Researcher, Circular Economy Potential Modelling (C3133)

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: Permanent
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

In der aktuellen Covid-19 Situation laufen die Rekrutierungen weiter. Es kann dabei allerdings zu Verzögerungen kommen. Vielen Dank für Ihr Verständnis.


100%, Singapore, fixed-term


ETH Zurich is one of the leading universities of the world with a strong focus on science and engineering. In 2010 it established the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to do interdisciplinary research on pressing problems.

The centre currently runs several research programmes with the Future Cities Laboratory (FCL)  as one of the programmes. It is home to a community of over 100 PhD, postdoctoral and Professorial researchers working on diverse themes related to sustainable cities and resilient infrastructure systems. In the course of their work, researchers actively collaborate with universities, research institutes, industry, and government agencies with the aim of offering practical solutions. 


Project background

The Circular Future Cities project (CFC) aims to develop a systems approach for informing the design of circular buildings with circular material flows in urban areas. This urban-scale systemic perspective enables us to study new technologies and their interdependencies at the level of the circular economy itself. The project will provide integrated frameworks and tools based on advanced digital technology for informing design and deploying effective circular-economy resources solutions.

For more information on the project, consult our web page , or watch this recent lecture about the project.

CFC is looking for talented and motivated professionals to study, design, and develop these new circular technologies.

Join us if you want to:

  • Work in an attractive workplace in Singapore, in a unique and world-leading research environment.
  • Join an international team of highly talented researchers from top universities.
  • Have the opportunity to shape and develop cutting edge research in circular economy in construction.

Job description

Within the project, the researcher will focus on the development of a `Circular Economy Potential’ (CEP) model to estimate material recovery yields and rates.  

The model combines existing and new models and indicators for constructional concepts and qualities that affect material recovery (e.g. design for disassembly, building adaptation, maintainability). The modelling work includes semantic and graph-based modelling of the connections and relationships between materials, components and buildings (i.e. configurational modelling), and the development and application of indicators and evaluation models on the resulting configurational models. We will develop the CEP model for use in a Building Information Modelling environment.

Your key responsibilities will be:

  • Supporting the research and development of the Circular Economy Potential model, advised by Dr Pieter Herthogs (SEC) and Prof Rudi Stouffs (NUS). This work includes, a.o.:
    • Configurational modelling of buildings, building components, and connections.
    • Developing and adapting material recovery yield models
    • Developing specific scripts and components to implement the model in a BIM environment.
    • Testing and validating new evaluation models and indicators.
  • Supporting the research and project efforts of the Circular Future Cities project in general. This includes, a.o.:
    • Working on project coordination tasks for the SEC module team, which includes attending FCL meetings, preparing reports and other documentation, …
    • Participating in and contributing to team meetings and interactions with stakeholders.
    • Supporting other project researchers.

Your profile

For these responsibilities, you have to:

  • Have a Master’s degree in a field related to engineering, architecture, or computer science. At least one of your degrees (Bachelor or Master) needs to be strongly related to Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC).  
  • Have demonstrable experience developing evaluation models or indicator models from the ground up (demonstrated through academic publications, course work reports, portfolio).
    • This experience has to be related to AEC topics.
    • Experience with configurational modelling, graph-based models, or semantic models is a significant benefit.
    • Experience with BIM is a significant benefit. Experience with 3D modelling is mandatory.
    • Experience with LCA is a plus.
  • Have experience or interest in topics related to the topic, such as computational design, performative design, circular economy in construction, design for change, or life cycle analysis.
  • Be a self-motivated and independent learner, who is not afraid to explore new topics and master new tasks.
  • Be a proactive communicator who can signal issues and can commit to targets. 
  • Be detail-oriented and meticulous in your work.
  • Have strong communication and writing skills.

To further highlight your suitability, demonstrate that you:

  • Have been part of collaborations between people from various (scientific) backgrounds.
  • Can present your work and progress in an engaging and effective way.
  • Are a team player.
  • Have experience applying quantitative and qualitative methods within one project.

Singapore-ETH Centre

The Singapore-ETH Centre provides a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment to researchers working on diverse themes focussed on sustainable and liveable cities, resilient urban systems, and patient-centric healthcare. The centre is home to a community of over 100 doctoral, postdoctoral and professorial researchers working in three main programmes: Future Cities Laboratory, Future Resilient Systems, and Future Health Technologies.

Working, teaching and research at Singapore-ETH Centre

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