Scientific Assistant in Bio-inspired Construction Materials — EPFL
NewCHF 68'500 - 104'000
EPFL · Fribourg (FR)
- Location
- Fribourg
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
SalaryCHF 68'500 - 104'000
Role overview
Mission Contribution
The Materials in Transition (MATR) Lab at the School of ENAC, EPFL, is seeking a self-driven and inquisitive scientific assistant to start between August and October 2026, in the field of sustainable construction.
The research project explores how biological structures and mechanisms can inspire the development of next-generation natural materials and interfaces for sustainable construction.
- Mission Contribution
- The Materials in Transition (MATR) Lab at the School of ENAC, EPFL, is seeking a self-driven and inquisitive scientific assistant to start between August and October 2026, in the field of sustainable construction.
Application process
- The research will focus on understanding structure-property relationships and evaluating the potential of these materials for applications in the construction sector.
- The overarching goal of the project is to develop materials that deliver the required functional performance (e.g., mechanical, moisture management, durability, thermal performance) while promoting resource efficiency across multiple lifecycles. MATR Lab
- The incoming candidate will be part of a growing and dynamic research team at the MATR lab, led by Prof. Rebecca Hartwell, where we seek to:
- Integrate resilience into the design and application of construction materials in response to evolving socio-economic challenges, such as climate change, social equity, occupant health, and strategic independence in material supply-chains.
- Develop comprehensive digital assessment methods to evaluate whole-life material flows and their associated impact across sectors to inform policy and practice.
- Engineer whole-life adaptability at the product-scale through material science and design. Profile
- Strong interest in emerging, interdisciplinary fields within architecture, material science, and biotechnology
- Strong analytical background and problem-solving abilities
Contacts
- Rebecca Hartwell ([email protected]).
- Activity Rate Min : 20.00
- Activity Rate Max : 60.00 Contract Type: CDD Duration: 6 months, renewable Reference: 2331
Additional details
- The overarching goal of the project is to develop materials that deliver the required functional performance (e.g., mechanical, moisture management, durability, thermal performance) while promoting resource efficiency across multiple lifecycles.
- The incoming candidate will be part of a growing and dynamic research team at the MATR lab, led by Prof. Rebecca Hartwell, where we seek to:
- Engineer whole-life adaptability at the product-scale through material science and design.
- Current Master’s students are also invited to apply for a research assistant position at a reduced FTE.
- World-class and international research and training environment with access to state-of-the art experimental facilities and a rich and vibrant scientific and entrepreneurial community Competitive renumeration
- Stimulating work environment based at the Smart Living Lab, EPFL Fribourg
- Activity Rate Max : 60.00 Duration: 6 months, renewable
Notes and original content
- Contribution
- The incoming candidate will be part of a growing and dynamic research team at the MATR lab, led by Prof.
- Rebecca Hartwell, where we seek to:
- World-class and international research and training environment with access to state-of-the art experimental facilities and a rich and vibrant scientific and entrepreneurial community
- Competitive renumeration
- Informations
- Activity Rate Max : 60.00
- Contract Type: CDD
- Duration: 6 months, renewable
- Reference: 2331
