PhD Scholarship: Bio-Cemented Mineral Composites for Building Applications

• 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.
• You meet the admission requirements of the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School: https://admin.kuleuven.be/rd/doctoraatsreglement/en/phdregulation-set

The construction industry is increasingly exploring biological approaches to produce more sustainable materials. However, current methods often utilise 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 materials engineering to create programmable biomineral composites.

You will carry out research within Work Package 2: Material Formulation, Bio-Fabrication and Characterisation. Your work will focus on designing porous mineral scaffolds and binder-precursor systems that support controlled bacterial colonisation, as well as calcium carbonate and silica mineralisation, while achieving the required processing, microstructural, and engineering properties. The research will progress from well-defined model minerals to recycled and secondary mineral resources, with support from the supervisors and the wider project consortium.

As part of this scholarship, you will take on 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.

The Department of Civil Engineering at KU Leuven is one of the leading research and educational environments in the field of engineering. Researchers, academic staff, and students work together to develop innovative solutions that prepare our built and natural environments for the challenges of tomorrow, ranging from sustainable buildings, infrastructure, and construction materials to water management and climate adaptation. Within an international and dynamic environment, societal impact is central. By combining groundbreaking research with high-quality education, the department actively contributes to a more sustainable and resilient society. The Department of Civil Engineering is part of the Science and Technology Group. This PhD project will be jointly supervised by Prof. Özlem Cizer and Prof. Ruben Snellings at KU Leuven. The Sustainable Construction Materials for Durable Structures research team, led by Prof. Cizer, contributes expertise in carbonation and biocementation mechanisms, porous material microstructure, and performance assessment. The Applied Mineralogy group, led by Prof. Snellings, contributes expertise in low-carbon mineral binders, precursor reactivity, mineral carbonation, and advanced mineralogical characterisation. The researcher will be embedded within a broader interdisciplinary consortium and will collaborate with teams specialising in synthetic microbiology, microstructure-scale modelling, and architectural biofabrication. The participating laboratories provide advanced facilities for mineral processing, material characterisation, and cement and concrete testing.

• 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).
• Many KU Leuven benefits, including complimentary hospilisation insurance, additional support with the costs of commuting and access to university infrastructure and sports facilities.