Research Associate

Are you passionate about sustainable building materials and eager to contribute to positive change in the construction industry? Join Cardiff University’s School of Engineering for an exciting 3-year project focused on developing low-carbon concrete. 

The EPSRC-funded LITHICRETE project aims to repurpose mining waste generated during lithium extraction for the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate. With the decline of conventional materials like fly ash and steel slag, finding a sustainable replacement for Portland cement has become critical. LITHICRETE not only addresses this challenge but also provides the lithium industry with an innovative solution for managing its waste by repurposing it in the construction sector.

We are seeking a candidate with a PhD (or near completion) in materials science, civil engineering, geology, chemistry, or a related field. Applicants should have proven expertise in cement and concrete chemistry, as well as a genuine passion for sustainability. 

The successful candidate will work alongside Dr. Riccardo Maddalena and the RESCOM team at Cardiff University, joining a vibrant community of researchers and PhD students. As a Research and Innovation Associate, you will have access to cutting-edge facilities, including the newly established DURALAB in the School of Engineering, as well as resources in other Schools across the University. You will also participate in real-scale site trials and life cycle assessments.

Beyond technical research, this role offers opportunities to develop a wide range of skills, including digital and networking capabilities, public speaking, and creative communication. You will contribute to producing project outputs for dissemination to the wider public, ensuring your work has a meaningful impact.

More info about the project: 

LITHICRETE aims to establish lithium slag (LS), a future and new UK waste stream derived from the extraction and processing of battery-grade lithium carbonate, as a key raw material for the sustainable production of concrete. 

This project bridges two energy-intensive industrial sectors, battery-grade lithium production and the cement industry. This project will develop a new low-carbon concrete based on lithium slag mining waste for the production of durable and sustainable concrete infrastructure. It will provide an immediate outlet for the 800,000 predicted tonnes of LS per year and in doing so will unite two-energy-intensive industrial sectors (lithium +cement) in minimising both CO2 emissions and waste. The project vision will be achieved through the following objectives: characterise the UK lithium slags’ mineralogical composition and physical properties and assess its compliance against current standards and regulations for use in the construction industry; identify the optimal lithium slag content as a supplementary cementitious material; understand the long-term durability of LS-concrete systems under aggressive conditions; evaluate the economic and environmental benefits using life cycle (costs) assessment tools and actively engage with academics, industry and policy makers to allow use of lithium slags in construction designs and standards.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 01/04/2025 and is fixed term for 36 months or until 31/03/2028 whichever date is earliest.

Salary: £40,247 - £45,163 per annum (Grade 6). We do not anticipate appointing this position above point 6.34 salary £42,632 per annum.

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr Riccardo Maddalena at MaddalenaR@cardiff.ac.uk.  

For further details about working at Cardiff School of Engineering please contact Karen Baldwin/Chiara Riolo /Bev Jones at Enginadmin@cardiff.ac.uk.

Closing date: 22 January 2025

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