PhD student position in life cycle optimisation of building design

The built environment is central to the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption and the building sector is one of the least digitalised of all sectors. Furthermore, the built environment has a big influence on people's wellbeing and social interactions. However, in early design phases, little information is available and decisions are mostly guided by intuition. Therefore, the newly established research stream Computational Design within the research group Sustainable Building focusses especially on digital approaches to support the early design phases of sustainable buildings and cities.

Project description
This PhD position is part of a Formas project with the aim to develop stakeholder-specific decision support for environmental and economic optimization of buildings in early design phases. The three main objectives include 1) combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) into a consistent framework for the Swedish context, 2) implementing it into a design-integrated tool and linking it with computational optimisers, 3) developing intuitive and stakeholder-specific visualisations of the results. Furthermore, the potential links to Social Life Cycle Assessment and the applicability of Artificial Intelligence for decission support should be explored. A close collaboration with the Digital Twin City Centre (DTCC) at Chalmers ensures an integration with the digital platform and access to latest technological developments.

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering (ACE) represents a broad field of knowledge theory ranging from natural sciences and engineering to social sciences, humanities and design-based artistic research. These different perspectives enable strong interdisciplinary development and a broad research approach to different aspects of sustainability.

The Division of Building Technology brings together knowledge from Building Physics, Building Materials, Infrastructure Physics and Sustainable building. Sustainable building deals with concepts, tools and strategies to enhance the sustainability performance of construction materials, building products, road infrastructures, and entire cities.

Major responsibilities
The successful candidate for this position has the qualifications and abilities to contribute to the research area of Computational Sustainable Design on an international level. A major part of the work includes developing novel methods based on a life cycle perspective and implementing these in tools. Benefits of novel digital methods will ultimately be tested with stakeholders in a real-life project. Interdisciplinary collaboration with other PhD students and collegues at Chalmers, for example in the DTCC, is expected. The position may include teaching or other departmental duties up to a maximum of 20 %.

Contract terms
You will be employed by Chalmers on a full-time temporary contract. The employment is limited to four years’ effective time on the PhD project, plus additional time spent on teaching and other departmental duties up to a maximum of five years. The employment is tied to successful progress of the doctoral studies, as evaluated throughout the project.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure:
To apply, please go to:https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=9099

Application deadline: 15 January, 2021