Organisation/Company: RMIT University

Research Field: Engineering » Materials engineering, Engineering » Chemical engineering, Chemistry » Applied chemistry, Engineering » Civil engineering, Technology » Materials technology

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions

Postdoc Positions

Country: Spain

Application Deadline: 29 May 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 37

Offer Starting Date: 1 Sep 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – COFUND

Reference Number: Au Spire_RMIT/Acciona-PF1

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: 101177949

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

RMIT University, in collaboration with ACCIONA, is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Au Spire Program.

This position will focus on Geopolymer Optimized for Acid Exposure. Applicants are invited to propose a research project of their own design, exploring the use of geopolymers to tackle the challenge of concrete deterioration in acidic environments.

The Australia-Spain Network for Innovation and Research Excellence (Au Spire) is an ambitious, interdisciplinary program co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement Nº 101177949 that links Spanish and Australian research communities through 28 Postdoctoral Fellowships. Centred on the concept of Planetary Wellbeing, Au Spire aims to address global challenges by fostering research with meaningful, positive impacts on the planet’s inhabitants and ecosystems.

The successful candidates will be employed in Spain by renowned companies, research centres, and universities for 36 months (3 years) and benefit from international and/or intersectoral co-supervision and secondments with counterpart organisations in Spain and Australia for up to 12 months.

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative professional to tackle the challenge of developing an acid-resistant concrete solution using geopolymers or alternative approaches. The ideal candidate should possess a strong background in materials science, civil engineering, or a related discipline, with specific expertise in cementitious materials and concrete durability.

Key Qualifications and Experience:

• Candidate must possess academic studies in Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry or a related field.

Technical Expertise:

• In-depth knowledge of concrete chemistry, hydration processes, and degradation mechanisms.
• Experience with geopolymers, alkali-activated materials, or alternative cementitious binders.
• Familiarity with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash, silica fume, and their role in acid resistance.
• Understanding of industrial waste valorisation and sustainability in construction materials.

Research and Development:

• Strong analytical skills to assess material properties, including resistance to acid attack.
• Ability to design and conduct laboratory experiments to optimise geopolymer formulations.
• Experience with durability testing methods and mechanical property evaluation of cementitious materials.
• The selected candidate will play a key role in bridging scientific research and industrial application, contributing to the future of sustainable and durable construction materials.

Employment Details:

• A full-time employment contract in Spain for 36 months (3 years) with attractive salaries including social security benefits. The salaries offered by Au Spire are above the average salary for postdoctoral researchers in Spain.
• 4,000 EUR relocation for employment stipend to cover costs associated with taking up employment (flights, visa, insurance, etc.), to be distributed monthly as a top-up to the gross salary.
• 9,000 EUR relocation for secondment stipend to cover compulsory project-related travel and accommodation costs (flights, visa, insurance, accommodation, etc.).
• 314 EUR monthly family allowance offered to candidates who meet the criteria.
• 3,000 EUR travel stipend to cover flights and accommodation for participating in compulsory Au Spire training and networking events in Spain over the 3 years.
• Innovative projects of high societal and commercial value in a unique international research environment and multidisciplinary network of researchers and chief investigators from leading industries, research centres and universities.
• Unique training in Planetary Wellbeing and the opportunity to shape your research to offer true value to society and a positive impact on our planet’s inhabitants and ecosystem.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Academic requirements: applicants must be in possession of a doctoral degree at the call’s deadline. If you have successfully defended your thesis but you have not yet been awarded your Ph D degree at the time of the call deadline for applications, you must upload a provisional degree certificate from your institution.
• MSCA mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain – including overseas territories – for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call deadline (i.e., since 29 May 2022).
• MSCA employment rule: applicants must not have been already permanently employed by the chosen Employing Entity at the time of the call deadline.
• Exclusive dedication: applicants must be available to work full-time and exclusively for the action and cannot benefit from another Marie Sklodowska Curie Action during the employment time.
• English proficiency: applicants must have a demonstrable C1 level of English (both speaking and writing). In the absence of a recognised certificate, English proficiency will be assessed based on the level of the written project proposal and during the interview.

Selection Process:

• Online application: Submit your complete application through the (Slide Room) online portal, before 29 May 2025 at 11:59 PM CET.
• Eligibility check: Au Spire Program Management Team will check that the application complies with requirements and meets the MSCA eligibility criteria.
• Evaluation of eligible applications and first ranking: Eligible applications will be assessed by the Selection Panel against the Evaluation Criteria detailed in section 4 of the Guide for Applicants.
• Interviews: Applicants shortlisted by the Selection Panel will be invited for an interview (by videoconference).
• Final ranking and allocation of positions: The preferred candidate will receive a conditional offer letter for admission into the Au Spire Program.
• Onboarding of successful Applicants: Formalise your employment contract at the Employing Entity.
• Start: your postdoctoral fellowship in September 2025.

Additional Comments:

The remuneration, in line with the European Commission rules for Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant holders, will consist of a gross annual salary of 37,000 EUR. The definitive amount to be received by the Postdoctoral Fellow might be subject to Spanish tax legislation.