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 a 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 coordinator 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.
- Must 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.
- Literature 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, symposiums, 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
Coordinator, 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
Coordinator, research team, and collaborators to ensure that everyone is
aware of project’s 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 the 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.
How To Apply
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.
Notes
- Applicants should email their motivation letter, valid
passport (biometric page only), certified copies of bachelor’s degree
certificate and transcripts, Master’s 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 and
addressed to the Director, Institute of Cement & Concrete,
Meru University of Science & Technology,
P.O Box 972-60200, Meru-Kenya
Meru-Kenya,
A PhD concept aligning with the research theme. The
concept should include a background, problem statement, possible research
questions /hypotheses, objectives, methodology, work plan 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
For inquiries, contact Dr. Joseph Mwiti Marangu,
Email: jmarangu@must.ac.ke
