The National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication examines innovative processes of design, engineering and construction in architecture. The main focus of this NCCR is research into digital design and manufacturing processes and their synthesis through the use of novel technologies. Through a multidisciplinary approach the disciplines of architecture, structural design, robotics, and material and computer sciences are brought together in an ambitious partnership to establish digital technology as an essential part of future building processes.
The Chair of Architecture and Structure (BLOCK Research Group – BRG) is seeking to start before 15th of January 2015, or upon agreement a
PhD Researcher in “Computational modeling of bending-active structural systems”
This PhD position is part of the NCCR subsection “Computational Design Environments” to investigate advanced computational design and digital fabrication processes in architecture. As such, the focus is to advance the development of a design and simulation platform to author non-standard robotic fabrication processes directly from a CAD system, such as, for example, Rhinoceros.
The PhD research will focus on the development of geometry-based, constrained form-finding and analysis methods, algorithms and design environments for bending-active structures. These structural systems use thin, flexible, linear or surface elements that are made load-bearing by applying large bending deformations to them and are stabilized by having the different components interact. Examples are strained grid shells, spline-stiffened membrane structures, bent woven or interlaced thin-stripe structures, curve-folded thin-shell structures, and many more novel structural geometries.
The doctoral researcher will work in close cooperation with other researchers of this NCCR and the BRG to empirically test and validate the developed computational design and analysis tools. Overall, the research will span from scaled physical testing to 1:1 demonstration in the new large-scale, multi-robotic Robotic Fabrication Laboratory (RFL) of ETH Zurich, opening 2016. The PhD position (full-time) spans 3.5 years of research and is funded according to standard SNSF regulations.
Your Profile:
– We are looking for a structural/mechanical engineer with programming skills and an interest in architecture, or a computer graphics/science major with experience in architectural geometry or structural mechanics.
– Candidates should be ambitious, dynamic, and able to collaborate in highly inter-disciplinary teams. Fluency in English is required.
– Knowledge in algebra, mathematical programming (optimization methods), and experience in using a high-level (OOP) programming language (preferably Python) are desirable.
– Note that PhD candidates at ETH need to have a Master degree corresponding to an FHEQ-Level 7.
Further Information: Please contact Prof. Dr. Philippe Block, by e-mail pblock<στο>ethz.ch (no applications to this email).
We look forward to receiving your application online at www.jobs.ethz.ch (or “Apply now” below) with attention to: ETH Zurich, Mr. Matthias Steiger, Human Resources, CH-8092 Zürich. Please submit 1) cover/motivation letter (max. two pages), 2) academic CV, 3) portfolio and/or publication sample (if relevant), and, if possible, 4) two recommendation letters (sent directly by email or by post in a sealed and signed envelope).
These documents should be submitted online before December 1, 2014.
Any other way of applying will not be considered.