The Ecological Systems Design Group at ETH Zürich is an internationally leading research group in the field of modeling and improving the resource efficiency and environmental performance of products and processes from a systems perspective. The Chair of Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA) develops research on matching reused construction components and projects through digital technologies for circular construction Together, we are inviting applications to fill a PhD position in “Metrics for Circular Construction”.

This PhD position is part of a new collaborative project “Swiss Circular Construction Digital Ecosystem (SWIRCULAR)” funded by innosuisse. The goal of the project is to accelerate the urgently needed shift from a linear to a circular economy in the built environment.

The work will be carried out in an interdisciplinary team at the Ecological Systems Design Group and the Circular Engineering for Architecture (CEA) Group. The main goal of the doctoral project is develop metrics for circular and sustainable construction. To evaluate the directionality and validity of your metrics, you will conduct material flow analysis and life cycle assessment of building construction projects. You will develop a tool for quantifying circularity metrics in construction projects. Throughout the project you collaborate with stakeholder groups composed of industry and governmental representatives to discuss your research outcomes and next steps. An integral part of your work is publishing your results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at international conferences.