PRR Project

Summary

Context and rationale for the hiring need | Fibre-polymer composites offer several advantages over traditional materials, for both new construction and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, such as lightness, high strength, durability and low maintenance requirements during service life. In the last 15 years, the Composites Research (CORE) Laboratory of CERIS, integrated in the research group Studies in Construction (RG5), became an international reference, establishing an extensive collaborative network with top research laboratories worldwide. It provided relevant research contributions in different domains of fibre-polymer composites (e.g., mechanical and structural behaviour, connection technology, durability, fire behaviour, sustainability), through experimental testing and advanced simulation techniques (analytical and numerical). In addition, several collaborations were established with the national and international composites industry, resulting in the development of innovative products. Major contributions to standardization were also given, namely the future Eurocode for fibre-polymer composite structures. Recently, several members of the CORE group retired or obtained permanent positions elsewhere. The proposed hiring position aims at compensating this critical mass reduction, which involves an important loss of CERIS actual competencies and, consequently, a risk of steep decay on CERIS activities, achievements and productivity in this area where it gained an international prominent position. Position importance for CERIS | Hiring a researcher for the position in Advanced Fibre-Polymer Composites for Civil Engineering Applications is essential for continuing to develop groundbreaking research and providing excellent training conditions at the post-graduation level within the Studies in Construction group of CERIS. The aim of this hiring is three-fold: (i) reinforcing CERIS competencies, namely in what concerns the experimental testing and simulation activities in Advanced Fibre-Polymer Composites for Civil Engineering Applications , which otherwise would be lost or significantly reduced; (ii) improving and extending the use of the available instrumentation, equipment and simulation tools to other CERIS researchers through the assistance of a trained researcher; (iii) exploring/starting pioneer research in emerging research topics. Accomplishing these goals will contribute to CERIS continuing to develop leading-edge research and to maintain its international leadership in the area. Researcher functions | The hired researcher will have several assigned tasks: (i) helping in the coordination and management of the experimental activities (e.g. development of test setups and instrumentation, establishment of priorities, definition of daily tasks of laboratory technicians, decision on the needed consumables or on equipment maintenance); (ii) maintaining and developing new competencies in using advanced equipment/instrumentation and simulation tools; (iii) extending the use of this equipment/instrumentation and simulation tools by actively collaborating with other researchers in their projects; (iv) conducting his/her own research on new areas through the development of research and consultancy projects and the supervision of postgraduate students or grant holders; (v) promoting and participating in the preparation of project applications in Advanced Fibre-Polymer Composites for Civil Engineering Applications and related areas; (vi) participating in teaching activities. Scientific profile | The candidate for this position should have: (i) a strong background in Civil Engineering; (ii) a large experience in the development of fundamental and applied research in Advanced Fibre-Polymer Composites for Civil Engineering Applications , demonstrated through the development of his/her PhD thesis, the participation in R&D projects, the supervision of students and the publication of relevant articles; (iii) a demonstrated experience on the experimental testing and simulation of fibre-polymer composite materials and structures; (iv) and a scientific project that promotes research activities in the CERIS laboratories, through experiments and simulation. Hiring process | CERIS will launch an international competition for hiring the most talented researcher for this position, that will be largely advertised through national and European EU platforms and web portals (e.g. Euraxess). Specific requirements will be established in the announcement, such as the development of a scientific project focused on experimental research and simulation, the demonstration of previous experience on developing experimental activities with advanced equipment/instrumentation (R&D projects and publications) and simulation tools, the demonstration of experience in leading teams (coordination of R&D projects and MSc/PhD supervision) and recognition of the scientific community through a minimum h-index=12.