JOBDESCRIPTION

Delft University of Technology is hiring a postdoctoral researcher on the topic of “Stock-constrained design of circular timber structures”. You will be part of an international team of researchers that work towards more circular, resource-efficient and locally-sourced timber structures. The position is part of the WoodStock project, a European project that investigates climate-smart and zero-waste construction methods using underutilised wood sources like post-consumer wood, hardwood, damaged and low-quality wood.
Timber construction in countries like the Netherlands depends almost entirely on wood import. Yet, considerable amounts of wood become available through public greenspace maintenance and the deconstruction of existing buildings. This could facilitate local timber production. However, the timber design and construction industry is generally not equipped to deal with the large variety and unpredictable availbility of these underutilised material streams. With this position you will address that critical need by investigating a stock-constrained computational design workflow that links existing stock characteristics to the design or redesign of resource-efficient and zero-waste timber structures.
As a postdoctoral researcher in our team, you will contribute to the ongoing WoodStock project. WoodStock is a European project that investigates climate-smart and circular wood construction methods, with a particular focus on underutilised wood sources like post-consumer wood, hardwood, damaged and low-quality wood. Through six living labs, the project co-creates product and building solutions, policies, and business models together with relevant industry and societal actors. TU Delft coordinates one of the living labs at The Green Village. Your main task will be to develop a computational workflow that enables the design of load-bearing structures from stocks of reclaimed or locally sourced wood components. The workflow will include the characterisation of the wood components, the stock-constrained design of new structures from the stock library, and the digitally informed (re-)fabrication and (re-)assembly of the components. You will demonstrate and validate the workflow through a 1:1 prototype in a realistic environment.
You will be part of the ReStruct Research Group in the Structures & Materials section at the Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology and a member of the research team of dr. Stijn Brancart. Aside from your work on the WoodStock project, you will make contributions to the group and department by supporting with teaching activities, advising PhD researchers, and supporting with funding applications.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

This job is for you if:

• You hold an MSc degree in Architecture, Building Technology, Architectural Engineering, Structural Engineering or a related field.
• You have obtained a PhD with a dissertation on a related topic.
• You have a strong technical background and experience with structural design.
• You have experience with computational design.
• You have a strong affinity for timber and timber architecture.
• You enjoy performing research, including experimental work. You are independent, self-motivated and eager to learn. You are keen to develop new fundamental knowledge and engineer novel solutions for addressing real-world societal challenges, particularly in the sustainable use of wood.
• You are able to work in a team, to be pro-active and to collaborate with students, researchers and industry partners.
• You have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Furthermore, it would be nice if:

• You have hands-on experience working with wood and/or other biobased materials.
• You have experience with 1:1 fabrication.

Please refer the Job description for details