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PhD - Development of new metrics for assessing the regenerative capacity of building projects

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 NRP81 project “Implementing bio-regional circular construction economy – Towards a New Vernacular.” This interdisciplinary research aims to transform construction practices in Switzerland by advancing the use of regenerative materials—such as earth, straw, timber, and reused components—through new metrics, knowledge platforms, and collaborative experimentation. Join us in shaping new imaginaries.

Project background

The project involves an interdisciplinary team of architect (Alia Bengana, HEIA-Fribourg), engineer (Sebastien Lasvaux, HEIG-VD Yverdon), economist (Suzanne Kytzia, OST Rapperswil) and geographer (Armelle Choplin, UniGe Geneva) in addition to the home institution, the chair of sustainable construction specialised in Life Cycle Assessment and material science (Guillaume Habert, ETH Zurich). The PhD candidate will be supported by experts on all these disciplines working within the project and the role of the PhD will be more specifically to develop metrics to assess the regenerative capacity of Building projects.

Additionnally to the research team, there is a team of professional architects and engineers having worked and executed building projects with such materials who can provide technical expertise as well as detailed case studies. Finally the development of the new metrics will be tested and refined within two living labs (Toggenburg and Geneva).

This 4 year project is embedded within a wider National Research program (NRP81) involving 13 project teams working on various aspects of the Swiss Building Culture (Baukultur). The program aims for a Social and Ecological Transition of the Built Environment and to improve our understanding of processes in the built environment and their evolution through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration. More specifically, the programme wants

  • to link Baukultur to social and ecological transition;
  • to promote the use of materials and resources and standards, taking into account sufficiency, traceability and responsibility;
  • to reconnect Baukultur with society;
  • to reaffirm the specificity of each place (built environment, site);
  • to address traditional and new aesthetics, cultural techniques and values of the built environment;
  • to adapt and define the necessary legal framework and certification processes;
  • to promote research on responsible investment methods;
  • to establish new and strengthen existing collaborations with institutions and civil society

Job description

You will conduct interdisciplinary research to develop new metrics for assessing the regenerative capacity of building projects, focusing on the socio-economic and territorial implications of material choices. Your work will bridge civil engineering, economics, and social geography, and will contribute to:

  • Mapping and analysing monetary flows within construction supply chains.
  • Building open-access databases linking construction costs to spatial, economic, and environmental impacts.
  • Developing spatially and temporally explicit indicators of regenerative potential at both building and regional scale.
  • Supporting the creation and application of a regenerative index to be tested in two living labs (urban Geneva and rural Toggenburg).
  • Collaborating with stakeholders, architects, policy-makers, and practitioners through workshops, interviews, and co-creation sessions.

The PhD student will be embedded at ETH Zurich’s Institute of Construction and Infrastructure, co-supervised by the University of Geneva and the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland (OST), ensuring strong interdisciplinary exposure.

We aim for quantitative indicators building upon Life Cycle Assesssment and Multi Regional Input Output Analysis in order to link material flow with monetary flows and stakeholders along the value chain. Semi-quantitative and qualitative indocators will complement the quantitative metrics in order to draw an holistic framework to assess regenerative capacity of material choices.

The PhD will build upon previous work in the group such as:

  • Ioannidou D., Zerbi S., García de Soto B., Habert G. 2017. Where does the money go? Economic flow analysis of construction projects. Building Research and Information. DOI: 10.1080/09613218.2017.1294419
  • Meglin R., Habert G., Kytzia S. 2021. Regional Circular Economy of Building Materials: Environmental and Economic Assessment combining Material-Flow-Analysis, Input-Output-Analysis, and Life-Cycle-Assessment. Journal of Industrial ecology, DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13205
  • Komkova A., Habert G. 2023. Optimal supply chain networks for waste materials used in alkali activated concrete fostering circular economy. Resources, Conservation & Recycling. DOI:10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.106949

Profile

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with:

  • A Master's degree in civil/environmental engineering, architecture, environmental economics, or related fields.
  • Strong interest in sustainable construction, circular economy, and regenerative design.
  • Solid analytical and data skills, with experience in LCA, LCC, or GIS considered an asset.
  • Excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in French and/or German is desirable 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 equipped with excellent computational and lab facilities.
  • 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 in Switzerland and beyond.
  • Opportunity to contribute to the Atlas of Regenerative Materials.
  • 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 22nd of August
  • Online interviews betwen 1st and 5th of September
  • Start date: Expected October 1st to be discussed and agreed with selected candidates
  • We seek for excellence above all and are ready to delay 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.