Postdoc position in sustainable and circular housing design

Do you want to contribute to research in the field of sustainable and circular housing design?

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to our pioneering research focused on resilient future housing design, exploring new buildings and the transformation of existing structures. Collaborating with a team of senior researchers, another post-doc, and doctoral students, you will contribute to the development and consolidation of the research area known as Architecture, Building & Society. This interdisciplinary field merges architectural design and sociology, emphasizing the interaction between spatial configuration, user experience, and social dynamics through the perspectives of sustainability, resource efficiency, and circular societies.

Project description
You will take part in a research project called "Dwellology" - People, sustainability and energy in future homes. This project investigates the interplay between architectural design, human behaviour, and resource utilisation, aiming to enhance an understanding of how spatial characteristics influence behaviour and, by extension, energy and resource consumption. The ultimate goal is to develop tools for decision-making and design to revolutionize sustainable and resilient housing planning and construction. The project involves empirical case studies, workshops, and feedback seminars with industry stakeholders, and is a collaboration between Chalmers and the universities of Lund and Linköping. A network of industry partners contributes to knowledge development and dissemination.

You will also work on developing new research fields with the research group. One suggested direction is the reuse of existing buildings to solve the need for housing while meeting ambitions for resource efficiency to address the current climate crises.

Information about the division and the department
The post-doc is positioned at the Department for Architecture and Civil Engineering , in the Research area Architecture, Building & Society which has around 20 members. The research area belongs to the organisational unit, the division of Building Design which embraces research and teaching in building design and planning. The division consists of permanent staff, doctoral students, a post-doc, as well as artistic and adjunct staff with a foot in architectural practice.

The Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering has about 290 employees encompassing a broad theoretical knowledge base, where design-based artistic architectural research meets engineering, social sciences and the humanities. The combination of all of these perspectives allows for great interdisciplinary advancement in the field and a broader discussion of various aspects of sustainability. Together, we provide a comprehensive environment for architecture and civil engineering, well-equipped to take on the common challenges of building a sustainable future. The Department hosts two centres for collaboration with the building sector and utility of research which are both of particular interest for the research area Architecture, building & society, The Center for Housing Architecture and The Center for Healthcare Architecture.

Major responsibilities
As a post-doc, you will work closely with the research group but you will take significant responsibility for planning and executing your research. Your findings are expected to be published in high-impact journals and shared through popular articles and reports. You will also take part in organising and participating in meetings, and workshops, and attend international conferences and national seminars.

Qualifications
Candidates should hold a master’s degree and a PhD in Architecture or a related field, with experience in housing design and research. You should be well-versed in sustainable building practices and the circular economy, proficient in qualitative research methods, data management, and analysis, and fluent in English. Experience in publishing in international scientific journals is required. Additional qualifications include familiarity with the Swedish language, Swedish housing traditions, and quantitative research methods. You are self-propelled, creative and have problem-solving analytical abilities. You have experience in organising workshops and set-up meetings with non-academic partners. You are relationship-oriented and genuinely interested in understanding other people’s views and sharing knowledge and experience.

To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must hold a doctoral degree awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). Exceptions from the 3-year limit can be made for longer periods resulting from parental leave, sick leave or military service*.

* The date shown in your doctoral degree certificate is the date we use, as this is the date you have met all requirements for the doctoral degree.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .
Read more about working at Chalmers  and our benefits  for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence . Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with 20240286 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV:(Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: 2024-05-30

For questions, please contact:

Professor Paula Femenias, Head of Division Building Design
[email protected]

Dr. Anna Braide, Building Design
[email protected]

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!

URL to this page
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/work-with-us/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=12910&rmlang=UK