Research Assistant / Research Fellow (Soil-Cement) at Meru University of Science and Technology

A reputable organization seeks a dedicated individual for this role. Project Summary The project focuses on the development and evaluation of Stabilized Soil Blocks (SSBs) and Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs) at the Soil-Cement Laboratory, Institute of Cement and Concrete, Meru University of Science & Technology (MUST). The primary aim is to produce sustainable, cost-effective, and durable building blocks using locally available soil materials stabilized with appropriate cement and additives. This initiative seeks to contribute to affordable housing solutions, promote environmentally friendly construction practices, and enhance the technical capacity of academicians, researchers, policy makers, regulators and other industry professionals in innovative cement-earth-based construction technologies. Through comprehensive testing and analysis, the project aims to establish optimal mix designs, mechanical properties, and construction guidelines for industry practitioner’s applications. Project Objectives

• Determine the optimal mix proportions of soil, stabilizers (such as cement), and water to achieve desirable strength, durability, and dimensional stability.

• Develop and produce Stabilized Soil Blocks (SSBs) and Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs) suitable for sustainable construction using locally sourced soils and stabilizers.

• Evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of the blocks, including compressive strength, water absorption, density, and durability.

• Analyze the environmental and economic benefits of using stabilized soil and compressed earth blocks as sustainable building materials.

• Establish standardized testing procedures and quality control measures for the production of SSBs and CEBs.

• Promote awareness and capacity building among academia, researchers, industry professionals, policy makers and local communities on the advantages of soil-cement earth-based construction materials.

• Development of training workshops that inform but also deliver data for the final policy advice derived from the research.

• Policy advice, recommendations, tangible, reliable, and scalable data.

Project Location

• This is a full-time position based in Meru-Kenya. The Research Assistant / Research Fellow will be primarily based at the Institute of Cement and Concrete, Meru University of Science & Technology, Meru-Kenya. The successful applicants will be expected work closely with the project partners within and outside Kenya.

Job Description

• We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Research Assistant / Research Fellow specializing in soil-cement research. The successful candidate will contribute to advanced research involving soil testing, geotechnical applications, and soil-cement materials. The role involves experimental work, data analysis, and collaboration with a mul...