Three Postdoctoral Positions in Circular Engineering for Architecture at ETH Zurich ETH Zurich in Switzerland

ETH Zurich is advertising three postdoctoral positions in Circular Engineering for Architecture at the Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA), led by Prof. Dr. Catherine De Wolf in the Institute of Construction and Infrastructure Management (IBI), Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG).

The research theme is digitalization towards a circular built environment, combining circular economy principles with digital innovation in construction. The three positions are embedded in major projects with strong academic and industry collaboration:

Position 1: Circular Construction — SWIRCULAR, a Swiss flagship project funded by InnoSuisse and industry partners. The work focuses on digital passports and matchmaking methods that connect reclaimed construction materials and components with new design demand.

Position 2: Circular Design — Civil Engineering and the Green Transition in the Built Environment (CEBE), an international collaborative project funded by the Villum Foundation. This position focuses on computer vision and generative AI for designing a sustainable, future-ready built environment; occasional international travel is required.

Position 3: LCA — funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). This position focuses on circularity assessment and life cycle assessment (LCA) of structures, especially steel, and studies how reusing structural elements can reduce the environmental impact of buildings and infrastructure.

Applicants should hold a PhD in civil engineering, architecture, computer science, or a related field. The chair seeks candidates with a strong interest in sustainability and circularity in the built environment, excellent publication and presentation records, strong English communication skills, and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team. German is an advantage for Position 1.

Relevant expertise includes: large language models, graph theory, design optimization, advanced programming; generative AI, computer vision, information extraction, real options, future-ready design; and life cycle assessment, structural design and analysis, and circular design strategies such as reuse of structural elements.

The positions are 100% workload and are reviewed on a rolling basis until filled. Applications must be submitted through ETH Zurich’s online portal only. Required documents include a cover letter specifying the position(s), CV with publications, research statement, short video link (YouTube/Vimeo), and contact details for at least two referees; a portfolio or selected publications is optional.