Contribution
The Materials in Transition (MATR) Lab at the School of ENAC, EPFL, is seeking a self-driven and inquisitive post-doctoral researcher to start between August and October 2026, in the field of sustainable construction. The research integrates dynamic material value-chain analyses, ownership models, technical performance assessment, and design-for-disassembly strategies to support the reuse and adaptation of building components.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Analysis and synthesis of existing research on material value chains and building stock inventories to quantify the adaptation potential of construction elements
- Investigations into building ownership models that support the reuse of building elements
- Identification and analysis of underlying mechanisms for deterioration in building envelope performance
- Development of standardised test protocols for non-destructive assessment of building envelope elements
- Support for ongoing practical research on design for disassembly and engineered reversible connection systems
MATR Lab
The incoming candidate will be part of a growing and dynamic research team at the MATR lab, led by Prof. Rebecca Hartwell, where we seek to:
- Integrate resilience into the design and application of construction materials in response to evolving socio-economic challenges, such as climate change, social equity, occupant health, and strategic independence in material supply-chains.
- Develop comprehensive digital assessment methods to evaluate whole-life material flows and their associated impact across sectors to inform policy and practice.
- Engineer whole-life adaptability at the product-scale through material science and design.
