Shamseldin Abdo

The primary responsibility of this role is to ensure the quality, accuracy and reliability of all laboratory testing and equipment calibration. This includes overseeing time and cost management across laboratory operations, managing procurement, and identifying alternative testing solutions to maintain efficiency.

Responsibilities also include leading task planning and delegation within the team, monitoring progress, and ensuring smooth workflow execution in line with organisational and accreditation standards. In this position, I oversee a wide range of testing activities, including soil, foundation materials, asphalt, fresh and hardened concrete, and in-situ structural assessments. These include reinforcement detection, core drilling, moisture measurements, mechanical strength testing, carbonation and chloride analysis, asphalt composition and compaction tests, as well as soil and subgrade evaluations such as Proctor compaction, pressure plate tests, and grain size distribution.

These activities support reliable material characterisation, structural diagnostics, and high-quality reporting for clients and stakeholders.

Laboratory manager at Labo-betex (2026-01 – Present)

The primary responsibility of this role is to ensure the quality, accuracy and reliability of all laboratory testing and equipment calibration. This includes overseeing time and cost management across laboratory operations, managing procurement, and identifying alternative testing solutions to maintain efficiency.

Responsibilities also include leading task planning and delegation within the team, monitoring progress, and ensuring smooth workflow execution in line with organisational and accreditation standards. In this position, I oversee a wide range of testing activities, including soil, foundation materials, asphalt, fresh and hardened concrete, and in-situ structural assessments. These include reinforcement detection, core drilling, moisture measurements, mechanical strength testing, carbonation and chloride analysis, asphalt composition and compaction tests, as well as soil and subgrade evaluations such as Proctor compaction, pressure plate tests, and grain size distribution.

These activities support reliable material characterisation, structural diagnostics, and high-quality reporting for clients and stakeholders.

Project engineer at Betonexpertise (2026-01 – Present)

Conduct comprehensive evaluations of concrete quality and durability using a range of non-destructive and semi-destructive testing methods. Assess steel reinforcement conditions and execute specialised tests to determine chloride penetration and carbonation depth. It is vital to provide technical insights to support structural diagnostics, durability analysis, and informed decision-making for maintenance and rehabilitation strategies.

Structural engineer at ROBUUST architectuur&onderzoek (2024-12 – 2025-12)

As a stability engineer, I am responsible for the design and structural assessment of concrete, steel and timber structures. My role ensures that these structures are safe, fit for purpose and comply with European standards and codes. I prepare detailed project timelines, incorporating overlapping tasks such as pile design, concrete and steel detailing, to achieve the shortest and most efficient delivery time.

I work closely with contractors and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, using key project management skills in scheduling, resource allocation, risk mitigation and stakeholder communication to ensure the successful completion of each phase. My role involves precise calculations and an in-depth knowledge of material behaviour, as well as proactive planning and rigorous attention to detail.

Research Fellow at Belgian nuclear research center (2020-10 – 2024-11)

As a research fellow in the R&D unit of the Waste and Disposal Department at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), I conducted research into concrete properties and long-term performance by carrying out multi-scale experimental investigations. I performed numerical modelling using finite element analysis (FEA) via advanced simulation platforms such as Abaqus, COMSOL and MARS. To ensure scientific rigour, I maintained strict quality control and assurance protocols for all tasks and experiments executed by technicians, safeguarding the consistency and reproducibility of our results.

I also oversaw the tendering process and procurement of critical equipment and materials, aligning technical specifications with institutional requirements. This required cross-departmental collaboration to select, acquire and implement state-of-the-art instruments that were tailored to my indoor laboratory design. Throughout my work, I emphasised the importance of detailed reporting, capturing and documenting every phase of experimental planning, execution and analysis to ensure transparency and continuity of knowledge.

University research assistant at Ghent University (2020-10 – 2025-10)

My PhD research on creep and shrinkage of concrete represents a significant step towards a holistic understanding of concrete behaviour. It uniquely combines my experimental expertise with the power of numerical modelling, allowing me to analyse and predict long-term material performance. This blend of skills enables me to tackle complex research challenges at the forefront of building materials engineering.

This research has provided me with a strong foundation in experimental concrete technology, honed through extensive testing of mechanical properties (compressive strength, tensile strength, static/dynamic modulus and fracture energy) and microstructural analysis techniques (BET, MIP, XRD and TGA).

Teacher assistant at Peoples' Friendship university of Russia (RUDN University) (2018-09 – 2020-06)

Teaching courses related to construction and building material, concrete technology and quality control/assurance.

Laboratory assistant at Peoples' Friendship university of Russia (RUDN University) (2018-02 – 2019-06)

The objective was to ensure the accuracy, reliability and quality of laboratory procedures and testing processes in support of industrial operations. This required strict adherence to standardised protocols, regular equipment calibration, precise sample preparation, and verification that all experimental results met the required specifications for product development, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance.

Inspection and quality control at Ezz El Aarb (2016-03 – 2017-02)

In my role as a Quality Control & Assurance Specialist in the cement brick manufacturing industry, I was responsible for ensuring consistent product quality across batches. This involved monitoring critical parameters such as shape, size, colour and compressive strength. I conducted regular inspections and testing to maintain compliance with internal standards and industry regulations, and developed and implemented protocols to minimise defects and enhance uniformity.

I collaborated closely with production teams to identify and resolve quality issues and maintained detailed documentation for traceability and continuous improvement. I was responsible for overseeing the calibration and maintenance of testing equipment, participating in internal audits and external certification processes, and providing staff training on quality standards. I also supported research and development initiatives by assessing the impact of new materials and processes on product quality.

Teacher assistant at Arab Academy for science and technology (2014-10 – 2017-03)

Teaching courses related to construction and building material, concrete technology and quality control/assurance.

Construction engineer at Almaza for constructions (2015-02 – 2016-02)

As part of my role in ensuring that buildings comply with both regulatory standards and architectural specifications, I was responsible for overseeing several critical phases of construction. This included reviewing concrete formwork to ensure structural integrity and precision, inspecting steel reinforcement arrangements and detailing for compliance with design requirements, and supervising concrete casting and surface finishing to achieve optimal durability and appearance. I also monitored the curing process to guarantee strength development and prevent premature degradation.

Beyond structural elements, I ensured quality execution in tiling and floor coverings, as well as painting, maintaining high standards of workmanship and aesthetic consistency throughout the project lifecycle.

Doctorate of Philosophy in Engineering, manufacturing and construction – Ghent University (2020-10 – 2025-10)

Training in Micromechanics of cementitious materials – MAI/ITECH (2023-09 – 2023-09)

Training in Decommissioning and Waste Management – European commission's science and knowledge service (JRC) (2023-07 – 2023-07)

Training in Innovation technologies in construction – Peoples' Friendship university of Russia (RUDN/PFUR University) (2019-07 – 2019-08)

Master of science with honours in Theory and design of buildings and structures – Peoples' Friendship university of Russia (RUDN/PFUR University) (2017-09 – 2019-06)

Training in Nanotechnology in the production of modern building material composite – Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (2018-12 – 2019-02)

Bachelor of science in civil engineering in Building and civil engineering – Alexandria University, Faculty of engineering, department of Civil and structural engineering (2008-08 – 2013-06)