PhD position on Bio-Cemented Mineral Composites for Building Applications

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Department Department of Civil Engineering Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 30 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 18 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number BAP-2026-561 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The construction industry is increasingly exploring biological routes for producing more sustainable materials. However, current approaches often use enzymes or microorganisms as passive additives rather than as programmable components. The E.CoLith project – Bacterially Engineered Concrete Lithification aims to develop a new generation of biomineral composites by integrating synthetic microbiology, concrete chemistry, mineralogy and material engineering to develop programmable biomineral composites.

You will perform research tasks in Work Package 2: Material Formulation, Bio-Fabrication & Characterization. Your task will focus on designing porous mineral scaffolds and binder-precursor systems that support controlled bacterial colonization, and calcium carbonate and silica mineralization, while achieving relevant processing, microstructural and engineering properties. The work will progress from well-defined model minerals to recycled and secondary mineral resources with the support of the supervisors and project consortium.

The position includes the following responsibilities and tasks:

• Conduct research activities within the scope of the E.CoLith project.
• Collaborate closely with the other researchers in synthetic microbiology, modelling and living-material architecture.
• Participate actively in the Materials and Constructions group and the wider E.CoLith consortium.
• Complete the doctoral training programme of the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School through publications, conference participation and coursework, and contribute to supervision and limited teaching activities related to the research.
• You hold a Master’s degree with strong academic performance in Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering or Materials Science, Geology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Chemistry or Applied Chemistry, or a closely related discipline. Final-year Master’s students may apply if they obtain the degree before appointment.
• You have a strong background in at least one relevant area, such as mineral-based materials, cement chemistry, mineralogy, crystallization, porous materials, biomineralization or biofabrication.
• You have demonstrated research and experimental skills, for example through your Master’s thesis.
• Experience with one or more of the following is an asset: X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, microscopy, spectroscopy, pore-structure characterization, geochemistry.
• You are interested in interdisciplinary research at the interface of materials science and microbiology and are motivated to acquire complementary expertise. Prior expertise in both microbiology and construction materials is not required.
• You are highly motivated, analytical, creative and careful in laboratory work. You can work independently and contribute effectively to a multidisciplinary team.
• You have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• A full-time doctoral scholarship for four years, subject to positive evaluation, and a PhD degree in Engineering Science upon successful completion.
• Joint supervision by the Sustainable Construction Materials and Applied Mineralogy research groups.
• An interdisciplinary research environment combining materials engineering, concrete and mineral chemistry, synthetic microbiology, modelling and biofabrication.
• Access to advanced facilities for mineral processing, material fabrication, microbial experimentation and multiscale characterization.
• Opportunities for research activities and interdisciplinary training across the participating laboratories.
• Participation in international conferences, doctoral training, scientific publications and the wider E.CoLith research network.
• A stimulating and international work environment at KU Leuven, with a workplace at the Department of Civil Engineering in Heverlee (Leuven).
• KU Leuven benefits, including health insurance and access to university infrastructure and sports facilities.

The preferred starting date is January 2027. A mutually agreed starting date may be possible.

• A full-time doctoral scholarship for four years, subject to positive evaluation, and a PhD degree in Engineering Science upon successful completion.
• Joint supervision by the Sustainable Construction Materials and Applied Mineralogy research groups.