| Location | Houston, TX |
Post Doctoral Fellow - Calcium Aluminate Cement (CAC)
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Department: Civil Engineering Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education
Description:
Possesses, understands, and applies a comprehensive knowledge in area of specialization. Develops understanding and skills to allow for completion of assignments that cross fields of specialization. Develops leadership and management skills.
Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures.
May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment.
May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control.
Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.
May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels only in unusual situations.
Performs other job-related duties as required.
Additional Posting Information:
A postdoctoral associate position is available in Dr. Konrad J. Krakowiak's research group at the University of Houston. The postdoctoral associate will investigate calcium aluminate cement (CAC) concrete for high-temperature thermal energy storage applications. The work will examine how formulation, curing, and thermal exposure affect phase evolution, porosity, dimensional stability, thermal properties, and mechanical performance.
The postdoctoral associate will plan and conduct laboratory experiments, analyze results, contribute to technical reports and publications, and work with graduate students and project collaborators. The research includes characterization of cementitious materials and testing at room and elevated temperatures.
Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in civil engineering, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related field. Strong experimental skills, clear communication, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively are required.
Desired qualifications include:
Experience with cement chemistry, CAC, refractory castables, or high-temperature cementitious materials.
Experience with materials characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy.
Experience measuring mechanical, thermal, or dimensional properties of cementitious materials, including properties after elevated temperature exposure.
Experience with data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or comparable tools; computational modeling is an advantage.
Experience mentoring graduate or undergraduate researchers.
The initial appointment will be for one year. Extension is contingent on performance and funding availability. The position is available as early as October 15, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to Dr. Konrad Krakowiak at kjkrak@uh.edu.
Minimum qualifications: Requires specialized knowledge of an advanced professional discipline, normally acquired through a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization. No prior professional experience is required.
All positions at the University of Houston System are security sensitive and require a criminal history check.
The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.
MQ: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced professional discipline or the highest level of general business knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the type of work being performed.
No experience is required.
All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.
The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.