PhD Position in Heat Stress Resilience in Heritage Buildings using Spectrally Selective Window Films

Challenge: Make modernist buildings climate resilient while preserving
Change: Define application range of novel window film technology
Impact: Prolong building lifespan and heritage value

Job description

Delft University of Technology is hiring a doctoral candidate on Heat Stress Resilience in Heritage Buildings using Spectrally Selective Window Films. The PhD position is part of the NWO-NSFC SMASHeat Project.

The selected candidate will represent the building technology and building performance expertise within the consortium. (S)he will collaborate with experts in chemical engineering and material science by advising on the requirements of heritage buildings affected by overheating, including needs and wellbeing of the building occupants.

The candidate will develop a decision-making framework that supports the broader application of spectrally selective film technologies, taking into account indoor comfort, energy consumption and heritage value. (S)he will first rely on simulation and building performance modelling to define such framework and later validate it against measurements collected in real buildings selected as case studies, in both Dutch and Chinese locations.

The indoor environment of such case studies will be monitored before and after the application of the novel film technologies to quantify their effect on energy and indoor comfort, especially during the warmer summer months. The candidate is expected to travel to China and spend time there on exchange visits.

The successful candidate will be supervised by experts from the Health & Comfort group, the Heritage & Architecture group, and the Sustainable Architectural Materials & Structures group within the Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology (Dr Brembilla, Dr Quist and Dr Bianchi). (S)he will work in a team closely collaborating with industrial and academic partners associated with the SMASHeat Project. The position is funded for a duration of 4 years, during which the appointed candidate will (i) undertake research on their PhD topic and (ii) assist with the educational and research agenda of SMASHeat and the host groups at the AE+T Department.

About the SMASHeat Project

This project is built on the close collaboration between Dutch and Chinese institutions to combat indoor heat stress in urban areas. By developing novel engineered window films that dynamically respond to light and heat, the project consortium aims at reducing the vulnerability to extreme heat within modern heritage buildings while preserving their characteristic appearance. The innovation process spans material design, device manufacturing (including scaling-up), application and performance monitoring, and societal integration.

Job requirements

• MSc in architectural engineering, building technology, civil engineering or building physics (diploma received when applying);
• Experience with building performance simulation (e.g. energy performance, daylighting, indoor comfort) and willingness to learn programming skills (e.g. Python);
• Keen interest in the preservation of modern heritage building stock;
• Able to effectively mediate between technological considerations and social or cultural perspectives, integrating diverse stakeholder needs into their research;
• Curiosity driven, self-motivated, result-oriented individual who is open to challenges;
• Multi-culturally oriented mindset, respectful of diversity and inclusivity, with the ability to work in a team;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English proven by a minimum score of 100 in TOEFL or IELTS of 7.0 per sub-skill (writing, reading, listening, speaking).

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. Staff and students work 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.

About the AE+T Department

The Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology provides education and performs scientific research in the fields of architectural engineering / building technology. It positions itself as an important player in the integration of design and engineering. The core areas of interest are façade design, structural design, climate design and computational design with an important core focus on sustainability, health and resilience.