PI of MAGICON is Erik Schlangen. He is professor of Experimental Micromechanics at Delft University of Technology in Delft, The Netherlands, at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, department 3MD, section Materials & Environment.

Central to his work is micromechanics, which involves studying materials at the microscopic level to understand and manipulate their structural properties. This research provides insights into the intrinsic behaviours of construction materials, allowing for the development of more durable and sustainable solutions. The studies on the micromechanical properties of concrete and asphalt have also led to breakthroughs in self-healing materials, enhancing the longevity and resilience of infrastructure. Additionally, his research encompasses smart construction materials, discrete element modelling, and 3D printing of concrete. 

more info: www.erikschlangen.net

Co-supervisor of PhD 1,2,3 is Branko Šavija. He is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Delft University of Technology, department 3MD, section Materials and Environment.

His research focusses on Smart materials in general, and in particular mechanics of cement based materials.

He is leading projects on:

  • Auxetic Concrete (his ERC-starting grant)
  • Energy harvesting cement-based materials
  • 3D-printing of concrete
  • Recycled materials
  • Durability aspects
  • Multi-scale modelling

Co-supervisor of PhD 3,4 is Iuri B.C.M. Rocha. He is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Delft University of Technology, department 3MD, section Applied Mechanics.

His research focuses on developing fast and accurate computational mechanics tools for high-fidelity multiscale and multiphysics analysis of complex materials. His research lines of interest include:

  • Concurrent multiscale modeling (computational homogenization)
  • Modeling of material degradation and failure across scales
  • Manifold learning, projection-based model-order reduction, hyper-reduction
  • Physics-informed machine learning for surrogate modeling
  • Bayesian inference/learning, adaptive methods, active learning

Arjan Thijssen is a technician in the Microlab, supporting the research with Microscopy using ESEM and digital microscopes. Furthermore he will be running the CT-scanning machine and develop humidity chambers for our equipment to study moisture transport..

Maiko van Leeuwen is a technician in the Microlab that will be responsible for specimen making and preparation for the advanced testing. He will focus on supporting the mechanical testing in the project.

The Post-Doc should preferably have a PhD with background in self-healing materials with knowledge of characterization techniques and SEM/EDS. It is important that this (experienced) PD starts at the beginning of the project to assist in getting the project running smoothly from the start.

 

Position FILLED. Name and Photo will be here soon

PhD 1 (start 1 January, 2026)

My name is Kangtai Yan (Dan). I come from China and I recently received my Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Tongji University in Shanghai.

My research has mainly focused on 3D printing concrete, engineered cementitious composites (ECC), and sustainable materials. Over the past few years, I have been working on developing new types of cement-based composites that combine high strength, lightweight properties, and improved sustainability. I am also quite experienced with a wide range of mechanical experiments and testing methods, which has been the core of my research work.

Outside of research, I am really passionate about photography, which I’ve been practicing for many years and enjoy a lot. I also like sports of all kinds — recently I’ve been very enthusiastic about swimming, and I’m planning to get a diving license soon. Sports and photography keep me active, creative, and balanced.

For the MAGICON project, I will join as PhD 1 starting in January 2026. My role will focus on experimental mechanical testing and nanoindentation, with close links to small-scale manufacturing tools. I see this position as a great opportunity to bring together my background in civil engineering and experimental mechanics while exploring new approaches at smaller scales. I’m very excited about the interdisciplinary nature of this project and I look forward to contributing actively.

PhD 2 (start 1 January, 2026) 

My name is Arpan Adhikari, and I come from Nepal. I studied Civil Engineering (B.Tech) in Bangalore and then completed my Master of Technology in Civil Engineering with specialization in Construction Technology and Management at IIT Bombay. My research during my academic years was focused on microstructural evaluation in concrete technology. Over the last years, I’ve gained experience as a planning engineer to develop a 216MW hydroelectric project along with multiple linear infrastructures projects, which gave me both technical depth and a practical perspective on materials and large-scale infrastructure.

Beyond academics, I enjoy spending time outdoors through activities like hiking, running, and playing football. Growing up in Nepal, surrounded by mountains, I developed a deep appreciation for nature and staying active, which continues to be an important part of my lifestyle. I also enjoy traveling and exploring new places and cultures, as it allows me to meet diverse people, experience different perspectives, and stay curious about the world. These activities keep me balanced, motivated, and inspired both inside and outside of research.

My Role in MAGICON  

Within the MAGICON project, my PhD will focus on transport mechanisms and CT-scanning/evaluation in cementitious materials.  

 

PhD 3 (start ~November 2026, position for 4 years): A researcher with experience in computational modelling and experience with processes in construction materials. The preferred background of this student is civil engineering and the candidate should be able to understand the mechanisms and processes that are studied by PhD 1 and PhD 2.

 

 

Position FILLED. Name and Photo will be here soon

 

PhD 4 (start 1 January, 2026)

I’m Yu-Cih Lin (you can call me Kelsey) from Taiwan. I completed my BSc at National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan) and my MSc at TU Delft, both in the structural engineering track of civil engineering. During my bachelor’s, I focused on incorporating phase change materials in UHPC to reduce indoor temperature fluctuations. In my master’s, my research shifted toward machine learning — specifically using a Conditional Autoencoder for the inverse design of porous materials.

In the MAGICON project, I will be working on developing machine learning tools to translate the mechanisms, relationships, and data generated by other researchers into a multi-scale, Ashby-plot-like virtual design space for concrete.

As for my hobbies, currently I do volleyball, table tennis, sewing, photography. I’m also a big fan of TU Delft X, so I’ll keep exploring fun activities there!