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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Postdoctoral Scholar Opening in Indoor Environmental Quality

Mission

The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) invites applications for a postdoctoral position within the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will join the Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab (HOBEL) at EPFL's Fribourg campus.

HOBEL’s research advances scientific understanding of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and its impact on human health, comfort, and performance. This position is primarily linked to the EU Horizon Europe project titled ‘Renovation with automation and optimization of processes and products’ (RENOMIZE) (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101192326 and https://www.renomize.eu/). RENOMIZE aims to transform building renovation practices through advanced automation (robotics), prefabrication, and digital process optimization. The project has a strong focus on scalability, industrialisation and cost-efficiency. EPFL’s role in RENOMIZE centers on the design and evaluation of indoor environmental quality (IEQ), ventilation and filtration strategies. Additionally, the candidate will have the opportunity to propose and develop independent research ideas within HOBEL's scope

Main duties and responsibilities

The postdoc will have the following responsibilities:

  • Plan and carry out empirical IEQ monitoring campaigns in occupied demonstration buildings, pre- and post-renovation.
  • Collect and analyze occupant feedback through surveys and other tools.
  • Combine field data with modelling to assess IEQ performance and seasonal variations.
  • Explore and evaluate options for improving IEQ using commercially available solutions.
  • Contribute to the design and development of ventilation and filtration strategies for representative building types.
  • Collaborate with project partners to ensure alignment and impact.
  • Support broader HOBEL research initiatives and, if desired, develop independent research ideas within the fields of IAQ, IEQ and ventilation.
  • Act as the primary representative of EPFL HOBEL and serve as the IEQ expert on the project

Profile

Strong candidates will demonstrate:

  • A PhD degree (or imminent completion) in Mechanical, Civil, Architectural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
  • Expertise in one or more of the following: ventilation design, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, building physics, building services engineering (HVAC), or related IEQ domains.
  • Experience with experimental and/or field-based measurements in occupied buildings.
  • A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Excellent project management, teamwork, and communication skills (written and spoken English).
  • Proven experience independently leading research activities within large-scale, consortium-based projects is a plus.
  • Proven skills in data analysis and programming (MATLAB, R, Python, etc.); experience handling large datasets is a plus. Additionally, skills using Linux servers, BASH, IoT, and LoRaWAN equipment is a plus.
  • Experience with building energy and building physics modelling software (EnergyPlus, CONTAM, etc.) is a plus.

We offer

Start date: as soon as possible, ideally January 2026. Application deadline: 15 November 2025. The contracts are given on an annual basis, however, we are seeking for a multi-year appointment (minimum 2 years).

This position offers a competitive salary and benefits.

The successful candidate will join an international team, lead research projects, potentially contribute to teaching, and have full access to EPFL's facilities in Fribourg and Lausanne.

Opportunities for national and international collaboration with both academic and industrial partners are also available.

Informations

Applicants should send a cover letter describing their research experience and interests (max. 2 pages), a CV, and the names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) for three references. Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered.

For more information, you can contact Prof. Dusan Licina (dusan.licina@epfl.ch). No applications send to this address shall be considered.

For more information about HOBEL, see: https://www.epfl.ch/labs/hobel/

For more information about Prof. Dusan Licina, see: https://people.epfl.ch/dusan.licina

For more information about EPFL, see: https://www.epfl.ch/en/

For more information about Smart Living Lab, see: https://smartlivinglab.ch

 

Note: Excellence and background relevant to the position will be the main points of consideration once the immigration requirements for the Canton of Fribourg are met.

 










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