Postdoctoral Position: Advanced Prestressing Strategies for 3D Concrete Printing in Zürich

100%, Zurich, temporary

The research-group Digital Building Technologies at the Institute for Technology in Architecture (ITA), Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich investigates large scale additive manufacturing for construction and related computational design strategies. The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) is developing new pre-stressing solutions for structural elements based on new materials such as iron-based memory steel, carbon fiber reinforced polymers and expanding concrete.

With 3D concrete extrusion, custom concrete elements can be fabricated without formwork. An interdisciplinary research team embedded in the National Competence Centre of Research in Digital Fabrication (NCCR DFAB) is developing a concrete extrusion process. In order to apply concrete extrusion at building-scale, new reinforcement strategies are needed. Therefore, in a joint research study together with Empa, we want to investigate advanced prestressing strategies for optimized 3D printed concrete elements.

We offer a full-time Postdoc position for the following research activities: You will lead the research project with the goal to reduce weight and material of structural concrete elements, exploiting the full potential of both the concrete extrusion process and new prestressing strategies. You will design and develop structurally optimized 3D printed concrete elements, their integrated reinforcement layout, and strategies for its prestressing. Your responsibilities include conceptualization, computational design, analysis and optimization of the elements together with 1:1 prototyping and testing. You will work in an interdisciplinary team together with architects, engineers and material scientists with a focus on advanced building materials and advanced prestressing strategies studied and developed at ETH Zurich and Empa. Commencement of the project will be the beginning of 2020 (can be negotiated), the duration of the project is set for 2 years.

Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in civil engineering, architecture or a related field. He/She should have experience in computational structural analysis, computational geometry, digital fabrication, performing experiments in the laboratory and deep knowledge of advanced structural materials. Basic programming skills are desired. Candidates should feel comfortable with working in highly interdisciplinary teams and different locations (Zürich and Dübendorf). A fluent level of English is mandatory, German skills are welcome. Possessing strong internal and external communication skills are required for this position.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.