Ph.D. Position in Operation of Personalized Environmental Control Systems
Mission
The Laboratory of Integrated Comfort Engineering (ICE) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is seeking an exceptionally driven and skilled Ph.D. candidate to contribute to cutting-edge research on the operation of personalized environmental control systems (PECS) and their contribution to energy reduction in buildings and enhancing human well-being.
Main duties and responsibilities
The primary focus of the research is to develop smart operations of various thermal PECS (heating/cooling, chairs, desks, etc..). The optimized operation of PECS should balance the personalized thermal comfort and well-being of individuals while minimizing overall building energy use. An important aspect of the project is to incorporate the behavior and physiology of building occupants, as well as the dynamic performance of buildings and thermal systems, ensuring that the control strategies are adaptable for real-world use and human variability.
Profile
The requirements for the qualification of candidates:
- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, Intelligent Systems, and similar fields.
- Background in thermal systems, controls and the operation of mechanical systems (e.g., heat exchangers, HVAC).
- Ability to responsibly manage mechanical systems and the design of their control network
- Familiarity with the energy performance of buildings and indoor thermal comfort desirable.
- Strong background in signal processing, data analytics and programming.
- Team spirit and capacity to conduct computational and experimental research.
- Excellent communication skills, fluency in English, and good academic writing skills.
Excellence and the background relevant to the position will be the main points of consideration once the immigration regulations of the Canton of Fribourg are met. The selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to the EPFL Doctoral Program in Energy (EDEY) to qualify for a PhD at EPFL.
We offer
- World-class research environment providing access to cutting-edge research facilities that facilitate groundbreaking exploration
- A commitment to fostering academic advancement within a nurturing workplace, ensuring individuals have the support needed to grow professionally
- Working in an interdisciplinary research environment
- Competitive salary and employment conditions
Informations
Work location: EPFL-Fribourg campus, Switzerland
Duration: 4 years (1-year fixed-term contract renewable annually)
Starting date of the appointment: Spring-Summer 2025
Application submission deadline: February 15, 2025
Interested candidates must submit their application (in English) which includes:
- Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- Detailed CV with an overview of experimental and computational skills, language skills, and a list of publications
- Contact details of 3 referees
For additional information, please email ice@epfl.ch. The subject line of the email should indicate "PhD - PECS." No applications sent to this address shall be considered.