Background
Partnering with the University of Bath, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), France, and led by the University of Malaga (UMA), we have formed a consortium, X-SeeO2, that has been selected by the EIC under the Pathfinder “Cement as Carbon Sinks" Challenge call to receive €4 million in funding. The Challenge seeks to support breakthrough innovations and (alternative) pathways for decarbonized and carbon-negative cement and concrete while maintaining its structural integrity and durability. This is important because cement and concrete technologies contribute around 8% of our CO2 emissions (about 600 kg per capita), which are “embodied” in our buildings and infrastructures.
Our 'X-SeeO2' project has been selected as a key 'enabling technology'. This means that the micro-computed tomography (microCT) analysis methods that reveal the 3D structure and evolution of microstructure of concrete non-destructively will be developed within the National X-ray Computed Tomography facility (NXCT) located in the Royce Institute at Manchester and at the ESRF. This capability will then be made available to other innovation research teams funded by the “Cement as Carbon Sinks" Challenge to accelerate and improve the products and technologies they develop.
The successful candidate will help to develop protocols for imaging, characterizing and quantifying the various cement phases as well as the porosity (volume fraction, pore size, connectivity etc) using lab and synchrotron X-ray CT as well as developing new characterization modalities. In addition the researcher will liaise with, and support, the time resolved characterisation of low carbon cements of other teams within the Pathfinder challenge. The successful applicant will be based in Manchester but also make trips to the ESRF in Grenoble as well as to our collaborators in Malaga and Bath. Others within the group will develop in situ rigs for studying the kinetics of the hydration and carbonation reactions (ex-situ and in-situ) by laboratory and synchrotron powder diffraction (for crystalline component time-evolution) and laboratory and synchrotron computer tomography (for microstructure time-evolution, including carbonate-shrinkage). The diffraction studies will be carried out by other X-SeeO2 staff.
Overall Purpose of the Job
The successful candidate will carry out X-ray imaging/tomographic research on cementitious materials, with the focus being the carbonation processes. The team at the ESRF will develop an in-situ carbonation cell under moderate CO2 pressures. The researcher will develop 3D image analysis protocols to characterise cement microstructural development and apply them to undertake time resolved and ex-situ studies of cementitious materials within the Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility (which leads the National Facility for Lab. X-ray CT (nxct.ac.uk)) in Manchester, which is one of the most extensive suites of CT scanners in Europe. They will also undertake and support some experiments at the ESRF.
The post holder will be located at the University of Manchester but will be expected to carry out some experiments at the ESRF and to travel to the collaborators to attend meetings.
The successful applicant will be expected to show a high level of initiative. To have experience of X-ray computed tomography and the analysis of the resulting 3D images. They should enjoy being part of an international team and look forwards to working with researchers from across the Challenge program in Europe. They should be confident in presenting the outcomes of our research to consortium members and more widely as well be able to contribute to journal papers and periodic reporting.
As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
What you will get in return:
Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here
Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Prof. Philip Withers
Email: p.j.withers@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.
