PhD Student for Carbon Negative Building Materials for Automated Construction

Scientific areas

Material Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering and related fields

General description

The Sustainable Engineered Structural Solutions Laboratory (SESS-Lab) Group at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applicants for a PhD position under the supervision of Dr. Cristiano Loss. We are looking for skilled and highly motivated individuals to pursue a Ph.D. in carbon-negative building materials for automated construction.

The goal of this research program is to develop long-term carbon storage building materials in both structural and non-structural applications with the use of renewable carbon. The project will convert plant biomass residues generated from biorefinery operations into large interlocking "bio-blocks," featuring quick assembly and load-bearing capacity under in- and out-of-plane loads. These materials will be targeted for rapid on-site construction, aiding in the development of high-performance buildings that meet Net Zero standards.

Research partners

This research will be carried out in partnership with the Forest Products Biotechnology/Bioenergy and Advanced Renewable Materials groups, and Clean Energy Research Centre, at the University of British Columbia, and Shell Canada R&D Department.

Research description

The successful candidates will perform research aimed at creating modular bio-blocks for fast staking using automated robotic bricklayer technology. The bio-block, including the thickness and number of the face shells and webs, as well as its shape and dimensions, will also be optimized in order to provide walls with high load-bearing and hygrothermal performance capacity. An integrated numerical and experimental approach will be followed, and mechanical parameters will be determined. Students will contribute to contemporary research topics that will have strong potential for practical applications. The outcomes are expected to contribute significantly to the current and future building sector, introducing new concepts for the building industry. Students will be prepared for qualified positions in academic or industrial fields at a later date.

Qualifications

Students who hold an M.Sc., M.A.Sc., M.Eng. or equivalent degree are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidates should have a solid background in solid mechanics and/or structural analysis, and outstanding knowledge of finite element analysis (FEA), data processing, and testing methods. Programming in C++/Python or other languages, and using application programming interface coding are prerequisites for this position. Qualified students will be provided with full financial support and trained to perform independent research.

Research Assistantships

A four-year scholarship will be provided to the selected candidate, with a minimum Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) package of $28,000/year 12-month-based stipend, plus top-op amount based on previous qualifications. There is also the possibility of additional funding through the Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) program and other awards.

How to apply

Interested students are invited to contact Dr. Cristiano Loss at cristiano.loss@ubc.ca. Please send a letter of intent, a copy of your CV and contact information of at least two referees. Use subject ‘Application NSERC-Bio-Blocks-2024’ when emailing. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The SESS-Lab group has and will continue to nourish a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all its members. We particularly encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the BC Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

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