EngD in design support for grid-aware buildings

Introduction

Are you ready to develop design support tools for a future-proof built environment? Join our EngD program at TU/e and shape the future of sustainable building design and operation."

Job Description

The Netherlands’ electrical grid has reached its limit, creating an urgent need for "grid-aware" building strategies. We are seeking an EngD candidate to develop an open-source design tool that supports smarter that building design and operation to minimize peak power consumption and alleviates grid pressure.

Main project

Current regulatory tools are insufficient; they use static, quasi-stationary models that ignore dynamic weather and real-world peak loads. You will move beyond these limitations by:

• Advanced Simulation: Using EnergyPlus or TRNSYS to model building physics, energy systems, and user behavior in high-resolution time steps.
• Technology Integration: Assessing the impact of smart DHW controls, battery storage, V2G solutions, and adaptive skins (smart glass, BIPVT) on load flexibility.
• User Robustness: Utilizing diverse occupant profiles and measurement data to identify solutions that remain effective regardless of inhabitant behavior.
• Future-Proofing: Accounting for climate change and extreme weather to ensure long-term grid stability.

Collaborating with several project partners, you will deliver a validated, open-source prototype. This tool will empower the industry to move forward with construction in areas currently restricted by limited grid capacity.

Smart Buildings & Cities EngD Program
The Smart Buildings & Cities EngD program wants to contribute to the transition towards smart, intelligent, and sustainable cities where the quality of life for residents is high. This transition requires new solutions which can only be created through multiscale and transdisciplinary (design) approaches.

The program consists of two main parts running in parallel:

• One part of the program consists of post-graduate level education in the form of generic design projects and courses about design methods, entrepreneurship, management and an extra attention is paid to developing of professional skills. The education part also includes several technical courses about topics relevant to SBC.
• The other part of the program is dedicated to an individual design project in collaboration with a company or with a consortium of companies and organizations, who work together on a subsidies project. It is the trainee’s main responsibility to manage and execute (own part of) the project. Each trainee is supported by an advisor from the company and a supervisor from the university.
  
  

Job Requirements

• A MSc degree in Architectural Engineering, Building Science, Building, Civil, Mechanical or Environmental Engineering, or equivalent, with interest in physical processes (heat, air and moisture transfer) in the built environment and indoor environmental quality;
• Experience in computational building performance simulation (e.g. EnergyPlus, Trnsys or IDA ICE) and data analysis using e.g. Python or Matlab;
• An academic attitude in order to develop new technologies and perform applied research with an integral view of what is needed for the future built environment;
• A design oriented attitude;
• Ability to work in a team and interested in collaborating with the industrial partners;
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
  
  

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an international setting with a close relationship to industry. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for two years.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale TOIO (€ 3,029).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• To support you during your EngD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will have free access to a personal development program for EngD trainees.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Sustainability, in its broadest definition, is the cornerstone of research and education in the Department of Built Environment. We take the lead in (re)shaping the built environment to be future-proof, safe, healthy, inclusive and respectful of planetary boundaries. We house the entire spectrum of technology, engineering, design, and human behavior disciplines in the built environment, with world-class experimental facilities at all scales. This allows us to address societal challenges from a uniquely integrated perspective.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Roel Loonen, Associate Professor, r.c.g.m.loonen@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.be@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include:

• A cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Copies of relevant BSc and MSc diplomas and grade transcripts.
• The result of an English proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.