项目介绍

2024年11月17日

The PhD position in the Science, Engineering and Technology group at KU Leuven is supervised by Prof. Jan Wurm from the research group “Architectural Engineering” of the Department of Architecture, Sint-Lucas Brussels and Ghent Campuses and by Prof. Chiara Piccardo from the research group “Building Physics and Sustainable Design” of the Department of Civil Engineering, Ghent and Aalst Campuses, under the cutting edge collaborative research project ‘DigiFab – Digital Process Chain for Energy Renovations Using Prefabrication’, funded by the EU Horizon program.
The PhD position is primarily based at the Leuven Campus (Arenberg), with research periods at the Ghent Campus. It is envisaged that the PhD Candidate will carry put regular visits to our key industry partner in Austria.

KU Leuven is a highly international university that ranks among the best in the world in terms of research and innovation. It is spread over several campuses in Flanders (Belgium). The Architectural Engineering research group aims for innovation in the design of buildings by approaching architecture from an integrated design engineering point of view. The emphasis is on the technical aspects of architecture: structure, materials, services, and comfort requirements are considered in a multidisciplinary setting in order quantify, assess, and improve the quality, cost, and sustainability of buildings and the built environment. One growing research line is the exploration of bio-based building materials and construction methods to develop and test novel building systems taking full advantage of bio-based materials, processes and properties within the context of a regenerative, circular bioeconomy. The research group Building Physics and Sustainable Design carries out performance analysis of buildings in their environment, using methods for holistic design, construction and operation of high performance buildings.

Website van de eenheid

Project

The project aims to transform the renovation process by developing a digital workflow and adaptable prefabricated modules to achieve zero emission building standards following the EPBD. The objectives are to reduce environmental impact, renovation time and costs through data centralization, co-creation with occupants, automation and use of bio-based materials. The position is embedded in an international consortium of leading partners from industry and academia with a focus on applied research, to develop and test façade retrofit solutions up to a Technical Readiness Level of TRL8. 
Approximately 85% of the European Union (EU) building stock was built before 2000, with 75-85% of it most likely to continue being in use by 2050. This stock is extremely large (around 20 billion m2), energy inefficient (42% of EU energy was used in buildings in 2021), and its renovation rate is only 1% per year. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) aims to reduce emission by 60% in the building sector by 2030 compared to 2015, reaching climate neutrality by 2050. Achieving such ambitious aims requires large-scale solutions. Building prefabrication has been suggested to reach the proposed renovation targets. However, there are still various barriers, such as high variability of building typologies, frequent delays during construction attributable to missing information and inadequate logistical planning. 
The PhD student will actively contribute to the development of work packages and specific tasks within the DigiFab project, collaborating with project partners on shared tasks and leading those related to KU Leuven. The focus of the PhD research is the developing and prototyping of adaptable prefabricated modules for the renovation of existing buildings to achieve zero emission buildings (ZEB) unlocking the potential of bio-based materials and related technologies. Specifically, the PhD research will contribute to expanding the database of bio-based materials gathering techno-economic and environmental data focusing on the selected case study countries Austria, Greece and Spain. Additionally, the PhD student will develop scenarios and concepts for demo-site countries to integrate bio-based materials into scalable prefabricated wall and façade panels for low-disruptive renovations to allow the prototyping of selected technologies. Next to the desk research, integrated façade system design and system optimisation, the scope includes the coordination of a study of initial needs for the renovation process with several partners, to map the landscape of relevant regulations, policies, processes and standards related to building renovation.  

On one side, the research requires practical attitude for developing building solutions. On the other side, the research is challenged by the definition of suitable research methods for testing and assessing such innovative solutions. 

As a PhD Researcher, you will be expected to do the following:

• Carry out research to the highest scientific standards, including theoretical and experimental work. 
• Engage with stakeholders in industry to understand challenges in practice and identify needs for applied research and innovation pathways. 
• Pro-actively collaborate with colleagues at KU Leuven and beyond to establish an integrated inter-disciplinary research basis and foster partnerships and networks.
• Support teaching activities related to research field at bachelor’s and master’s degree (not exceeding 20% of your time). 
• Actively participate in the science community with one peer reviewed research paper and one presentation at an international conference per year. 
• Support approx. one grant application per year in a related field. 
• Oversee student assistants and support their development.  
• Spend at least 50% of your time on campus. 

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with the following attributes: 

• You have a Master’s degree in one of the following fields: Building Technology, Architecture, Timber Construction, Civil Engineering (Technology), or Product Design with emphasis on (bio-based) building systems. 
• As the employment should start as soon as possible, in the case of non-EU candidates, a valid visum or the ability to obtain one at short notice is a requirement.
• You have relevant theoretical and practical experience in building technology, bio-based materials and building physics, sustainability and life cycle assessment. Professional experience is an asset. 
• You have well-developed written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of the German language is an asset. 
• You are proactive, with a demonstrable ability to work independently while also being part of a team. 
• You are willing to travel between the Leuven and Ghent Campuses and also to spend a research stay for secondment in another research institution in Austria. 
• You have excellent time management, communication, and coordination skills, dealing with a number of different project partners. 

Offer

• We offer a full-time appointment in a doctoral fellowship (net wage equals net wage scale 43) to pursue your professional development in a stimulating, international and inter-disciplinary research environment. 
• You will be appointed for the duration of 1 year, extendable to a maximum of 4 years in total (depending on positive interim evaluations). 
• Besides opportunities offered by the research group, further doctoral training for PhD candidates is provided by the KU Leuven Arenberg Doctoral School (https://set.kuleuven.be/phd), known for its strong focus on both future academics and scientifically trained professionals who valorise their expertise and competences in a non-academic context. More information on the training opportunities can be found via the following link: https://set.kuleuven.be/phd/dopl/training.htm. 
• An international work environment with dedicated colleagues, situated in the hearth of Europe. The Leuven and Ghent Campuses are a welcoming facility located a few minutes away from the historical city centres. Furthermore, both cities are located in a strategic position, with excellent transport connections to the main cities of Belgium and neighbourhood countries. Further information can be found on the website of the university: https://www.kuleuven.be/english/life-at-ku-leuven 

Scale 43
Working conditions
Website unit Architectural Engineering
Website unit Building Physics and Sustainable Design

Interested?

Applications should be submitted through KU Leuven’s online platform with: 

1. detailed Curriculum Vitae, 

2. a motivation letter of max. 2 pages, including a description of your research interests, your background and expertise in relation to the required attributes, 

3. An excerpt of your project portfolio presenting 3 selected projects relevant to the vacancy,  

4. BSc and MSc degree transcripts attached, 

5. Names and contact information of two references, 

6. Proof of well-developed written and oral communication skills in English. 

For more information please contact Prof. Dr. Jan Wurm, mail: jan.wurm@kuleuven.be.You can apply for this job no later than December 15, 2024 via the online application tool

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

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