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PhD - Assessment of Regenerative Materials for Urban Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term

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The Chair of Sustainable Construction at ETH Zurich invites applications for a 4-year PhD position within the SNF-funded National Research Programme NRP82 project “NewUrbES – Co-creating new urban leaving space for biodiversity and ecosystem services” This interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research project will explore how the built environment can be reimagined as an active component of urban ecosystems. The PhD student will more specifically work on the building materials. Join us to design materials for more than human living spaces.

Project background

This PhD position is part of the SNF-funded interdisciplinary project "NewUrbES – Co-creating New Urban Living Spaces for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services", which aims to radically rethink the role of buildings and cities as active ecosystems. NewUrbES proposes a paradigm shift in urban design, planning, and construction by transforming urban infrastructure into “more-than-human” living spaces—environments designed to be inhabited by both people and non-human species.

Through a transdisciplinary approach that brings together ecology, architecture, planning, and material science, the project explores how design, materials, and governance can be leveraged to regenerate ecosystem functions within cities. Anchored in two real-world laboratories in Switzerland, the project uses design-science loops, empirical studies, and serious games to test, evaluate, and implement ecological design interventions. The aim is to generate both scientific insights and practical tools for biodiversity-positive urban transformation.

The consortium is led by Adrienne Gret Regamey at ETH Zurich, Institute for Spatial and Landscape Planning in collaboration with Christoph Küffer at OST University of Applied Sciences in Institut für Landschaft und Freiraum, Maria Connen at ETH Zurich, Professor for Architecture and Housing, Guillaume Habert at ETH Zurich, main supervisor of the PhD and head of Institute for infrastructure and construction management. The research partners are working closely together with a practice partner, the Stiftung Natur & Wirtschaft who has been leading biodiversity question in practice since more than 20 years.

Finally the research project is embedded into a wider National Research program on biodiversity (NRP82) which seek to understand the challenges facing, and opportunities offered by, biodiversity and ecosystem services, and to develop practical solutions for their conservation and sustainable use. 15 research projects on the various aspects of biodiversity have been selected. NewUrbES is one of them.

Job description

The doctoral researcher will be based at the Chair of Sustainable Construction and will focus on the material dimension of biodiversity-oriented design. The PhD will contribute to three interconnected research tasks:

  • Task 1: Biodiversity Footprint Assessment
    Evaluate the biodiversity impacts of conventional and alternative construction materials across their life cycle combining conventional process -based inventory with Multi-Regional Input-Output databases allowing to map the extended supply chains and to couple such model with land use change to identify global biodiversity impact of sector activities. The objective of this task is to develop hybrid LCA method accounting for biodiversity losses across global supply chains and apply it to building materials used in Switzerland.

  • Task 2: Ecosystem Services Evaluation
    Assess the potential of construction materials and design strategies to enhance urban ecosystem services, such as habitat provision, water retention, microclimate regulation, and pollination.

  • Task 3: Regenerative Material Prototyping
    Translating ecosystem and biodiversity requirement into material performance requirement. This will allow to revisit the pallette of existing building materials (conventional and emerging) and propose some potential solutions for various constructve function. Ultimately, the PhD candidate can design and experimentally test nature-based and regenerative building materials that minimize ecological harm and promote biodiversity through their physical, chemical, and ecological properties.

Finally, the insights gained from Tasks 1.1 to 1.3 will be synthesized through a focus group discussion with stakeholders. This exchange will inform the development of key performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of new designs of the more-than-human urban living spaces. The resulting indicators will be tailored for practical application by various professional groups, including architects, building material industries, urban planners and investors, ensuring their relevance and usability across disciplines

Profile

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with:

  • A Master's degree in civil/environmental engineering, ecology, material science, environmental systems, or related fields.
  • Motivation to work on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and sustainable material strategies for the built environment.
  • Prior experience with life cycle assessment (LCA), MRIO or ecosystem modeling is a clear advantage.
  • Excellent communication skills in English; knowledge in French and/or German is desirable (but not required) due to stakeholder engagement in different regions.
  • Motivation to work in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary settings and engage with practice-based partners.

Beyond excellence in research, we look for a person acting with integrity, who is authentic and empathic.

Workplace

Workplace

We offer

  • Working in an exciting project carried out in a small multicultural and interdisciplinary research group at ETH Zurich. 
  • A dynamic and supportive research environment at ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading universities in science and technology.
  • Close collaboration with a national consortium of academic and practice partners.
  • Involvement in groundbreaking research shaping policy and implementation of biodiversity concenr in Switzerland and beyond.
  • Access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities for material testing and characterization.
  • Salary rate 2 in line with ETH Zurich standards and above SNF standards.
  • Flexible working hours, home office, large independance.
Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Curious? So are we.

Application process:

  • Application until 5th of September
  • Online interviews by mid september
  • Start date: Expected November 1st to be discussed and agreed with selected candidates
  • We seek for excellence above all and are happy to discuss starting date

Please submit your application including:

  • A motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
  • CV
  • A writing sample (e.g., Master's thesis)
  • Contact information for two references

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about the Chair of Sustainable Construction can be found on our website. 

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Dr. Guillaume Habert (habertg@ethz.ch) (no applications).

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.