MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are individual research grants that enhance the creative and innovative potential of researchers holding a PhD and who wish to acquire new skills through advanced training, international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships will be open to excellent researchers of any nationality.

The Advanced Infrastructure & Materials (AIM) Center of Frederick University (FredU) invites motivated postdoctoral researchers to jointly prepare an application for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships call (MSCA-PF-2022) with FredU as host organization.

Description of Hosting Research Team

The AIM Center is involved in a variety of research projects related to the following:

• Geopolymer Concretes with particular interest in: (a) the valorization of several solid waste materials for the development of innovative building products and (b) the development of thermal and fire-resistant materials.
• Concrete Technology with particular interest in: (a) the effective reuse of Construction and Demolition Wastes (CDW) and other industrial by-products in concrete mixtures, either as cement or aggregates replacements.
• 3D Printing of Cementitious Materials, with particular interest in: (a) optimisation of the rheological characteristics and the interlayer properties of 3D printing cement-based materials.
• Technology of UHPFRCCs with particular interest in: (a) development, mechanical and durability properties and (b) protection of structures against blast and impact.

Expertise

We are looking for a candidate with expertise in sustainable building materials, with background in the field of civil engineering and/or material sciences and/or mining and metallurgical engineering and/or pertinent inter-disciplinary studies.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• A clear interest in inter- or trans- disciplinary collaborative research;
• Excellent skills in research methods;
• Excellent skills in stakeholder interaction and scientific writing;
• Excellent command of English language;
• Enthusiasm about experimental work and supervising state-of-the-art 3D-Printing equipment;
• Relevant laboratory experience will be considered an advantage.

Your profile

1. A PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply.
2. A maximum of eight years’ experience in research, from the date of the award of their PhD degree. Years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe
3. Should comply with mobility rules: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Cyprus, or the host organisation for the outgoing phase (for Global Postdoctoral Fellowships) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline (14/9/22)

What we offer:

• A stimulating, interdisciplinary environment for Sustainable Building Materials
• Support and guidance for the preparation of your MSCA PF proposal from your future supervisor and the team’s research manager.
• Advise and comprehensive support from the Research and Interconnection Service of Frederick University for incoming international researchers.

How to apply?

You can submit your application via e-mail to d.nicolaides@frederick.ac.cy (Cc research@Frederick.ac.cy) with subject line “MSCA PF 2022 PN”. Your application must include of a pdf file with the following documents:

1. A 1-page motivation letter
2. Your academic CV, including a complete list of your publications

As soon as the supervisor agrees to support you as a MSCA-PF candidate, you can start preparation of MSCA PF project proposal and will be supported further by the supervisor and the Research and Interconnection Service of Frederick University. For more information about the hosting offer, you can contact Dr Demetris Nicolaides (Head of Research Unit, d.nicolaides@frederick.ac.cy).