Postdoc in Building Development, Evolution and Genetics - DTU Construct

If a biologist had never seen a building before, how might they think it had grown and evolved? Could they find a ‘genetic code’ for buildings? We seek a Postdoc for this Villum Experiment to develop new scientific methods to design and analyse better, more sustainable buildings.
A researcher at the turn of the last century was trying to find a standardized animal model for their experiments. A fly landed at their desk; they were initially frustrated by the interruption but later realized that the common fly was exactly what they had been looking for.

We have identified a similar situation when trying to design better, more sustainable buildings. We currently don’t know how to make the most sustainable buildings in the world. In this search for new knowledge, the vast untapped data in existing buildings that we can use to learn how to design better, more sustainable buildings, is often overlooked.

We therefore need a scientific method for the high throughput analysis of existing and proposed buildings.

To address this Villum Experiment asks:

• If a biologist had never seen a building before? How would they think it had grown and evolved? Would they even think it might have genes? If so, how would they find them?

We seek a full-time Postdoc to develop new methods to model the growth, evolution and genes of buildings. You will work with multi-disciplinary models of university campus buildings to identify:

• An appropriate pseudo biological modelling for paradigm for buildings (a standard building model)
• The growth stages of a building (including the integration of the different building systems) analogous to biological growth processes
• The evolution of a specific building typology by analyzing existing and preexisting buildings.
• Focusing on the interactions and dependencies of a specific building system to identify candidate ‘genes’ for buildings that could be used to support the design and analysis of better, more sustainable buildings in the future.

In addition to the above tasks, you will be expected to:

• Contribute to relevant teaching activities where appropriate and aligned to the outcomes of this Villum Experiment. The intention is to use the students to test, feedback and further develop the methodologies developed in the experiment
• Support the development of future research funding to develop a building development, evolution and genetics lab
• Support the development of a new research field of building development, evolution and genetics including leading a track in the first international symposium planned for 2026
• Identify and develop global connections with other relevant labs
• Manage an open-source repository for the experimental data

Responsibilities and qualifications
We have not met you yet, so we don’t know exactly what skills you have but we imagine you would have some of the following. We are aware that it is unlikely that you will have all of these, but we hope you will have at least three.

• Computational Design Skills (Buildings, products, games etc.)
• Experience in modelling of buildings (any discipline)
• Experience in modelling in biology (i.e. SBML)
• Scientific experimental skills that could be applied to tasks above.
• Other kinds of modelling where you can see that you could directly support this work is required.
• Experience in teaching
• Experience with STEM / design communication.

Working with us at DTU Construct in the Section of Digital Building Technologies, your work will contribute to the scientific analysis of existing buildings to support the design of better, more sustainable future buildings.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 21 months.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Tim McGinley, timmc@dtu.dk.

You can read more about DTU Construct at https://construct.dtu.dk/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 28 April 2025 (23:59 Danish time). To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications
• A video (3-minute max) describing your scientific interests, previous research experience and why you are interested in this position. Please, include a web link for video direct download at the end of your CV document
• Contact of at least two reference persons

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering develops and utilizes science and technical knowledge for the benefit of society and sustainable development. We undertake research, education, innovation, and scientific advice of the highest quality within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and installation, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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