Graduate teaching & research assistant road infrastructure resilience

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Department: Department of Construction Engineering
Regime Full-time

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The Department of Construction Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Engineering is looking for a full-time (100%) graduate teaching & research assistant in the field of road infrastructure resilience.

Position

As a graduate teaching & research assistant, you will be part of the Academic Assistant Staff (Dutch: Assisterend Academisch Personeel, AAP). You will spend at least 50% of your working time preparing a PhD thesis. In addition, you will play an assisting role in teaching, research and service activities.

PhD research

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of road infrastructure resilience. The purpose of this project is to investigate the resilience of the Belgian road network to the main/critical stressors associated with climate change. The project will review the existing methodologies to determine road resilience, forecast the dominant climate stressors based on geographical characteristics, identify the most vulnerable road segments, propose adaptation measures based on different climate projections, and develop a decision framework for optimizing adaptation based on socioeconomic factors (cost, serviceability, environmental impact, etc.). Field/Laboratory work may be needed to collect first-hand information about road susceptibility to temperature, precipitation, aging or other environmental factors.
• You will organise your own PhD research and report on your progress regularly.
• You will participate in the doctoral study programme at the Antwerp Doctoral School to support your PhD pathway.
• You will present the findings of your PhD research at academic conferences, and you will publish them in high-ranked scientific journals.
• You will contribute to attracting national and international research funding.

Education

• You will provide support with educational assignments and teach high-quality academic lectures within the Faculty of Applied Engineering. You can find the courses of our bachelor’s and master’s programs in the following links:
  • Bachelor’s: Study programme | Civil Engineering Technology | University of Antwerp
  • Master’s: Study programme | Civil Engineering Technology | University of Antwerp
• You will supervise scientific projects and bachelor’s and master’s theses, mostly but not only related to your research.
• Your teaching role will evolve along with the study programmes.

Services

• You will play an active role in the academic and societal service provision of the SuPAR research group. You will participate in student recruitment and alumni activities.
• You will assist in ongoing research projects and serve on boards and committees.
• You will support activities organized by the SuPAR research group, including the organization of conferences and symposiums hosted by SuPAR.

Profile

• You hold a master's degree in civil engineering with a focus on transportation infrastructure, or environmental engineering/science with a focus on infrastructure resilience, or you will have obtained it by the time you start.
• You have a strong background in geographic information systems (GIS). Additionally, you have demonstrated experience in resilience research.
• Ideally, you have some knowledge of pavement materials and pavement engineering.
• Knowledge of advanced statistics is an extra asset.
• You have excellent communication and presentation skills in English. You can speak and write fluently in English, preferably proven by an IELTS or TOEFL test (to be included in your application).
• Proficiency in Dutch or French is an added value.
• You feel comfortable presenting your work in front of an international audience.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are motivated to work actively on your further professional development.
• You strive to improve existing systems and procedures, have a take-charge attitude and show leadership skills.
• You are passionate about research and education.

What we offer

• We offer an appointment as a graduate teaching & research assistant for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the appointment can be renewed twice up to a maximum period of six years.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for an assistant (Academic Assistant Staff, AAP).  
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Groenenborger in a dynamic and stimulating working environment. Daily attendance is expected.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 17 February 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
• a motivation letter, clearly stating how your background meets the profile requirements for this position, and including your potential research approach (such as an explanation of data mining and mapping, climate projections, resilient indicators, vulnerability assessment, etc.)
  • your academic CV, including diplomas and transcripts
  • proof of your English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/etc.). A minimum English level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (or equivalent) is preferred.
• The selection committee reviews all applications shortly after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Please note the interviews will take place in the week of 24-28 March 2025.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. David Hernando, david.hernando@uantwerpen.be

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.