DETOCS JobDescription DC1-15

DETOCS Recruitment Call for PhD Candidates
Industrial Doctorate Opportunities at FLSmidth and Partners
“Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation towards Concrete Sustainability”

DETOCS
FLSmidth, along with other industrial and academic partners, is seeking highly motivated graduate
students to enrol in our newly funded Industrial Doctorate. The project consists of an international,
industrial, doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation towards
Concrete Sustainability” (DETOCS), funded by the Marie Skolodowska-Curie Action of the European
Commission, Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI) and the UK
Research and Innovation fund (UKRI). The programme consists of fifteen international PhD projects
that perform research focused on the decarbonisation of cement and the concrete industry via digital
tools that help to increase the amount of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM) in composite
cement.
DETOCS Project Summary

DETOCS proposes a new approach to rapidly increase the use of SCMs in existing cement production
facilities. The project focuses on exploiting the latest innovations in digital tools to predict and control
the quality of cement and concrete blends with high amounts of SCMs compared to today’s standards.
Our network aims to lay the scientific foundations to create knowledge and new models to study the
production of high-quality SCMs and their impact on low-carbon cement and concrete mixes.
DETOCS’ partners combine top-notch scientific expertise, interdisciplinary know-how, engineering
solutions, and real-world process data into an industry-driven network. The project’s structured
approach combines complementary research for each individual project in the academic and industrial
sectors. The top-level research is accompanied by a balanced mix of the newest scientific courses and
transferable skills training, delivered by each partner locally and in dedicated training schools, seminars,
and workshops at the network level. DETOCS is impact-driven and strives for a portfolio of high-class
joint publications, patents, and innovations along the value chain.
DETOCS PhD projects (DC: doctoral candidate)

• DC1: Accurate prediction of clinker quality and process-related information using a high
temperature thermodynamic approach.
• DC2: Thermal activation of SCMs: Process Models and Quality Prediction.
• DC3: Chemical activation of SCMs via carbonation and admixtures: Quality Prediction.
• DC4: Mechanical activation of SCMs: Process Models and Quality prediction.
• DC5: Quality prediction of low-carbon cement blends.
• DC6: Environmental and technical performance-based design of concrete produced with low
carbon cement.
• DC7: Impact of material variability on concrete performance.
• DC8: Quantifying concrete properties from cement paste scale tests.
• DC9: Soft-sensing & data analytics for in-line measurements in low-carbon cement production.
• DC10: Traceability of concrete materials along the value chain.
• DC11: A machine learning framework to predict low-carbon cement and concrete quality.
• DC12: Drivers and barriers to the end-user adoption of low-carbon cement.
• DC13: Rapid SCM characterisation method based on computer vision.
• DC14: Development of a decentralised production model for production of cementitious binders
from Secondary Raw Materials.
• DC15: Environmental and economic performance of low carbon cement.
The detailed description of each project is available in Annex 1.
DETOCS has received funding from the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the
Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101119929, and complementary funding from the Swiss
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Project Partners
• FLSmidth A/S, Denmark • University of Aberdeen, Scotland
• RWTH Aachen, Germany • Imperial College London, England
• TU Delft, Netherlands • Cementos Argos S.A, Colombia
• ETH Zürich, Switzerland • Centre national de la recherche scientifique, France
• University of Padova, Italy
• EPFL, Switzerland
• Erasmus University Rotterdam,
Netherlands • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
• Statwolf, Ireland • Environmental Coalition on Standards, Belgium
• C2CA Technology B.V., Netherlands • ParticleTech, Denmark
• Mannok Holdings, Ireland
For details on each project partner, please refer to Annex 2.
Application and Selection Process

Applications must be in English and must include: a) CV; b) letter of motivation (max. 1 page), and c)
Bachelor's and Master's degree certificates (please include the transcript of the academic records in
English). In the application, please indicate: a) your nationality; b) countries where you have resided for
the last three years (indicate periods); c) research experience, and d) any additional information, e.g.
awards, internships, and qualifications.
How to apply?
Each applicant may apply to three positions within the DETOCS programme in a single application.
Clearly state the positions you want to apply for in your motivation letter. While the steps described
below provide guidance on how to apply, we kindly ask the applicants to verify the exceptional cases
that require additional application conditions (namely, DC1 and DC15).
Please follow the steps provided below:
1) Send all the requested documentation to detocs@flsmidth.com. Please indicate the three most
relevant positions you want to apply for in the email subject (e.g. “DC1, DC3, and DC5”)
2) Add all the evaluators for your selected positions in cc. to your email:
Wilson R. Leal da Silva, PhD (wld@flsmidth.com)
DC1 Prof. Alexander Pisch, PhD (alexander.pisch@simap.grenoble-inp.fr)
This position also requires the application to be submitted via the link: CNRS_DC1
Prof. Alexander Pisch, PhD (alexander.pisch@simap.grenoble-inp.fr)
DC2 Prof. Marcus C. Bannerman, PhD (m.campbellbannerman@abdn.ac.uk)
Tim Wangler, PhD (wangler@ifb.baug.ethz.ch)
DC3
Prof. Thomas Matschei, PhD (matschei@ibac.rwth-aachen.de)
DC4
DC5
Mark Gilmore (mark.gilmore@mannokbuild.com)
Thomas Petithuguenin (tpetithuguenin@c2ca.tech)
DC6
Abraham Gebremariam, PhD (a.t.gebremariam@tudelft.nl)
DC7
Daniel Duque, PhD (dduque@argos.com.co)
Prof. Karen Scrivener, PhD (karen.scrivener@epfl.ch)
DC8
Thomas Petithuguenin, MSc (tpetithuguenin@c2ca.tech)
Prof. Pierantonio Facco, PhD (pierantonio.facco@unipd.it)

DC9 Prof. Fabrizio Bezzo, PhD (fabrizio.bezzo@unipd.it)
Dr. Francesco Di Maio (f.dimaio@tudelft.nl)
DC10 Daniel Duque, PhD (dduque@argos.com.co)
Thomas Petithuguenin, MSc. (tpetithuguenin@c2ca.tech)
Simone Pampuri, PhD (simone.pampuri@statwolf.com)
DC11 Gian A. Susto, PhD (gianantonio.susto@unipd.it)
Beatriz Calcada Olvera, PhD (calzadaolvera@ihs.nl)
DC12
Joren Verchaeve, PhD (joren.verschaeve@ecostandard.org)
DC13
DC14
Yongli Wu, PhD (y.wu-7@tudelft.nl)
Prof. Rupert J. Meyers, PhD (r.myers@imperial.ac.uk)
DC15 Wilson R. Leal da Silva, PhD (wld@flsmidth.com)
This position also requires the application to be submitted via the link: ICL_PA6116
Important: When applying for more than one position, remember to include all evaluators for
the positions you are interested in applying for in cc. so we can properly process your
application. Also, remember to check the exceptional cases for some of the available positions.
A selection committee will rank eligible applications based on their CVs and merits. The three best
candidates for each position will be invited for an interview in October/November 2023, where the final
candidates will be selected. Applicants with a positive evaluation but not selected are added to a reserve
list to cover eventual future positions and might be contacted later.
Eligibility Criteria – to all applications

We welcome applications from PhD candidates from any country fulfilling the following criteria:
– Eligible candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the
country of their first host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before their
recruitment by the host institution (i.e. the starting date indicated in the employment contract/equivalent
direct contract).
– Eligible candidates shall, at the date of recruitment by the host institution (i.e., the starting date
indicated in the employment contract/equivalent direct contract), be in the first 4 years (full-time
equivalent research experience) of their research careers and not have been awarded a doctoral
degree.
– Eligible candidates must have a Master's degree relevant to the chosen position (including chemical
engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering or physics) or its equivalent that would entitle
them to a doctorate.
– Candidates must have a high proficiency in written and spoken English, which will be assessed with
the motivation letter and interview (note: a complementary condition on proof of English proficiency
applies for DC12. Please refer to the detailed description for details).
Timeline – to all applications

The opening date of the position is 15th September 2023. The deadline for receiving the documents via
email as a single PDF file is 31st October 2023, 17:00:00 CET. Interviews will take place in
October/November 2023. The tentative start of the fellowship is January 2024, though minor delays are
expected – especially in case of VISA processing time in different countries.
ANNEX 1
Detailed DETOCS PhD Project Descriptions
Industrial Doctorate at
Centre national de la recherche scientifique and FLSmidth
“DC1 | Accurate prediction of clinker quality and process related information

using a high temperature thermodynamic approach”
CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique) is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to
enrol in an Industrial Doctorate hosted at the Laboratoire SIMaP at CNRS, France and the Green
Innovation Centre at FLSmidth, Denmark. The project is part of the industrial doctoral training network
entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation towards Concrete Sustainability” (DETOCS),
funded by the Marie Skolodowska-Curie Action of the European Commission.
Scientific Project
The goal is to develop a clinker mineralogy prediction model based on a high temperature
thermodynamic approach and to use these numerical results to evaluate the clinker reactivity in
composite cement. Such a model combines a modern way to predict complex phases in
multicomponent systems via the Calphad approach together with start-of-the-art machine learning
modelling – which ideally also uses cement-making process data as an input.
The specific objectives are: 1) develop a numerical model to predict the clinker mineralogy for a given
chemical composition (major and minor clinker phases). The thermodynamic database can also be
used for process modelling. 2) Develop a blended cement reactivity model based on thermodynamic
hydration modelling, and 3) investigate unexplored composition ranges using machine learning
techniques to detect correlations between clinker mineralogy, specific heat consumption for production,
and cement reactivity.
The project consists of one employment period with one secondment. The first period of 18 months at
CNRS, France, followed by 18 months at FLSmidth in Denmark. During this period, two technical visits
will take place, namely, to Cementos Argos, Colombia and RWTH, Germany.
Position Requirements
We are seeking a highly motived candidate who is passionate about understanding cement chemistry
and thermodynamic modelling using the Calphad approach and cement characterisation techniques.
Additionally, knowledge on cement production process, data analytics, and machine learning models
are desirable. The project will involve both material characterisation (chemistry, physics, thermal
analysis, microscopy) and numerical modelling (high temperature thermodynamics and machine
learning).
Previous experience on some of the above will be highly appreciated. Engineers with a Master’s degree
in Materials Science, Inorganic / Physical Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, as well as individuals
with a quantitative science background in physics or chemistry with a main interest in the future of
cement production are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
– 3-year full-time employment contract (salary according to MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates
and their family status at the time of the recruitment).
– Gaining experience abroad. Full employment period at CNRS, France for 36 months (with 18 months
secondment at FLSmidth, DK) with a doctor degree granted by Grenoble Alpes University.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at Grenoble Alpes University and opportunities for participation in
national and international scientific meetings.
– Enlarged professional network and improved future scientific career perspective in academia and the
private sector.
– Shared research and innovative multidisciplinary and multisectoral training by senior scientists,
experts, and experienced trainers from academia and industry.
– A structured training programme consisting of research-related courses, soft skill courses, targeted
workshops, social events, and networking.

Applications must be in English and should include: a CV, a letter of motivation (one page), Bachelor's
and Master's degree certificates (please include the transcript to English of the academic records). In
the application, please indicate: your nationality, countries where you have resided for the last three
years (indicate periods), research experience, and any additional information, e.g., awards, fellowships,
internships, extracurricular activities, and qualifications.
How to apply?
1. Apply on the CNRS website via the link: CNRS_DC1
a. Full Link:
https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femploi.cnrs.fr%2
FOffres%2FDoctorant%2FUMR5266-ALEPIS-
005%2FDefault.aspx&data=05%7C01%7Cwilson.dasilva%40flsmidth.com%7C440ee3
22dbbc441c048e08dbb4e162cb%7C5a783410682d4564b908bb78d5afb2fe%7C0%7
C0%7C638302652336273181%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAw
MDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C
&sdata=Y7zAlEVt7qF0FHznwWRrXpjUSVYpk2WJdE34m58lY%2FY%3D&reserved=0
2. Send all the requested documentation to detocs@flsmidth.com, indicating the positions you
want to apply for in the email subject (in this case, “DC1”)
candidates will be selected. Applicants with a positive evaluation but not selected will be added to a
reserve list to cover eventual future positions and might be contacted at a later stage.
Industrial Doctorate at FLSmidth,

University of Aberdeen and Centre national de la recherche scientifique
“DC2 | Thermal activation of SCMs: Process Models and Quality prediction”
FLSmidth is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to enrol in an Industrial Doctorate hosted at
the Green Innovation Centre at FLSmidth, Denmark, in collaboration with Laboratoire SIMaP at CNRS
(Centre national de la recherche scientifique), France and the School of Engineering at the University
of Aberdeen, Scotland. The project is part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data
Enabling Transformation and Optimisation towards Concrete Sustainability” (DETOCS), funded by the
Marie Skolodowska-Curie Action of the European Commission.
Scientific Project
The goal is to develop a process model for kilns and calciners. This will integrate a thermodynamic
model for the gas-solid-melt chemical interactions coupled to a heat-transfer model for the thermal
treatment, including flame heating and heat losses to the environment. The chemistry will focus on
activated SCM samples, e.g., calcined clay, which are also to be characterised experimentally to
capture how real process variations influence the material reactivity. This experimental data will help
identify differences between lab-/full-scale thermal activation and illustrate gaps in the model as it
develops. The final step is to investigate how the predicted thermal treatment profile of the solid material
might correlate to material variables to enable integration with existing cement performance predictors.
The specific objectives are to: 1) develop a process model for thermal activation of SCMs, e.g., calcined
clays; 2) experimentally investigate the correlation between real process operation conditions and the
SCM/calcined-clay activity, and 3) correlate the reactivity of thermal-activated SCMs based on their
properties, process data, and clinker interaction.
The project consists of one employment period with two secondments. The first period of 27 months at
FLSmidth in Denmark, followed by 9 months at CNRS in France, and then 9 months at University of
Aberdeen in Scotland. A technical visit to ParticleTech, Denmark, will take place during the project.
We are seeking a highly motived candidate who is passionate about understanding cement chemistry
and thermodynamic models. Additionally, knowledge on cement production process, data analytics,
and machine learning models are desirable. The project will involve both material characterisation
(chemistry, physics, thermal analysis, microscopy) and numerical modelling (high temperature
thermodynamics and machine learning).
Benefits
– Gaining experience abroad. Full employment period at FLSmidth, DK for 36 months (with 9 months
secondment at CNRS, France and University of Aberdeen, Scotland).
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at Grenoble Alpes University and opportunities for participation in
– Enlarged professional network and improved scientific career perspective in academia and industry.

How to apply? Each applicant may apply to three positions within the DETOCS programme in a single
application. Please follow these steps:
1) Send all the requested documentation to detocs@flsmidth.com, indicating the three positions
you want to apply for in the email subject (e.g., “DC11, DC12, and DC13”)
2) For DC13, add the following evaluators in cc.:

• Wilson Ricardo Leal da Silva, PhD (wld@flsmidth.com)
• Alexander Pisch, PhD (alexander.pisch@simap.grenoble-inp.fr)
• Prof. Marcus C. Bannerman, PhD (m.campbellbannerman@abdn.ac.uk)
3) Remember to include additional evaluators in cc. for the other positions you are interested in
applying for (the list of evaluators for each position is available main job description as well as
the specific project description).
ETH Zurich and FLSmidth
“DC3 | Chemical activation of SCMs via carbonation and admixtures”
ETH Zurich is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to enrol in an Industrial Doctorate hosted at
the Physical Chemistry of Building Materials and the Green Innovation Centre at FLSmidth, Denmark.
The project is part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and
Optimisation towards Concrete Sustainability” (DETOCS), funded by the Marie Skolodowska-Curie
Action of the European Commission in collaboration with the Swiss State Secretariat for Education,
Research and Innovation (SERI).
Scientific Project
The project focuses on exploring the use of chemical admixtures and their influence on the properties
of mixes produced with low-carbon cement, as well as developing predictive models for chemically-
activated blended cements – produced with Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM), such as
calcined clay and Recycled Cement Fines (RCF). The prediction model should provide quality estimates
for cement plants to ensure downstream admixture compatibility. For that, the use of ML methods will
be necessary to complement to the proposed predictive models and fundamental characterisation of
SCMs and composite binder systems, helping identify correlations between process & material
parameters with the SCM reactivity.
The specific objectives are: 1) identify the key parameters in SCM composition that impact required
admixture dosages; 2) identify the key parameters in admixture formulation that impact low carbon
cement performance, and 3) provide insights towards the prediction of the SCM reactivity based on
blend and admixture dosage.
The project consists of one employment period with one secondment. The first period of 18 months at
ETH Zurich, France, followed by 18 months at FLSmidth in Denmark. During this period, two technical
visits will take place, namely, to Mannok Cement, Ireland and C2CA Technology B.V., Netherlands.
We are seeking a highly motived candidate who is passionate about understanding the cement
chemistry, hydration kinetics, utilisation of SCMs, and cement characterisation techniques. Additionally,
knowledge on cement production process, data analytics, and machine learning models are desirable.
The project will involve both material characterisation (chemistry, physics, thermal analysis,
microscopy) and numerical modelling (machine learning).
Benefits
– Gaining experience abroad. Full employment period at ETH Zurich, Switzerland for 36 months (with
18 months secondment at FLSmidth, DK) with a doctor degree granted by ETH Zurich.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at ETH Zurich and opportunities for participation in national and
international scientific meetings.
private sector.

years (indicate periods), research experience, any additional information, e.g., awards, fellowships,
How to apply?
Please follow these steps:
2) In addition, please send a copy of your application to the following contacts:
• Tim Wangler, PhD (wangler@ifb.baug.ethz.ch)
RWTH Aachen University and FLSmidth
“DC4 | Mechanical activation of SCMs: Process Models and Quality Prediction”
RWTH is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to enrol in an Industrial Doctorate hosted at the
Department of Building Materials at RWTH, Germany, and the Green Innovation Centre at FLSmidth,
Denmark. The project is part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling
Transformation and Optimisation towards Concrete Sustainability” (DETOCS), funded by the Marie
Skolodowska-Curie Action of the European Commission.
Scientific Project
The goal is to integrate a novel, data-driven, application-based testing regime in cement plants to
enable the optimisation of mechanical processing parameters for SCMs.
The specific objectives are: 1) identify the key material properties driving the reactivity of mechanically
activated SCMs; 2) identify the key process parameters driving the final quality of mechanically
activated SCMs; 3) predict the SCM performance based on process parameters and SCM material
properties, and 4) validate the SCM reactivity based on an application-based test method.
The project consists of two employment periods. The first period of 18 months at FLSmidth in Denmark,
followed by 18 months at RWTH in Germany. During the first period, two technical visits will take place,
namely to ParticleTech, Denmark, and Cementos Argos, Colombia.
We are seeking a highly motived candidate who is passionate about understanding cement production
and chemistry, techniques to evaluate cement quality, utilisation of SCMs in cement, grinding
technologies, and numerical modelling. The project will involve material characterisation (chemistry,
physics, thermal analysis, microscopy), cement hydration, Supplementary Cementitious Materials,
numerical modelling (chemical reactions and kinetic modelling), and collection of process data to
simulate the effect of grinding on SCMs reactivity in composite cement.
Previous experience on some of the above will be highly appreciated. Engineers with a Master’s in Civil
Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, as well as individuals with a
quantitative science background in physics or chemistry with a main interest in the future of cement
production are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
– Gaining experience abroad. First employment period at FLSmidth, DK for 18 months, second at
RWTH, DE for 18 months.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at RWTH and participation in national / international scientific
meetings.
private sector.

How to apply?
• Prof. Thomas Matschei, PhD (matschei@ibac.rwth-aachen.de)
• Wilson R. Leal da Silva, PhD (wld@flsmidth.com)
RWTH Aachen and Mannok Cement
“DC5 | Quality prediction of low-carbon cement blends”

Department of Building Materials at RWTH, Germany and Mannok Cement, Ireland. The project is part
of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation
towards Concrete Sustainability” (DETOCS), funded by the Marie Skolodowska-Curie Action of the
European Commission.
Scientific Project
The project targets the use of first-principle approaches based on thermodynamic methods coupled to
standard cement characterisation methods to obtain a predictive model that enables optimum cement
design based on modelled key performance indicators. This can be related to the quality control data
from the binder, enabling a faster prediction of the performance of low carbon cements. Ultimately, the
goal is to provide a custom optimisation method for the mix design of blended cements.
The specific objectives are: 1) integration of predictive models to estimate the performance of the final
cement blend; 2) development of pragmatic test methods (rapid test) to verify the quality of cement
blends, and 3) provision of custom optimisation of the mix design of blended cements as a function of
clinker mineralogy and SCM reactivity.
The project consists of two employment periods. The first period of 18 months at RWTH, Germany,
followed by 18 months at Mannok Cement, Ireland. During this period, two technical visits will take
place, i.e., to CNRS, France, and Statwolf, Ireland.
We are seeking a highly motived candidate who is passionate about understanding cement chemistry,
hydration kinetics, utilisation of SCMs, cement characterisation techniques, and concrete technology.
Additionally, knowledge on concrete production processes, data analytics, and machine learning
models are desirable.
The project will involve both material characterisation (thermal analysis, microscopy) and numerical
modelling (machine learning). Previous experience on some of the above will be highly appreciated.
Engineers with a Master’s degree in Materials Science, Inorganic / Physical Chemistry or Chemical
Engineering, as well as individuals with a quantitative science background in physics or chemistry with
a main interest in the future of cement production are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
– Gaining experience abroad. First employment period at RWTH Aachen, DE, for 18 months, and a
second employment period at Mannok Cement, IR, for 18 months. In this period, short technical visits
to CNRS, FR, and Statwolf, IR, are planned.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at RWTH Aachen and opportunities for participation in national and

How to apply?
• Mark Gilmore (mark.gilmore@mannokbuild.com)
RWTH Aachen University and C2CA Technology B.V.
“DC6 | Environmental and technical performance-based design of

concrete produced with low carbon cement”
C2CA Technology B.V. is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to enrol in an Industrial Doctorate
hosted in collaboration with the Department of Building Materials at RWTH, Germany. The project is
part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation
towards Concrete Sustainability” (DETOCS), funded by the Marie Skolodowska-Curie Action of the
European Commission.
Scientific Project
The project focuses on developing a novel, quicker-yet-still-reliable, and more general approach to
assessing mechanical and durability performance of concrete mix designs using thermodynamic
modelling and simplified first principle models for deterioration mechanisms. The latter will be based on
theoretical physical mechanisms of concrete deterioration. The project comprises of DC6 in two stages:
numerical modelling and experimental validation on concrete mixes. The key innovation in DC6 lays in
development and validation of a streamlined form of physical modelling that is applicable to many
concrete types and indicates performance reliably.
The specific objectives include: 1) development of a streamlined physical models to predict key early
(strength development) and late age performance (resistance to concrete deterioration) of concrete, for
concrete produced with very low carbon cement (e.g., using Recycled Cement Fines as SCMs); 2)
integration of the numerical model with environmental life cycle assessment and data obtained from
industrial plants; 3) application of the method to predict optimal concrete mixes based on locally
available materials, and 4) validation of the model predictions using data from laboratory experiments
and industrial plants.
The project consists of one employment period at C2CA Technology B.V., Netherlands. The first period
of 18 months at C2CA in Netherlands, followed by a secondment of 18 months at RWTH in Germany.
During the first period, three technical visits will take place, i.e., to Mannok (Ireland), Cementos Argos
(Colombia), and EPFL (Switzerland).
and chemistry, techniques to evaluate cement quality, utilisation of SCMs in cement, grinding
technologies, and numerical modelling. The project will involve material characterisation (chemistry,
physics, thermal analysis, microscopy), cement hydration, Supplementary Cementitious Materials,
numerical modelling (chemical reactions and kinetic modelling), collection of process data to simulate
the effect of grinding on SCMs reactivity in composite cement, machine-learning approaches for soft-
sensing from time-series of process data, the use of data mining, multivariate statistics, pattern
recognition, detailed modelling, and hybrid models (both data-based and model-based).
Benefits
- 3-year full-time employment contract (salary according to MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates
- Gaining experience abroad. First period at RWTH, DE for 18 months, second at C2CA, NL for 18
months.
- Enrolment in a PhD programme at RWTH and participation in national/international scientific
meetings.
- Enlarged professional network and improved scientific career perspective in academia and industry.
- Shared research and innovative multidisciplinary and multisectoral training by senior scientists,
- A structured training programme consisting of research-related courses, soft skill courses, targeted

How to apply?
you want to apply for in the email subject (e.g. “DC11, DC12, and DC13”)
• Thomas Petithuguenin (tpetithuguenin@c2ca.tech)
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and Cementos Argos
“DC7: Impact of Material Variability on Concrete Performance”
TU Delft (Resources & Recycling group), in collaboration with Cementos Argos, is looking for a highly
motivated PhD candidate to join our dynamic research team. The project is part of the industrial doctoral
training network entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation towards Concrete
Sustainability” (DETOCS), funded by the Marie Skolodowska-Curie Action of the European
Commission.
Scientific Project
The primary objective of the project is to investigate the extent to which variability in concrete
components, such as binders, sand, aggregates, and the manufacturing process itself, influence the
final concrete properties. This study aims to provide significant insight into enhancing the production of
concrete, ensuring the stability and performance of the final product, even in the presence of variations
in the quality of input materials. The primary focus is understanding the variation in aggregates types
on the performance of concrete and their synergy of diverse SCMs in concrete. The outcome of this
study has the potential to enable contractors and production facilities to design more robust and reliable
concrete products capable of withstanding material properties and environmental conditions variations.
The specific objectives are: 1) study and identify factors or variables that impact the performance of
concrete during production process; 2) examine how fluctuations in raw materials can affect the
properties and performance of the resulting concrete; 3) model and predict key variables by analysing
studied or available parameters and then validate the model in real-scale industrial experiments at
prefabrication facilities and onsite production, and 4) develop guidelines and recommendations for
incorporating recycled materials (aggregates and recycled SCMs) into concrete production and
establish a degree of confidence in performance prediction.
The doctoral candidate responsibilities are as follows:
• Conduct a comprehensive literature review to identify knowledge gaps and relevant research in
concrete quality prediction, process control, and performance-based design.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate the impact of material variability (SCMs, recycled
aggregates) on concrete performance and relate findings to concrete manufacturing processes.
• Develop guidelines and recommendations for incorporating SCMs, recycled sand, and aggregates
into concrete production while maintaining or improving quality and performance.
• Communicate research findings through publications, presentations at academic conferences, and
progress reports to stakeholders, including academic and industry partners.
• Collaborate with industry partners in Europe and Colombia, sharing findings and integrating their
expertise into the project. Furthermore, contribute to the overall goals of the DETOCS Consortium,
working collaboratively with other researchers and consortium members and pursuing opportunities
for professional development.
• A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, with a strong
background in concrete materials, concrete production processes, and cement chemistry.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental research, including the design and execution of
laboratory tests related to concrete materials and performance, such as characterising building
materials, casting concrete, and studying concrete properties.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to present complex technical
information to diverse audiences, including academic and industry stakeholders.
• Hands-on experience in data analysis and programming languages, such as MATLAB or Python,
with a focus on predictive tools and their application to concrete performance.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team,
adapting to changing project requirements and priorities.
• Willingness to relocate within consortium members and travel to industry partner locations in Europe
and Colombia for collaborative research activities and meetings.
Complementary Eligibility Criteria

the motivation letter and during the interview (meeting the English proficiency requirements for PhD
candidates at TU Delft, as detailed in Graduate Schools Admission Requirements).
Conditions of employment
The first secondment will be at Cementos Argos (Colombia) for 12 months. As a part of DETOCS, the
candidate has the option to collaborate with other partners within this consortium. Active support and
training activities are offered to the candidate for both research and career development.
TU Delft offers an attractive, customisable compensation and benefits package, including discount for
health insurance and sports memberships and monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules
can be arranged. An International Children's Centre offers daycare, before- and after-school care, and
an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary
and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Benefits
– 4-year full-time employment contract with attractive salary and benefits.
– Gaining experience abroad. The position is mainly based in TU Delft (The Netherlands) and ARGOS
(Colombia) and, while various options are available to collaborate with other DETOCS partners.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at TU Delft and opportunities for participation in national and
– Enlarged professional network and improved scientific career perspectives in academia and industry.
– Shared research and innovative multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral training by senior scientists,
Applications must be in English and should include a CV, a letter of motivation (one page), Bachelor's
and Master's degree certificates (please include the transcript to English of the academic records),
contact information for two references, and, if applicable, a valid English proficiency certificate.
In the application, please indicate your nationality, countries where you have resided for the last three
How to apply? Each applicant may apply for up to three positions within the DETOCS programme in a
single application. Please follow these steps:
1) Send all the requested documentation to detocs@flsmidth.com, indicating up to three positions
you want to apply for in the email subject (e.g., “DC7” or “DC10”)
2) For DC7, add the following evaluator in cc.:
• Abraham Gebremariam, PhD (a.t.gebremariam@tudelft.nl)
• Daniel Duque, PhD (dduque@argos.com.co)
applying for (the list of evaluators for each position is available in the main job description as
well as the specific project description).
EPFL and C2CA Technology BV.
“DC8 | Quantifying concrete properties from cement paste scale tests”
EPFL is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to enrol in an Industrial Doctorate hosted at the
Laboratory of Construction Materials in Switzerland and C2CA Technology B.V., Netherlands. The
project is part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and
Action of the European Commission in collaboration with the Swiss State Secretariat for Education,
Research and Innovation (SERI).
Scientific Project
The project focuses on exploring very low carbon cement from a durability standpoint – providing a
framework that relates concrete performance to its cement composition. We start under the assumption
that the interfacial transition zone is not a dominant factor compared to the impact of the binder. To
verify and leverage this assumption, the research work includes three fundamental steps: a) data
collection at the cement paste and concrete scales; b) microstructure characterisation and quantification
of microstructure indicators on cement pastes and concretes, and c) constrained concrete models,
where we analyse how durability and microstructure at the cement paste scale can be used in durability
models of low-carbon cement at concrete scale.
The specific objectives are to: 1) develop streamlined physical models to predict durability of concrete
mixes produced with blended binders that have a high SCM content and exposed to chloride migration
and/or carbonation; 2) identify the key Durability Indicators (DI) to be measured at cement paste scale
for rapid assessment of concrete durability, and 3) validate the model predictions based on lab tests
and concrete plants data.
The project will consist overall of 18 months at EPFL, Switzerland, and 18 months at C2CA, Netherlands
probably in alternating periods of 6-12 months, but adjusted according to the evolution of the project.
Then, there will be a final year at EPFL to reach the 4 year requirement for a PhD from EPFL. Also,
during this period, two technical visits will take place, namely to Cementos ARGOS, CO, and RWTH
Aachen University, DE.
utilisation of supplementary cementitious materials to lower the carbon footprints, and cement
characterisation techniques (including microstructure) – with focus on durability testing methods
(carbonation and chloride migration). In addition, knowledge on concrete technology is required.
in Materials Science, Inorganic / Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Civil Engineering and
individuals with a quantitative science background in physics or chemistry with a main interest in the
future of cement production are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
– Gaining experience abroad. Full employment period at EPFL, Switzerland for 36 months (with 18
months secondment at C2CA Technology B.V., NL) with a doctor degree granted by EPFL.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at EPFL and opportunities for participation in national and

How to apply?
• Prof. Karen Scrivener, PhD (karen.scrivener@epfl.ch)
• Thomas Petithuguenin, MSc (tpetithuguenin@c2ca.tech)
University of Padova and FLSmidth
“DC9 | Soft-sensing and data analytics for in-line measurements

in low-carbon cement production”
University of Padova (UniPD) is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to enrol in an Industrial
Doctorate hosted at the Department of Industrial Engineering at UniPD (Italy) and FLSMIDTH
(Denmark). The project is part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled “Data Enabling
Scientific Project
The goal is to develop novel machine-learning and deep learning-based mathematical approaches for
performing smart monitoring of the blended cement production processes and soft sensors for
monitoring in-process quality of cement grinding and blending.
The specific objectives are related to: 1) the definition of the most effective machine-learning and deep-
learning approaches, dealing with data commonly collected in cement processes, and the
demonstration of efficacy and accuracy of soft sensors and their potential to digitalise cement industry;
2) the development of smart monitoring systems and interpretable anomaly detection approaches for
handling heterogenous time-series, including heterogenous sampling time.
The project consists of two employment periods: a period of 18 months at the University of Padova in
Italy, and a period of 18 months at FLSmidth in Denmark.
process, machine- and deep-learning techniques to estimate cement quality, and mathematical
modelling (both data-based and model-based) for Cement Industry 4.0. The project will involve the use
and development of machine-learning and deep-learning approaches for soft-sensing from time-series
of process data, the use of data mining, multivariate statistics, pattern recognition, latent-variable
modelling, detailed modelling and hybrid models (both data-based and model-based). Previous
experience on some of the above will be highly appreciated. Chemical and process engineers,
automation engineers, and data and computer scientists are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
– Gaining experience abroad. First employment period at University of Padova, IT for 18 months, and
a second at FLSmidth, DK for 18 months.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at University of Padova and opportunities for participation in national
and international scientific meetings.

Applications must be in English and should include: a CV, a letter of motivation (one page), Bachelor’s
and Master’s degree certificates (please include the transcript to English of the academic records). In
How to apply? Each applicant may apply to three positions within the DETOCS programme in a single
application. Please follow these steps:
• Prof. Pierantonio Facco (pierantonio.facco@unipd.it)
• Prof. Fabrizio Bezzo (fabrizio.bezzo@unipd.it)
• Wilson R. Leal da Silva, PhD (wld@flsmidth.com)
reserve list to cover future positions and might be contacted at a later stage.
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and Cementos Argos SA
“DC10 | Traceability of Concrete Materials along the Value Chain”
TU Delft (Resources & Recycling group) and Cementos Argos are seeking a highly motivated PhD
student to join our research teams for a project focused on developing a quality tracing system for
concrete materials along their value chain to enable market acceptance of low-carbon materials. If you
have a passion for data integration and the ability to lead a proof of concept, we encourage you to apply
for this exciting opportunity.
Scientific Project
The primary objective of this PhD project is to develop a comprehensive online quality database using
material passport technology to facilitate seamless documentation and tracking of concrete-based
materials throughout the value chain – founded on pre-existing, RFID-based tracking technology. The
project will focus on demonstrating the technology along the value chain from both physical and data
management perspectives, covering the integration of production data, quality data, data management
protocols, and user acceptance, emphasising SCMs and mix design optimisation.
In collaboration with industry partners in the Netherlands and Colombia, the candidate will lead the in-
situ proof of concept for using RFID tags and online quality databases in producing raw materials (from
raw materials to concrete elements). This will entail expanding the scope beyond the current focus on
aggregates and concrete to include other elements in the production process. The candidate will create
and manage the online quality database, ensuring it provides a comprehensive view of the production
process, and will be responsible for gathering user requirements and securing user acceptance.
The project will explore and classify relevant quality and production data that must be shared at both
business-to-business and business-to-customer levels, aiming to implement a secure, traceable
product to foster trust among supply chain actors. The applicability of shared data infrastructure to
traceability offers all supply chain actors a unique opportunity to trace their products and create
transparent, sustainable, passport-based supply chain networks in alignment with emerging EU data
harmonisation policies. This will de-risk the use of alternative (or non-standard) materials.
By focusing on expansion along the value chain, data management protocols, online database setup,
and user acceptance, this PhD project will contribute significantly to optimising supply chain
management for concrete-based materials and promoting transparency and sustainability within the
industry. The successful candidate will be admitted as a PhD student at TU Delft and collaborate with
the industry partner, Cementos Argos, in Colombia.
The doctoral candidate’s responsibilities include:
• Master's degree in computer science, engineering, materials science, data science, or a related
field
• 3+ years of experience in database development, management, and data analysis.
• Proficiency in data integration, modelling, and visualisation tools.
• Background in concrete materials, production processes, and RFID technology for material tracing
• Familiarity with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), mix design optimisation, and quality
management systems.
• Experience in leading and executing proof-of-concept projects and working with industry
collaborators (preferably in the Netherlands and/or Colombia).
• Knowledge of EU data harmonisation policies and their implications for supply chain management
• Excellent communication skills in English (additional language skills, particularly Dutch and/or
Spanish, are a plus), both oral and written.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to work independently and
collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with microelectronic circuits, sensors, and programming languages, such as Java, C++,
or Python, is a plus.
• Willingness to travel internationally for project-related activities and meetings.
• Genuine passion for sustainability and advancing low-carbon materials in the construction industry.
• Candidates must have a high proficiency in written and spoken English, which will be assessed with
Responsibilities
• Develop a comprehensive online quality database using material passport technology for seamless
documentation and tracking of concrete-based materials throughout the value chain.
• Integrate production data, quality data, and data management protocols, focusing on supplementary
cementitious materials (SCMs) and mix design optimisation.
• Collaborate with industry partners in the Netherlands and Colombia to lead the in-situ proof of
concept for using RFID tags and online quality databases in raw material production.
• Design and implement RFID-based tracking systems for building materials and products, evaluating
their performance and identifying critical design elements.
• Expand the project scope to include other steps in the production process, ensuring a
comprehensive view of the production process.
• Gather user requirements, secure user acceptance, and optimise quality database.
• Explore and classify relevant quality and production data to be shared at both business-to-business
and business-to-customer levels.
• Align the project with emerging EU data harmonisation policies and contribute to the optimisation
of supply chain management for concrete-based materials.
• Collaborate intensively with industry project partners to understand their needs, validate industrial
setups, and ensure business readiness to implement the quality database.
• Develop software for data management and analysis of the tracking system, integrating data from
various sources, such as control systems, sensors, and lab data.
participation in other research activities as required.
• Be willing to relocate within consortium members and adapt to project-related activities, such as
commercial demonstration and sponsorship.
Conditions of employment
As a part of DETOCS, the candidate has the option to collaborate with other partners within this
consortium. Active support and training activities will also be offered to the candidate for both research
and career development. The TU Delft offers an attractive, customisable compensation and benefits
package, including a discount for health insurance and sports memberships and a monthly work costs
contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children's Centre offers
daycare, before- and after-school care, and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers
support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour
Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Benefits
– 4-year full-time employment contract with attractive salary and benefits (see Conditions of
employment).
– Gaining experience abroad. The position is mainly based in TU Delft (the Netherlands) and Cementos
Argos SA (Colombia), while various options are available to collaborate with other partners within
DETOCS consortium, such as C2CA Technology (the Netherlands).
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at TU Delft and opportunities for participation in national and
– Enlarged professional network and improved future scientific career perspectives in academia and
the private sector.
– A structured training programme comprising research-related courses, soft skill courses, targeted

contact information for two references, and if applicable a valid English proficiency certificate.
How to apply? Each applicant may apply for up to three positions within the DETOCS programme in a
• Abraham Gebremariam, PhD (A.T.Gebremariam@tudelft.nl)
• Daniel Duque, PhD (dduque@argos.com.co)
• Thomas Petithuguenin, MSc. (tpetithuguenin@c2ca.tech)
University of Padova and Statwolf
“DC11 | A machine learning framework to predict cement and concrete quality attributes”
The University of Padova (UniPD) is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to enrol in an
Industrial Doctorate hosted at the Department of Information Engineering at UniPD, Italy and at Statwolf
LTD, Ireland. The project is part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling
Scientific Project
The goal is to develop novel, data-driven, Artificial Intelligence approaches and solutions for the cement
industry. The specific objectives are: 1) develop unsupervised Machine Learning approaches for
advanced diagnostic in cement manufacturing; 2) develop supervised Machine Learning approaches
for quality estimation; 3) develop Machine Learning approaches for prognostics; 4) validate the
performances of the developed approaches on real world cement data, and 5) support the development
of interactive Decision Support Systems for enabling users in the industry exploit the aforementioned
approaches. The project consists of two employment periods. The first period of 18 months at University
of Padova in Italy, followed by 18 months at Statwolf in Ireland. During the PhD, three technical visits
to DETOCS industrial partners will take place, namely to FLSMidth, Denmark, Cementos Argos,
Colombia, and Mannok, United Kingdom.
We are seeking a highly motived candidate who is passionate about Machine Learning and Industry
5.0 applications. The project will involve the usage and development of several Machine Learning
approaches (supervised and unsupervised) for both tabular and time-series data. Moreover, in the PhD,
both Deep Learning and ‘shallow’ Machine Learning approaches will be investigated. Mainly in the
second part of the project, the focus will be on productisation of Machine Learning services, with the
involvement in the development of Decision Support Systems and MLOps architectures.
Previous experience on some of the above will be highly appreciated. Engineers/Data Scientists with a
Masters on Computer Science, Control Systems, Information, Statistics as well as individuals with
background in Mathematics and Physics are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
– Gaining experience abroad. First employment period at University of Padova, IT for 18 months,
second at Statwolf, Ireland, for 18 months. During the PhD three technical visits to DETOCS industrial
partners will take place, namely, to FLSmidth, DK, Cementos Argos, CO, and Mannok Cement, IR.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at University of Padova and opportunities for participation in national
and international scientific meetings.

How to apply?
• Simone Pampuri, PhD (simone.pampuri@statwolf.com)
• Gian A. Susto, PhD (gianantonio.susto@unipd.it)
Institute of Housing and Urban Development Studies of the Erasmus University
Rotterdam (IHS-EUR) and Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS)
“DC12 | Drivers & barriers to the end-user adoption of low-carbon cement”
IHS-EUR is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to enrol in an Industrial Doctorate hosted at
the Institute of Housing and Urban Development Studies of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the
Netherlands, and the Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), Brussels (Belgium). The project
is part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and
Action of the European Commission.
Scientific Project
The objective is to uncover non-technical barriers (e.g., economic, regulatory, managerial) and potential
solutions for decarbonising construction value chains. Specifically, the goals are to: 1) explore end-user
barriers related to regulations and standards, while also identifying alternative approaches; 2) gain
insights into industry-specific characteristics driving adoption or hindering it for low-carbon cement
blends; 3) to investigate firm-level characteristics that either negatively or positively influence the uptake
of these sustainable cement blends.
This project will be conducted at IHS-EUR and ECOS, involving 18 months at each institution. The
candidate will also undertake four 1-week technical visits to industrial partners: FLSmidth (Denmark),
ARGOS (Colombia), Mannok Cement (Ireland), and C2CA Technology B.V. (Netherlands).
We are seeking an enthusiastic candidate with a deep interest in comprehending how industrial
organisation, policy dynamics, and regulatory frameworks within the construction sector – especially
cement and concrete – impact decarbonisation efforts.
The project will entail conducting research through surveys, interviews, participatory research, and
other appropriate methods to uncover barriers obstructing the widespread adoption of low-carbon
cement blends across the concrete value chain. The analysis will offer a thorough examination of
hurdles related to regulations, standards, organisational aspects, and industry-specific characteristics.
The candidate will also need to propose innovative strategies capable of effectively navigating these
challenges and promoting the integration of low-carbon cement.
Applicants with a solid foundation in innovation studies, economics, public policy studies, or related
social sciences are encouraged to apply and bring their distinct perspectives to this project. While prior
experience in the construction sector is beneficial, it is not obligatory.
Complementary Eligibility Criteria

the motivation letter and during the interview. A TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency test result can be
required (TOEFL: 600 Paper-based test, 250 Computer-based test, 100 Internet-based test; or
IELTS: A result of 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 on each sub-test).
Benefits
– 3-year full-time employment contract in a junior researcher position. Remuneration will be in line with
the responsibilities of the role and related to the work experience of the candidate. The salary conditions
– as stipulated by the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO NU) – meet the MSCA
regulations for doctoral candidates.
– Gaining experience abroad. This project will be carried out both at IHS-EUR and ECOS, involving 18
months at each institution. In addition to this experience, visits will be carried out with our industrial
partners: FLSmidth, DK, ARGOS Cementos, CO, Mannok Cement, IR, and C2CATechnology B.V., NL.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at IHS-EUR and opportunities for participation in national and

years (indicate periods), research experience, any additional information e.g., awards, fellowships,
How to apply?
• Beatriz Calzada Olvera, PhD (calzadaolvera@ihs.nl)
• Joren Verschaeve, PhD (joren.verschaeve@ecostandard.org)
RWTH Aachen University and FLSmidth
“DC13 | Rapid SCM characterisation method based on particle analysis”
Department of Building Materials at RWTH, Germany and the Green Innovation Centre at FLSmidth,
Denmark. The project is part of the industrial doctoral training network entitled "Data Enabling
Scientific Project
The goal is to explore the measurement of particle properties and correlate these to the chemistry and
composition of SCMs (i.e., clays and fly ash). The aim is to quickly estimate how SCMs impact low-
carbon cement blends' curing time and strength.
The specific objectives are: 1) developing a methodology for correlating particle properties to the
physical and chemical properties of low-carbon cement blends; 2) utilising measured particle properties
to estimate the chemical composition of SCMs, and 3) generating a model to quickly estimate the curing
time and strength of a given low-carbon concrete.
The project consists of one employment period with two secondments. The first period of 12 months at
FLSmidth in Denmark, followed by 12 months at ParticleTech in Denmark, and then 12 months at
RWTH in Germany. During this period, one technical visit to Cementos Argos, CO, will take place.
utilisation of SCMs in cement and cement characterisation techniques. The project includes material
characterisation (chemistry, physics, thermal analysis, microscopy, to mention a few) and
Supplementary Cementitious Materials.
Benefits
– Gaining experience abroad. Full employment period at FLSmidth, DK for 36 months (with 12 months
secondment at ParticleTech, DK and RWTH, DE). During this period, a short technical visit to Cementos
Argos, CO is planned.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at RWTH and opportunities for participation in national and

How to apply?
• Trine Aarbo, MSc (taa@particletech.dk)
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and C2CA Technology
“DC14 | Development of a decentralized production model for production of
cementitious binders from Secondary Raw Materials”
TU Delft (Resources & Recycling group) and C2CA Technology B.V. are seeking a highly motivated
PhD candidate to join our dynamic research team. The project is supported by the industrial doctoral
training network entitled "Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation towards Concrete
Sustainability” (DETOCS), funded by the Marie Skolodowska-Curie Action of the European Commission
in collaboration with an additional support from TU Delft.
Scientific Project
The primary objective of this project is to develop digital and AI-driven process technology for optimising
the control and operations of the production of high-quality secondary cementitious materials.
Specifically, the project has three components: 1) evaluating input material quality based on artificial
intelligence (AI) and sensor data; 2) identifying physical correlations in key processes/units by literature
review, numerical modelling and experiments, and 3) integrating AI evaluation and physical correlations
into an overall process model for digital control and optimisation of the production process, which will
be tested and validated in the industrial plant of C2CA Technology.
The generated results will offer valuable insights into the automatic evaluation of input materials from
diverse sources (e.g., diverse construction and demolition waste) and the optimal production of
secondary concrete materials, including SCMs, helping the transition towards sustainable concrete.
The doctoral candidate’s responsibilities are as follows:
• Conduct a comprehensive literature review to identify knowledge gaps and relevant research in the
production of secondary concrete materials, including input quality evaluation, process physics,
process modelling and optimisation, and relevant use of digital and AI technologies.
• Develop a model for evaluating the input material quality based on computer vision and sensor data.
• Identify physical correlations of key variables to be incorporated into the process model, by literature
review, numerical modelling, and lab-/pilot-scale experiments.
• Develop an overall process model that can predict the output quality of processed materials, helping
optimise process steps – which will be tested and validated through field experiments.
progress reports to stakeholders, including academic and industry partners.
• Collaborate with industry partners, sharing findings and integrating their expertise into the project.
Furthermore, contribute to the overall DETOCS goals, working collaboratively with other
researchers and consortium members and pursuing opportunities for professional development.
• A master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Civil Engineering, Physics, Mathematics,
Computer Science, Chemical and Process Engineering, or Automation/Control Engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in one or more aspects of (1) process control/optimisation; (2) physics-
informed machine learning; (3) computer vision or image processing; (4) quality evaluation of
concrete materials, and have the motivation to develop the relevant techniques in this project.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team and
adapt to changing project requirements and priorities.
• Willingness to relocate within consortium members and travel to industry partner locations.
• Proficient in at least one programming language, such as Python, MATLAB, and/or C/C++.
• Candidates must have a high proficiency in written and spoken English, which will be assessed with
Conditions of Employment
This is a 48-month full-time position, which consists of two employment periods. The first employment
period will be at C2CA Technology for 23.5 months. During this period, the salary and benefits will be
offered according to MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates and their family status at the time of the
recruitment. As a part of DETOCS, the candidate has the option to collaborate with other partners within
this consortium. Active support and training activities will also be offered to the candidate for both
research and career development.
The second employment period will be at TU Delft, for the rest of the 24.5 months. TU Delft offers an
attractive, customisable compensation and benefits package, including a discount for health insurance
and sports memberships and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be
arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers daycare, before- and after-school care and an
international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary
and benefits in the second period are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch
Universities.
Benefits
– 4-year full-time employment contract with attractive salary and benefits.
– Gaining experience abroad. The position is mainly based in C2CA Technology and TU Delft (both in
the Netherlands), while various options are available to collaborate with other partners within DETOCS
consortium, such as ParticleTech ApS (Denmark).
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at TU Delft and participation in national/international scientific
meetings.

Applications must be in English and should include a CV, a letter of motivation (one page), Bachelor's
contact information for two references, and if applicable a valid English proficiency certificate.
How to apply? Each applicant may apply up to three positions within the DETOCS programme in a
• Thomas Petithuguenin (tpetithuguenin@c2ca.tech)
• Yongli Wu, PhD (y.wu-7@tudelft.nl)
Imperial College London and FLSmidth
“DC15 | Environmental and economic performance of low carbon cement”
We are seeking a Research Assistant to enrol in a 3-year Industrial Doctorate employed at the Imperial
Centre for Infrastructure Materials, at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial
College London, UK, and co-supervised at the Green Innovation Centre at FLSmidth, Denmark. The
post will carry out research as part of the DETOCS (Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation
towards Concrete Sustainability) industrial doctoral network. It is funded by the Horizon Europe Marie
Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks programme in collaboration with the UK Research and
Innovation fund (UKRI).
Scientific Project
The aim of the project is to quantify the environmental and economic performance of highly substituted
composite Portland cements using use life cycle assessment and technoeconomic analyses. This
project is important because it will uncover the potential to reduce the environmental impact of
composite Portland cement using clinker substitution, which is the most industrially relevant approach
for deep decarbonisation of cement.
Further context: There are many more potentially viable combinations of conventional SCMs than those
that are industrially applied. There are also many useful yet unconventional SCMs that are not yet
commonly applied, including: recycled concrete fines, bauxite residue, rice ashes, maize ashes, wheat
straw ash, etc. Intelligent mix design utilising multiple SCMs is feasible at scale, which can result in
significantly reduced clinker-to-cement ratios. However, mixes incorporating several SCMs at high
clinker replacement rates are uncommon, and life cycle assessment studies of these more ambitious
blends are limited to a theoretical level. The environmental performance of the landscape of low carbon
composite Portland cements are largely unexplored. This project will support the development of these
more ambitious low carbon cements by combining theoretical and modelling results with industrial data.
We are seeking a highly motived candidate who is passionate about sustainability and research, with a
good understanding of cementitious materials properties and process engineering.
Engineers with a Master’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Materials, Civil, Metallurgical, etc.) or
science (Chemistry, Physics, Materials, Earth Science, Sustainability Science, Industrial Ecology) and
individuals with a quantitative science background in physics or chemistry with a main interest in the
future of cement production are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
– 3-year full-time employment contract.
– Gaining experience abroad. Full employment period at Imperial College London, UK for 36 months
(with 12 months secondment at FLSmidth, DK). During this period, a short technical visit to ECOS, NL,
Cementos Argos, CO, C2CA Technology B.V., NL, and Mannok Cement, IR, are planned.
– Enrolment in a PhD programme at Imperial College London and opportunities for participation in
private sector.

Applicants must complete both of the following steps to be considered for the role:
1. Apply on the Imperial College London website. Visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search by the
job reference PA6116 (link)
a. Full link:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/description/ENG02782/research-assistant-
environmental-and-economic-performance-low-carbon-cement
2. Send all the requested documentation to detocs@flsmidth.com, indicating the positions you
want to apply for in the email subject (in this case, “DC15”)
ANNEX 2
Detailed DETOCS Partner Description
FLSmidth A/S (FLS) is a global company which strives to provide sustainable productivity to the cement and
mining industries. FLSmidth was founded in 1882 and has 139 years’ experience in the cement industry. The
FLSmidth history is a classic narration of entrepreneurial success, starting out as a local, one-man consultancy
firm with humble beginnings and, through hard work and a sound strategy, growing into a major international
company which specialises in serving the cement and mining industry worldwide.
The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is an interdisciplinary public research organisation for
fundamental and applied scientific research. CNRS ranks among the leading global research institutions for its
excellent research and innovation achievements. 21 Nobel and 12 field medal laureates are members of CNRS
laboratories. It is organised in 19 Regional Delegations all over France, each managing laboratories of their
geographical area. The SIMAP Laboratory involves 200 permanent and non-permanent researchers in the field
of materials chemistry and physics, mechanical properties, and in the conception of processes and synthesis of
new materials. It is one of the leading laboratories for physical metallurgy, theoretical and experimental
thermodynamics, as well as for architecture materials. The research on cement-related materials is hosted in the
Thermodynamics and Process optimisation group.
The University of Aberdeen (ABD) has a long history of cement and concrete research. The late Prof. H. F. W.
Taylor wrote the classic text “Cement Chemistry” during his long career at Aberdeen while working with other
pioneers, such as Prof. F. P. Glasser and Prof. D. Macphee. These fundamental chemistry expertise have
expanded into high-temperature process modelling through many collaborations between the School of
Engineering and the Department of Chemistry. The School of Engineering has recently led several large
research projects on cementitious material processes development. The 2012-16 Green Concrete Project, a
£3.3M project to develop a novel, pilot-scale process for Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement production funded by
the Qatari QSTP, led to a $ 698 k project on the Development of a Low Carbon and Economically Competitive
Cement funded by Qatar NPRP from 2020-24, culminating in the ongoing € 413 k High-Temperature Cement
Clinker Thermodynamics project funded by Nanocem. Dr Bannerman is the PI at Aberdeen for all of these
projects, where he has been an investigator in approximately $ 6 M of funding, largely funded by industrial partners
developing novel processes.
RWTH Aachen University (RWTH) is the leading technical university in Germany. RWTH exploits strong
research networks and the intellectual curiosity of its staff to address bold scientific questions, transfer the forefront
knowledge, and drive innovative discoveries that impact global challenges. With more than 4700 BSc and MSc
students, the faculty of Civil Engineering at RWTH Aachen University is one of the largest educators of civil
engineers in Europe. The Institute of Building Materials Research (IBAC) within the faculty of Civil Engineering
is amongst the biggest institutes of construction materials science in Europe. IBAC has more than 70 years of
experience at the interface of fundamental research and engineering applications of construction materials.
Researchers are specialised in novel binder formulations, novel concrete concepts, e.g., textile reinforced
concrete, as well as concrete repair solutions and research on corrosion processes.
Imperial College London (IMP) is a world top ten university with an international reputation for excellence in
teaching and research. Imperial is committed to developing the next generation of researchers, scientists, and
academics through depth in core disciplines – science, engineering, medicine, and business – as well as
collaboration and expertise across disciplines – exemplified by its Global Institutes, such as the Grantham Institute
in Climate Change and the Environment. Founded in 1907 as the Imperial College of Science and Technology,
its research has contributed significantly to society, including the discovery of penicillin and the foundations of
fibre optics. In 2019, Imperial was home to over 17,000 students and 8,000 staff. The Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering is located in the heart of London, on its South Kensington Campus in the Skempton
Building. It is home to ~900 students and ~100 staff. The Materials Section is one of several in the Department.
Its research and teaching focuses on addressing grand challenges associated with sustainable provision of
infrastructure, notably the materials required to ensure this. This spans the understanding of fundamental
chemistry and development of novel materials with higher durability and lower life cycle environmental impacts
than their status quo counterparts, through to engineering and policy research around uptake of these innovative
and potentially circular materials in practice.
Delft University of Technology (TUD) is the Netherlands's oldest, largest, and most comprehensive technical
university. It has 8 faculties that offer 16 Bachelor's and more than 30 Master's programmes. Society is TU Delft's
continuous incentive for research. Health, energy, environment, and infrastructures and mobility are today's major
social issues. That's why TU Delft pays extra attention to research in these four domains. Fundamental research
is part of this because TU Delft aims to find solutions for tomorrow's problems as well as today's. TU Delft has
extensive on-campus research facilities, ranging from wind tunnels, chip facilities, a high-voltage lab, and a
nuclear reactor to serious gaming and product evaluation facilities. These facilities are also available for corporate
research. Cooperation is central to successful innovation. TU Delft cooperates with business, government and
civic organisations to transform technological innovation into practical, added-value applications for society.
Department of Engineering Structures studies civil engineering structures and infrastructure. The aim is to
develop resilient, smart, and sustainable (infra)structures that meet societal demands in transportation, energy
transition, and sustainable reuse. The department has micro- and macro-laboratories equipped with all the
necessary facilities to perform full-scale research on construction materials and their sustainable use. Resources
& Recycling is a research group with strong links to the minerals processing and recycling industry. The chair's
ambition is to create breakthroughs in recycling by applying fundamental science into innovative processes and
implement them in collaborations with industry to support Europe's raw material supply by innovations and
education in recycling technology
University of Padova (UniPD): Dating back to 1222, the University of Padova is one of the leading Universities
in Italy and has a long tradition and consolidated reputation for scientific excellence. The University of Padova
was one of the first Universities in Italy and in Europe to be acknowledged with the HR Excellence in Research
Award by aligning its policies to the 40 principles of the Charter & Code in 2012. The International Research Office
supports researchers who wish to apply for EU-funded research projects. Moreover, the International Research
Office of the University of Padova is Euraxess Contact Point. Departments: The Department of Information
Engineering (DEI) has more than 110 faculty members and more than 90 PhD students and post-doctoral fellows
doing research on Information Engineering, including the areas of Electronics, System Theory and Automation,
Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, and Bioengineering. The Advanced Machine Learning and
Industrial Control group is a research group focused on control systems and machine learning methodologies and
applications, with broad expertise in Deep Learning, Unsupervised Anomaly Detection, Reinforcement Learning,
and Model Predictive Control. The Department of Industrial Engineering (DII) represents a centre for research
and education in Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical, Energy, Materials and Mechanical Engineering. DII hosts 48
research laboratories and counts over 130 faculty members and over 120 PhD students and post-doctoral fellows.
The Computer-Aided Process Engineering Laboratory at DII is the leading research group for process systems
engineering in Padova, with expertise in modelling and optimisation, data analytics and digitalisation.
The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies of the Erasmus University Rotterdam (IHS-
EUR) focuses on educational, research and advisory activities related to urban development and management
worldwide. The research of this project will fall under the Urban Economics and Governance department. This
department looks into the repercussions of technological advances, resource shifts, and political changes,
generating consequential shifts in industries, labour markets, and equity in urban contexts, among other topics. It
also examines entrepreneurship, the formation of innovation clusters, and the intricate integration of urban
activities into global value chains. The department equally assesses how innovation and technological processes,
including digitalisation, play pivotal roles in orchestrating economic activity towards higher sustainability.
Mannok (MNK) is one of the UK and Ireland’s most diverse and experienced manufacturers of construction
products and consumer packaging solutions, producing a wide range of premium sustainable solutions. With a
heritage of almost 50 years, the Mannok name is synonymous with manufacturing and service excellence coupled
with a passion for sustainability and innovation. Its main operations base occupies a 3 km stretch of road which
straddles the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and it is one of the largest employers
and contributors to the social and economic prosperity of the region. The largest operation of the business is the
production of a range of Portland cement products in Ireland and the UK. Ongoing research and development in
the use of alternative raw materials and energy including SRF, Hydrogen, Oxyfuel and related green technology
in cement production is a core direction of the business currently. These are outlined in the published Mannok
2030 Sustainability Strategy.
C2CA Technology (C2CA) is a high-tech recycling company established in 2016 as a joint venture between the
Delft University of Technology and GBN (Strukton), a mineral recycling company. C2CA brings high-tech
knowledge at university level to the recycling industry, solves recycling issues, and treats waste streams that other
recycling companies cannot handle. Since 2012, concrete recycling technology was developed for closing the
loop for EoL (End of Life) concrete focusing on the reuse of the aggregate, the sand but especial the cement.
Statwolf (STA) will provide expertise in the development of Decision Support Systems and Business Intelligence
solutions for enabling automatic exploitation of Machine Learning-based solutions and informed decision making.
Statwolf will leverage its data platform (Statwolf Data Platform – SDP); the SDP is an online digital platform
designed to be interoperable with various industrial data sources and that can enable optimised decision-making
and data-driven automation. The Statwolf team involved in the proposal has expertise in various public and
private-funded project in Industry 4.0 and Industrial IoT and it is currently providing its software solutions to many
manufacturing plants and original equipment producers. Within the SDP, StatwolfML is a useful environment for
data scientists that can enable direct interaction with productive data, model training and testing, and the
productisation of the developed solutions. Statwolf will allow the involved research to use such environments,
while also providing training and expertise in the development of machine learning-based algorithms on case
studies.
Argos is a growing multinational company with an established presence in 16 countries and territories with
emerging and developed economies. The company has an ambitious cement production expansion plan based
on exploiting more SCMs, targeting 40 % clinker factor on average. Argos has been building history for over eighty
years, and today it is the number one cement and concrete manufacturer in Colombia and one of the most relevant
companies in The United States, the Caribbean, and Central America. The company employees more than 7,000
employees in three regions. It has 12 cement plants, 248 ready mix plants, 9 grinding mills, 31 ports and terminals,
56 dispatch centres, and more than 1,900 mixer trucks. Argos Research and Development Unit has two main
research axes: Smart Construction and Road to net zero. For the latter, the team has developed considerable
knowledge that has been applied industrially in the field of supplementary cementitious materials; particularly, the
production and use of calcined clay, one of the most promising technologies for the reduction of CO 2 of
cementitious materials. The company recently built a 450,000 tonnes per year calcined clay line in Colombia.
ETH Zurich (ETHZ) is widely recognised as one of the top universities in the world for science and technology,
consistently ranking in the top 10 worldwide and is the top continental European university. Founded in 1855,
ETH’s reputation is world class in both academia and industry for both its top-quality education as well as its
ground-breaking fundamental research, as evidenced by the fact that 21 Nobel Laureates have either studied,
taught, or performed research there. Its reputation as an innovation hub is also well-known, with 80 patents filed
per year and more than 280 spin-offs emerging since 1996. The Chair of Physical Chemistry of Building
Materials, headed by Prof. Robert J. Flatt, sits within the Institute of Building Materials within the Department of
Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich. The Chair’s research generally focuses on the
physical chemistry aspects of construction materials, as well as their processing and, in particular, digital
fabrication. This offers a great range of possibilities to modify macroscopic properties with only minor modifications
to the material bulk composition.
École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of the top engineering schools in Europe. Some 350
laboratories and research groups conduct research over a wide range of scientific and engineering
disciplines. The Laboratory of Construction Materials (LMC) is in the Institute of Materials in the School of
Engineering of EPFL. LMC’s main activities deal with research, testing expertise in cements, mortars, and
concretes. Their mission (2 senior scientists, 4 Postdocs, 8 PhD students, and 4 technicians) is to carry out
research on the understanding, improvement, and conception of new cementitious materials.
Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS) is an international NGO with a network of members and experts
advocating for environmentally friendly technical standards, policies, and laws. The organisation ensures the
environmental voice is heard when standards are developed, and it drives change by providing expertise to policy-
makers and industry players. Such approaches lead to the implementation of strong environmental principles.
ECOS strongly relies on the input of research and experts to feed into our work on standards and policies. The
research of this project will fall under the buildings and industry team. Cement and concrete decarbonisation are
a key priority in their work on which ECOS has established extensive expertise over the past decade. This
expertise is reinforced by its status as an Annex III organisation under EU standardisation regulation, affording
participation in CEN Technical Committees related to cement and concrete as an observer. ECOS has vast
network of researchers, experts, and industrial players in the cement & concrete value chain
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has since played a key role in the development of modern technology
and science, ranking among the top academic institutions in the world. Dept. of Materials Science &
Engineering: The research focuses on improving the environmental and economic sustainability of materials in
the context of rapid-expanding global demand. The research addresses two major problems where solutions could
yield significant environmental benefits: improving the sustainability of materials through increased use of recycled
and renewable materials, recycling-friendly material design, and intelligent waste disposition; and understanding
the implications of substitution, dematerialisation, and waste mining on materials markets. The research spans
three levels of materials production: operational-level, industrial network-level, and market-level strategies.
ParticleTech (PTECH) is a technology provider of analytical measurement tools for optimisation of production
processes. PTECH uses a patented 3D scanning technology combined with image analysis to analyse particle
size distribution (PSD) and shape/morphology. Fast and accurate measurements of high volume sample (= high
number of particles) is crucial to identify and analyse the particles real-time and hence be able to optimise, monitor
and control the production processes. The input materials to produce blended cements are clinker and SCMs are
dosed at different ratios to achieve a given performance criteria. They are in powder form and in sizes that PTech
can measure. PTECH measures from 0.5 µm to 3000 µm. The powder particles in this project are < 90 µm and
fit very well for PT measuring technology. PTECH will be able to measure relevant parameters, such as particle
size distribution, fineness, and morphology relevant for this project.

DETOCS JobDescription DC1-15

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

DETOCS JobDescription DC1-15

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DETOCS Recruitment Call for PhD Candidates

Industrial Doctorate Opportunities at FLSmidth and Partners

“Data Enabling Transformation and Optimisation towards Concrete Sustainability”

DETOCS Project Summary

DETOCS PhD projects (DC: doctoral candidate)

Application and Selection Process

Prof. Pierantonio Facco, PhD (pierantonio.facco@unipd.it)

Eligibility Criteria – to all applications

Timeline – to all applications

Detailed DETOCS PhD Project Descriptions

“DC1 | Accurate prediction of clinker quality and process related information

Application and Selection Process

Industrial Doctorate at FLSmidth,

“DC2 | Thermal activation of SCMs: Process Models and Quality prediction”

Application and Selection Process

2) For DC13, add the following evaluators in cc.:

“DC3 | Chemical activation of SCMs via carbonation and admixtures”

Application and Selection Process

“DC4 | Mechanical activation of SCMs: Process Models and Quality Prediction”

Application and Selection Process

“DC5 | Quality prediction of low-carbon cement blends”

Application and Selection Process

“DC6 | Environmental and technical performance-based design of

Application and Selection Process

“DC7: Impact of Material Variability on Concrete Performance”

Complementary Eligibility Criteria

“DC8 | Quantifying concrete properties from cement paste scale tests”

Application and Selection Process

“DC9 | Soft-sensing and data analytics for in-line measurements

Application and Selection Process

Application and Selection Process

Application and Selection Process

“DC12 | Drivers & barriers to the end-user adoption of low-carbon cement”

Complementary Eligibility Criteria

Application and Selection Process

“DC13 | Rapid SCM characterisation method based on particle analysis”

Application and Selection Process

Application and Selection Process

“DC15 | Environmental and economic performance of low carbon cement”

Application and Selection Process

Detailed DETOCS Partner Description

You might also like