PhD Researcher Decision Processes and Strategies Adaptive Reuse of Buildings

Help shape better decisions for adaptive reuse of buildings across Europe. Develop strategies that balance environmental impact, costs, technical performance and circularity.

Job description

Adaptive reuse of buildings is becoming increasingly important to meet Europe’s housing needs while reducing environmental impact and making better use of existing buildings. Yet deciding whether and how to reuse a building is complex. Multiple stakeholders and criteria need to be considered, while existing buildings and locations impose technical and spatial constraints. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to minimise global warming impacts over the building’s new life cycle.

As a PhD researcher within the Horizon Europe project Re Ensemble, you will investigate how decisions about adaptive reuse are currently made across different European contexts. You will map and analyse existing decision-making processes and strategies using qualitative research methods. Based on your findings, you will develop improved approaches that strengthen the role of Whole Life Cycle Global Warming Potential, Life Cycle Costing, technical performance and circularity in decision-making.

You will test, refine and validate your decision framework together with asset owners and industry stakeholders. Working closely with academic and industry partners across Europe, you will bridge research and practice and help develop approaches that support more informed and sustainable decisions about existing buildings.

You will disseminate your findings through scientific publications, conferences, workshops and engagement with practitioners. This PhD research offers an excellent opportunity to advance both the theory and practice of adaptive reuse while contributing to more sustainable and efficient use of buildings across Europe.

Job requirements

• You hold an MSc in Architecture, Real Estate or a related discipline, or will graduate within three months.
• You have excellent written and spoken English and strong academic writing skills.
• You have an interest in decision-making, adaptive reuse and sustainable building practices.
• You are curious, critical and motivated to conduct research with practical application.
• You are able to organise your research independently and work in a structured way.
• You communicate effectively and enjoy working with stakeholders from different backgrounds.
• You are keen to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international research team.
• Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage because the research includes case studies and interviews with Dutch practitioners.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

The Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has a leading role in education and research worldwide. The driving force behind the faculty’s success is its robust research profile combined with the energy and creativity of its student body and academic community. It is buzzing with energy, with four thousand people enthusiastically studying, working, designing, conducting research and acquiring and disseminating knowledge.

Our faculty has a strong focus on 'design-oriented research’, which has given it a top position in world…