PhD position: Multi-scale Modelling and Experimental Assessment of Volumetrically Prestressed Concrete — Empa
- Location
- Dübendorf
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- 10 days ago
Role overview
Materials science and technology are our passion.
With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living.
Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.
- Materials science and technology are our passion.
- With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living.
- The candidate should have a Master's degree in Structural Engineering (or related engineering) with a strong back-ground in nonlinear finite element modeling, structural mechanics, and concrete structures.
- Experience or interest in 3D concrete printing is also important.
Key requirements
- The candidate should have a Master's degree in Structural Engineering (or related engineering) with a strong back-ground in nonlinear finite element modeling, structural mechanics, and concrete structures.
- Experience or interest in 3D concrete printing is also important.
- Additional skills, including experience in small and large-scale experimental investigations and knowledge of shape memory alloys, would be an advantage.
- A strong desire and motivation to find cutting-edge and innovative solutions in the field of structural engineering are essential.
- Excellent knowledge of English (oral and written) is mandatory.
- Knowledge of German would be an advantage. Our offer
- We offer a multifaceted, challenging, and fully funded Ph.D. position for 48 months in a modern research environment with excellent infrastructure supported by regular supervision.
- The thesis director of the PhD student will be Prof.
- Dr.
- Eleni Chatzi, who heads the Chair of Structural Mechanics and Monitoring at ETH Zurich.
- The candidate will be based at Empa Dübendorf, where the day-to-day research will be supervised by Prof.
- Moslem Shahverdi and Dr.
Application process
- It can be deployed through conventional casting for standard applications and through 3D printing for complex or non-planar geometries.
- In parallel, circular end-of-life strategies will recover fibres, upcycle fines into new low-carbon constituents, and enable structural reuse.
- The project comprises 11 partners across the globe, including partners from Europe, Canada and Japan Your tasks
- The tasks of the PhD at ETHZ and Empa within the framework of SURPASS are as follows:
- Volumetric prestressing of cast and 3D-printable SURPASS overlays using Fe-SMA fibres.
- Meso-scale finite element modelling of volumetric prestressing mechanisms with Fe-SMA fibres, including activation, recovery stress, prestress transfer, and reactivation.
- Structural-scale simulation of SURPASS overlays in strengthened members, including parametric finite element analyses for surrogate-model development and digital-twin support.
- Large-scale experimental assessment of volumetrically prestressed SURPASS overlays for non-planar structures, including representative applications such as tunnel linings, arch intrados, and curved bridge soffits.
Contacts
- Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.
Additional details
- The project comprises 11 partners across the globe, including partners from Europe, Canada and Japan
- Knowledge of German would be an advantage.
Notes and original content
- Your tasks
- Your profile
Questions about this listing
What salary does Empa offer for this role?
Empa lists CHF 73'500 - 111'500 gross per year for this position in Dübendorf. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does Empa offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with Empa during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Zürich?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Zürich can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Zürich's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at Empa?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to Empa's original listing at apply.refline.ch, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
