Postdoctoral position in Digital Technologies for Circular Construction in Zürich

The Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified postdoctoral candidate in the field of digital technologies for circular economy in the construction sector. The successful candidate will join a dynamic research team working on innovative approaches to enhance circular construction practices. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of tools and strategies that promote circular management of building components and projects, enabling a more sustainable and regenerative built environment.

The selected candidate will be involved in developing new standards and metrics for circular construction, as well as digital tools for automated inventories, digital product passports (DPPs), matchmaking of reused elements and digital and physical tracking and tracing systems. The project operates at the intersection of civil engineering, architecture and computer science.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Development of theoretical concepts for metrics, data standardization and tools leveraging digital technologies for circular construction, together with industry and research consortium partners in Switzerland
• Exploration of implementation possibilities for automated workflows and digital technologies in new and existing construction projects
• Coordination of research projects and supervision of students working in the fields of data structures for circular construction, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital inventory tools, DPPs, scanning technologies, machine learning, matchmaking algorithms
• Validation and testing of proposed and developed solutions in pilot projects
• Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders such as construction companies, standardization bodies, consultants, and other industry partners to promote the adoption of the developed data template and tools
• Active participation in research activities, including publishing scientific papers and presenting findings at conferences and workshops
• Supervision of Master, and/or Bachelor students

To be considered for these positions, you should meet the following qualifications:

• PhD in architecture, civil engineering with strong IT skills, or computer science with knowledge of the built environment, or related fields
• Strong research skills with an understanding of circular economy practices in the construction industry
• Knowledge and experience in data analysis and database management, as well as emerging technologies applied to the construction sector, such as BIM, scanning and machine learning
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively, while also fostering interdisciplinary collaboration
• Strong communication and writing skills in English, enabling effective collaboration and the preparation of scientific publications and reports
• Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement. Ability to work with industry partners in German is a plus
• Ability to work in a team and together with industry partners
• Take initiative, be results-oriented, organized, and creative

Joining our research teams offers a stimulating and collaborative environment, with a competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth and interaction with international experts in the field of circular construction, and computer science. The positions are offered on a fixed-term basis. The initial contract duration is 1 year, with a possibility of extension based on performance evaluation.