“I like how deep into a topic we can go to understand it in every possible way, and we can do this with a lot of freedom from our supervisors, but they always remain there to have those very precious discussions and feedback when needed”
Hi! Tell us a bit about yourself – What is your background, and what brought you to LMS?
My name is Qazim Llabjani. I’m in the 2nd year of my PhD at the Laloui Group/LMS. I was born and grew up here, in Switzerland but haven’t come to the Group via the normal pathway.
I actually started at LMS almost 16 years ago as an apprentice lab technician for four years. I really enjoyed the experience and seeing others running experiments and working in the lab. I realized that’s what I wanted to do, so I started as an undergraduate, studying civil engineering while still working in the industry in parallel. I gained lots of experience doing many different things, including working as a lab technician, a construction site supervisor, and a civil engineer.
I didn’t think much more about the lab until the COVID pandemic when I received a call from Prof. Laloui who suggested I might be interested in a fascinating PhD topic. It took me some time to finally decide to join LMS, but I have not regretted it since.
What is your dissertation topic?
My topic relates to deep geological radioactive waste disposal, where many processes are involved, including significant amounts of gas generated in the repository. My work is part of the European Joint Program for Radioactive Waste (EURAD). It is funded by the European Union and Nagra, and my research focuses on the gas-induced impacts on clay barriers, such as Opalinus Clay, here in Switzerland. To do this, I use advanced experimental set-ups that have been designed and built here at EPFL according to our bespoke needs. To validate my experimental results, I also perform modeling.
What does a typical day or week look like for you?
Lots of variety, actually, but what is consistent is how I organize my schedule. Every morning I write my daily objectives, take an espresso and start to work. My activities can be in the lab, where I start new tests or check and/or modify and tweak the existing set-ups as needed, or I can process my experimental data or perform numerical modeling activities in my office. I also have my Master’s teaching commitments in Geomechanics and Slope Stability during the week, which provides a chance to help the next generation of engineers and scientists.
But one of the things I look forward to most during the day is having a coffee break with colleagues to discuss our work and help solve the problems we encounter.
What’s one thing that you enjoy the most during your PhD so far?
I like how deep into a topic we can go to understand it in every possible way, and we can do this with a lot of freedom from our supervisors, but they always remain there to have those very precious discussions and feedback when needed. But it’s important that what we do is of use beyond pure research and will benefit future applications. So this is something that my supervisors, Professor Laloui and Doctor Ferrari always push; to ensure our research is useful in practical applications because this is the final goal of our research.
What is the most challenging part of it?
I would say that testing shales can be very challenging. First, it requires advanced testing equipment, which we often have to build ourselves, and then when we run the tests, they can take a long time to complete, ranging from weeks to months Also if something goes wrong, we often don’t get many chances to do it again so it must be right the first time.
Where does your research find an application?
Well, there are two levels, really. Firstly increasing the understanding of gas transport through low permeability porous media such as clayey materials is a high priority by the European Joint Programme for Radioactive Waste Management (EURAD). This topic has been gaining a lot of interest in the last few years. Secondly, on a purely scientific level, it will hopefully improve on some of the fundamental concepts of gas transportation through clays which can be used in many other applications, such as CO2 sequestration.
What excites you most about your research?
I think being at the edge of the knowledge in a topic and doing something innovative or coming up with new concepts is very exciting. Challenging but very exciting.
Why did you choose to pursue a doctorate in Civil Engineering? Compared to other subjects, not many students choose this path.
I think the built environment is crucial in our society, yet the tools used now in the industry have not changed for several decades. Therefore, I believe there is a real opportunity to develop new tools and approaches in a field that is vital for our increasingly urbanized world.
Why did you choose LMS/EPFL?
As this is where I started my career, and I already knew the lab well, it was an easy choice. Plus, I’m not sure I would have done a PhD elsewhere. Professor Laloui’s phone call played a big part in my decision.
Where do you see yourself five years after having completed your PhD?
Well, I still have two years to work on my PhD, but I am considering trying some experience abroad after that for a couple of years. And why not come back again to LMS later on?
What’s one piece of advice that you’d offer students that are thinking of doing a PhD?
What really changed for me was being able to think outside of the box and have a critical opinion on the existing literature, which will ensure you make your own opinions and concepts.
What makes LMS/Laloui Group a good place to study?
If you like to challenge yourself and be surrounded by many talented people, it is a great place. You will develop new skills and acquire plenty of knowledge.
You are Swiss, why should students come to Switzerland to study?
Obviously I am biased, but Switzerland is a beautiful country and can offer you many opportunities to achieve whatever you want if you put the effort in.
Lastly, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I really like cycling and mountain biking, and Switzerland is the perfect country for it. I only have to ride 2 minutes from home, and I’m on a trail in the forest! But my priorities have changed now that I have a three-month-old kid. So I am stuck with indoor cycling for now.