking for a new and exciting challenge as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the field of cement and concrete technology? Do you want to investigate alternative routes of manufacturing the next generation of sustainable cementitious materials?

As part of an exciting EPSRC fellowship research programme, MUSE, led by Dr. Susan A. Bernal, you will investigate alternative manufacturing routes for producing one of the most promising low carbon cementitious materials of our time, known as alkali-activated cements. These Portland clinker-free cements are conventionally manufactured by a chemical reaction between a highly alkaline solution and a reactive aluminosilicate source, producing binders that can be used for production of concretes. 

In an effort to future-proof this technology, this research will centre on the development of different routes for manufacturing alkali-activated cements. This will mainly focus on: (i) modifying the physico-chemical properties of the precursors via advanced comminution processes, (ii) evaluating suitability of different routes to ‘activate’ various precursors by using near-neutral salts or acidic conditions, and (iii) determining if addition of different mineral or inorganic admixtures can improve the reactivity of these systems. Fresh and hardened state properties of these cements, and products produced with them, will be evaluated, as well as their microstructural features and phase assemblages.

Holding a first degree and doctoral degree (or close to completion) in Materials, Civil,Chemical Engineering, or a closely allied discipline, you will have a strongbackground in the materials science of conventional and/or alternative cementitious materials and in determining fresh and hardened state propertiesof cements, mortars and/or concretes.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr. Susan A. Bernal Lopez, University Academic Fellow & EPSRC Early Career Fellow in Cement and Concrete Engineering

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 36729 or email: s.a.bernallopez@leeds.ac.uk

Further information

The Faculty of Engineering is proud to have been awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award from the Equality Challenge Unit, the national body that promotes equality in the higher education sector. Our equality and inclusion webpage provides more information.

Closing Date: 25 Nov 2018
Category: Research