(Junior) Researcher

Interested in bio-fabricated construction materials? Join this research project that investigates low-energy, biodegradable, and carbon-sequestering composites, advancing circularity and regenerative design!

Job description

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment at Delft University of Technology is looking for a researcher to work on the broader transdisciplinary European research project Re-Growth, supervised by Professor Mauro Overend and Assistant Professor Olga Ioannou. The project is funded by the NEB-Horizon Europe research program.

The broader Re-Growth project addresses systemic gaps in the sustainable construction ecosystem by developing and validating novel bio-fabricated materials that unite regenerative design, aesthetic quality, and environmental performance. Re-Growth combines science, design, and citizen engagement in a transdisciplinary co-creation process. It delivers a technical and methodological framework for next-generation bio-fabricated construction materials, bridging biotechnology, digital design, and societal participation to accelerate Europe’s transition toward circular, inclusive, and beautiful built environments.

In your researcher role at TU Delft, you will focus on developing structural biofabricated polymer composites, reinforced laminates, and sandwich panels using microbial extracellular polymeric substances derived from wastewater as a binding matter. These will be functionalized as load-bearing floors, facades, and wall elements.

Research will further explore how these materials perform against structural, thermal, acoustic, fire, health, durability, and aesthetic requirements under variable climatic conditions following EU standards. Additional considerations will include repairability, compatibility with existing waste systems, and realistic scalability.

Key activities include:

1. Establishing a participatory, transdisciplinary framework uniting architecture, design, engineering, social sciences, and the arts to co-create next-generation bio-fabricated materials through co-creation workshops and consultations with a Community of Practice and a Transdisciplinary Board.
2. Experimenting with and validating composite materials that combine sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality. This involves engineering, design, and multi-scale characterization of properties.
3. Organising focus groups, design reviews, and open studios to elevate aesthetic appreciation and societal acceptance through focus groups and surveys, and using the results to optimise formulations, finishes, and application awareness.
4. Crafting scaled models and building a selected number of 1:1 scale demonstrators to enhance co-experiential, multi-actor testing and validate desirability.
5. Exploring mass-scale feasibility and CE market readiness to address regulatory and societal barriers to adoption through a digital and robotic manufacturing framework.

You will be part of a transdisciplinary consortium consisting of more than 15 members. The candidate will publish scientific articles, participate in international workshops and consortium meetings, and contribute modestly to teaching activities within the faculty.

A PhD is preferred; however, candidates without a PhD but with a master’s degree in Materials Engineering or Building Sciences are encouraged to apply.

Job requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• A doctoral dissertation or a master’s degree in the field of Materials Engineering or Building Sciences.
• A strong interest in bio-materials and bio-fabrication.
• Experience with material processing and product design, demonstrated through a relevant graduation thesis and/or at least one relevant publication.
• Strong skills in critical thinking, scientific rigor, and creative design-based research.
• Excellent oral, visual, and written communication skills in English at C1 level.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to build collaborative, interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary networks.
• Work experience is not essential but will be considered an asset.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means joining an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty of Architecture & the Built Environment

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.