Project Summary
- Currently, petrochemical products and industrial residues are
used for cement clinker reduction in concrete. However, they could be
replaced more sustainably by unused bio-based agricultural and
aquacultural by-products. Compared to industrial residues, however,
bio-based residues occur widely dispersed in multiple small deposits and
are subject to seasonal fluctuations. Thus, many small heterogeneous
material streams must be bundled into a few homogeneous supply streams for
the construction industry. The project aims to close this gap and
investigates the necessary ecosystems linked to the technological
conversion of bio-based by-products to high-performance building material
constituents, both before the conversion and in the subsequent utilization
in materials and structures. Decision-making systems supported by
artificial intelligence will be developed to assess the technologically
and socio-economically most sustainable use and to optimize mineral oxides
as cement substitutes. The concepts developed in the Kenyan pilot will be
extrapolated to the European frameworks and raw materials. The overall
goal is to develop sound policy advice for the worldwide application.
The specific project objectives are;
- To develop and assess the framework for the waste collection,
the livelihoods linked to it and the circularity potentials.
- To scale up the three-step conversion process for large scale
and prove the concept.
- To assess whether the concept of converting
multiple-heterogenous small supply streams into limited homogenous,
supplies for the construction industry.
- Development of training workshops that inform but also deliver
data for the final policy advice derived from the research.
- Policy advice, recommendations, tangible, reliable, and
scalable data.
Project Location
- This is a full-time position based in Meru-Kenya. The PhD
fellow(s) will be primarily based at the Institute of Cement and Concrete,
Meru University of Science & Technology, Meru-Kenya. The successful
applicants will be expected to report directly to the Project co-ordinator
and also work closely with the project partners within and outside Kenya.
Job specifications
- Have an MSc. in Cement & Concrete / MSc. in Chemistry /
MSc. in Material Science or an equivalent degree recognized by the MUST
Senate.
- iMust be in procession of an admission letter in PhD in Cement
and Concrete program from MUST
- Have solid knowledge of cement and concrete
- Have a good publication record in peer-reviewed journals,
commensurate with their research experience.
- Having prior research experience with cement and concrete
industry would be an added advantage.
- Be available to start the Research Doctoral Assistants/ PhD
fellowships by 1st September, 2024.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lab or Fieldwork: Conduct experiments, collect and analyze
data, and maintain laboratory or fieldwork records.
- iLiterature Review: Conduct literature reviews to identify
gaps in current research, summarize existing knowledge, and identify
potential research directions.
- Data Analysis: Assist in the analysis of data, including
statistical analysis, data visualization, and interpretation of results.
- Grant Writing: Assist in writing grant proposals to secure
funding for research projects.
- Research Design: Assist in designing research studies,
including developing research questions, hypotheses, and methodologies.
- Publications: Assist in writing research papers, including
drafting, revising, and editing manuscripts. Conduct high-quality research
leading to practical impact and publications in high-impact journals (must
be ready to work towards publishing a minimum of one quality paper per
year).
- Presentations: Assist in preparing presentations for
conferences, workshops, symposium, seminars and other events.
- Teaching Assistant: Assist in teaching undergraduate or
graduate courses, including leading discussion sections, grading
assignments, laboratory demonstrations and preparing course materials.
- Office Administration: Assist with administrative tasks such
as managing email accounts, scheduling appointments, and maintaining
records.
- Meeting Attendance: Attend regular meetings with the Project
co-ordinator, research team, and collaborators to discuss project
progress, goals, and challenges.
- Project Management: Assist in managing projects at all project
cycles, including tracking progress, setting deadlines, and coordinating
tasks /events.
- Communication: Communicate effectively with the Project
co-ordinator, research team, and collaborators to ensure that everyone is
aware of project progress and goals.
- Budgeting: Assist in managing budgets for research projects,
including tracking expenses and ensuring that expenses are within budget
limits.
- Safety Compliance: Ensure that research project(s) activities
comply with relevant safety regulations.
- Data Management: Assist in managing and storing data related
to research projects, including ensuring that data is secure and backed up
regularly.
- Collaboration: Collaborate with other researchers, both within
and outside the department or institution, to advance research projects.
- Capacity building: Contribute to research capacity building by
mentoring junior students or postgraduate researchers in their research
projects and provide guidance on research techniques and methodologies.
Contribute to research capacity building, including the training of
undergraduate and M.Sc students in the Project Coordinator’s Department
and/or Institute.
- Professional Development: Participate in professional
development activities such as trainings to stay current with latest
research methods and techniques in the field.
Key skills/ Personal attributes required
include:
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication (in
English, both oral and written) skills.
- Highly motivated and independent with strong research skills
and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Be a person of integrity and a keen eye for details.
Tenure and terms
- The Research Doctoral Assistant/PhD Fellowship is for a period
of thirty-six (36) months. The position is renewable every semester
subject to satisfactory performance, mutual agreement and the availability
of funds.
Stipend and benefits
- The position offers an attractive stipend in addition to
professional and personal development for the duration of the
project.
How To Apply
Notes
- Applicants should email their motivation letter, valid
passport (biometric page only), certified copies of Bachelors degree
certificate and transcripts, Master degree certificate and transcripts as
well as curriculum vitae (CV) giving details of their qualifications,
experience and three (3) referees indicating their telephone contacts and
e-mail contacts;
- Applications and related documents should be forwarded
addressed to the Director, Institute of Cement & Concrete, Meru
University of Science & Technology, Meru-Kenya, P.O Box 972-60200,
Meru-Kenya
- A PhD concept aligning with the research theme. The concept
should include a background, problem statement, possible research
questions /hypotheses, objectives, methodology, workplan and budget
(Maximum 15 pages– including bibliography, front: Times New Roman, font
size 12pt, margin 1-inch, single line spacing);
Applications should be emailed as one file in PDF: icc@must.ac.ke
Closing Date: Thursday, 30th July, 2024
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted