PhDMaterials engineering
| Study location | Lithuania, Vilnius, On Campus |
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| Academic field | Materials Science 06.7 (ISCED 5821) Materials science (JACS F200) |
| Type | Doctoral, full-time |
| Nominal duration | 4 years (30 ECTS) |
| Study language | English |
| Awards | PhD (PhD candidate position in The investigation of the structure, properties, and conversion resistance of calcium aluminates with nano-, micro- and hybrid additives.) |
| Course code | Material engineering T008 |
| Tuition fee | €12,449 per year Part-time studies (6-year) 8 229,00 |
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| Application fee | €100 one-time |
| Entry qualification | Postgraduate diploma (or higher) The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original. You must take verified copies of the entry qualification documents along with you when you finally go to the university. |
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| Language requirements | English International applicants to whom English is not a native language need to provide a proof of their English language proficiency. Exceptions are made only for applicants who have completed their previous studies fully in English. One of the following is accepted: |
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| Other requirements | At least 2 reference(s) must be provided. References should be by the academics from Civil or Materials engineering field A relevant portfolio is required. Please upload your research proposal including the abstract, literature review, research objectives, research questions, methodology and bibliography. - Certified copies of the Master’s degree diploma and its supplement with grades or higher education equivalent to it; |
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| More information |
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Overview
PhD candidate position in The investigation of the structure, properties, and conversion resistance of calcium aluminates with nano-, micro- and hybrid additives.
Open application for a doctoral candidate in the field of Materials engineering
The doctoral candidate position is available in the Civil Engineering Faculty of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Institute of Building Materials. Applicants interested in other research topics related to cementitious calcium aluminates-based composites are also welcome to apply.
Research topic description
Subject “The investigation on the structure, properties, and conversion resistance of calcium aluminates with nano-, micro- and hybrid additives”.
Calcium aluminate cement (CAC) are specialized inorganic cement widely used in the refractory industry (monolithics), non-structural building chemistry applications with short return-to-service delays, and other harsh environments where resistance to sulfate attack, seawater, carbon monoxide, and methane is essential. CACs are also valued for their high reactivity, rapid setting time, fast mechanical strength development, and ability to set at low temperatures, which make them ideal for emergency repairs, foundation construction, fast-track projects in cold weather, infrastructures exposed to sulfate attack, and monolithic refractory linings for high-temperature applications.
However, the unavoidable conversion of metastable hydrates (CAH10 and C2AH8) into the stable form (C3AH6) in non-modified environments results in increased porosity, a significant loss of composite strength, and explosive spalling. Therefore, investigating the conversion reaction mechanism and developing methods to prevent it is crucial for advancing both the fundamental understanding of cementitious materials and their practical engineering applications. To address this, CAC must be combined with supplementary cementitious materials, micro-, nano-, and hybrid admixtures to effectively prevent the formation of metastable hydrates or stabilize the metastable phases, thereby eliminating the conversion issue.
Historically and in the future, CAC-based concrete is expected to have significant applications in areas such as bridge widening (due to rapid hardening), dam flushing gates (for abrasion resistance), foundry floors (for abrasion and thermal shock resistance), cryogenic facilities (thermal shock and freeze-thaw resistance), sewers (resistance to bacteriogenic acid corrosion), and fire training buildings (resistance to thermal shock).
The selected candidate will work on the PhD thesis under the supervision of Dr Renata Boris. The successful applicant will have to attend scientific conferences, meetings and internships at the other universities.
Requirements
• Required background: Master’s degree in the Scientific Field of Materials Engineering; knowledge in: cement chemistry, the hydration process, hydrates stabilization, the mechanism of the influence of micro- and nano-additives on cement hydration, determination of main properties of cementitious composite.
• Expected skills and knowledge: Available experience (publication, presentation, report) in planning and conducting investigations on cementitious composites (concretes, castables). Applying must include a 1-2 page report based on obtained results via scientific work and propositions for the novel investigations.
It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.
For more information
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. The position may not be opened if no qualified candidate is found. Additional information regarding the post may be obtained from Dr. Renata Boris, e-mail: renata.boris@vilniustech.lt.
Programme structure
The PhD programme consists of:
· Independent research under supervision;
· Courses for PhD students (approximately 30 ECTS credits);
· Participation in research networks, including placements at other, primarily foreign, research institutions;
· Teaching or another form of knowledge dissemination, which is related to the PhD topic when possible;
· The completion of a PhD thesis.
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