PhD in chemical admixture formulation for ultra-green concrete in Zürich

The  has one opening for a PhD position in chemical admixtures for sustainable concrete. This PhDs is part of an Ambizione project led by Dr Franco Zunino and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Chemical admixtures are organic compounds, which when added in small amounts in concrete can profoundly modify key properties such as rheology and hydration kinetics. While already playing an essential role around the world in modern concrete, they are called upon to play an even greater one in low-carbon concrete. The SNSF Ambizione project aims to develop novel admixture formulations to enable low-carbon cement incorporating high amounts of supplementary cementitious materials (>50%) to be used in low-binder concrete formulations, enabling substantial CO2 savings. Such binders may be referred to as ultra-green cement and are seen as representing alternatives that could be easily, rapidly and extensively taken up by industry.

You will be directed by Dr Franco Zunino and co-supervised by Prof. Robert Flatt, interacting and collaborating with other PhD students working on related subjects and engaging in active and continuous feedback to the other team members of the project and the group at ETH. Thus, good communication skills and willingness to collaborate with other researchers are essential.

For this PhD position, you should hold a chemical engineering, materials science or civil engineering degree. You will be preferred if you have experience in at least one of the following topics: Mineral binders, colloidal science, ceramic processing, materials chemistry, and rheology of particulate suspensions.

Good experimental skills are a must. An excellent oral and written level in English is essential. Conversational knowledge of German is an advantage, but the desire to learn it is a must.

The Chair of Physical Chemistry of Building Materials within the Institute for Building Materials offers many chances for jump-starting an academic or industrial research career in cement and concrete technology, with a strong basis in materials chemistry and rheology. Our highly diverse and international group also offers many networking opportunities through academic societies such as RILEM, industry connections, as well as internal ETH connections. We are committed to diversity by allowing flexibility in working hours, home office, and other measures to ensure team members can adequately perform their roles.

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.