PhD position: Data-driven modeling of urban scale building integrated photovoltaic in Zürich

100%, Zurich, temporary

The Institute of Technology in Architecture (ITA) is a leading research institute on building technology, focusing on sustainability, building systems and digital fabrication.

The announced position will be part of an international collaboration between ETH Zurich and the Singapore National Research Foundation (Future Cities Lab, FCL Global). FCL Global will form an international knowledge hub with the capabilities to conduct fully transdisciplinary and comparative research on the complex challenges of urbanization and sustainability. It will build upon FCL Singapore, which, since 2010, within the frame of the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC), grew into one of the most impactful urban science research centres in the world. FCL Global will innovate upon those foundations with the benefit of two distinctive regional perspectives: one from the tropics (evolving from existing FCL in Singapore); and another from temperate Europe (embedded at ETH Zurich).

We offer a PhD position within the Chair of Architecture and Building Systems (A/S), Prof. Dr. Arno Schlüter, on data-driven modeling of urban scale building integrated photovoltaic (UBIPV) to promote renewable energy integration of future decentralized energy landscapes. You will be working as a researcher in an interdisciplinary team of architects, engineers, computer scientists and economists.

We are looking for highly motivated and self-organized candidates with an excellent Masters Degree in a natural science or engineering domain (with experience and strong interest in the built environment / architecture) or in architecture (with experience and strong interest in engineering / data science), preferably with a focus on data-driven methods, building and urban energy simulation, energy systems modeling and optimization and other relevant modeling / simulation experience. Experience in programming (Python, Matlab, etc.), 3D modeling (e.g. Rhinoceros 3D), photogrammetry, Geographic Information System (GIS) and/or building controls is beneficial but not a must. We require excellent communication skills in English, both verbally and written. First publications are welcome. You should be able to combine strong individual research with teamwork within the project. We explicitly encourage female candidates to apply.

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.