PhD Project: Thermodynamic modelling of chloride migration into concrete

Aalborg University in Denmark is offering a funded PhD position focused on thermodynamic modelling of chloride migration into concrete. The research centers on replicating and predicting the results of the NT Build 492 Rapid Chloride Migration (RCM) test using geochemical modelling approaches. This is a technical, lab-adjacent research project that sits at the intersection of civil engineering, materials science, and computational chemistry. The core problem the project tackles is concrete durability. Chloride ingress is the main cause of reinforcement corrosion in concrete structures, and the RCM test is the standard method for measuring how resistant a concrete mix is to chloride penetration. This PhD aims to build a thermodynamic model that can simulate what happens inside the concrete during that test, which could eventually reduce the need for physical testing and give engineers a faster way to screen new concrete mixes. The work involves both understanding the electrochemistry of the test and the geochemical reactions between chlorides and cement hydration products. The position is based at Aalborg University's Department of the Built Environment, one of Europe's leading research groups in concrete and construction materials. Aalborg is known for its problem-based learning model, and the university has strong ties to the Danish concrete industry, including partnerships with major cement producers and consulting engineers. PhD students here typically work in a collaborative environment with regular supervision and access to well-equipped materials laboratories. Denmark offers a comfortable working environment for international researchers. The country has a high standard of living, and Aalborg specifically is a mid-sized university city with a lower cost of living than Copenhagen. English is widely spoken in academic settings, so language is rarely a barrier. As a PhD student at a Danish public university, you would be employed by the university with a salary, not just a stipend, which means you get full social benefits including healthcare and pension contributions. The Danish work culture values flat hierarchies and work-life balance, and the research environment is informal but rigorous.