PhD Candidate in Heat Stress Resilience in Heritage Buildings using Spectrally Selective Window Films

Challenge: Make modernist buildings climate resilient while preserving

Change: Define application range of novel window film technology

Impact: Prolong building lifespan and heritage value

Job Description

Delft University of Technology is hiring a doctoral candidate on "Heat Stress Resilience in Heritage Buildings using Spectrally Selective Window Films". The PhD position is part of the NWO-NSFC SMASHeat Project.

The selected candidate will represent the building technology and building performance expertise within the consortium. (S)he will collaborate with experts in chemical engineering and material science by advising on the requirements of heritage buildings affected by overheating, including needs and wellbeing of the building occupants. The candidate will develop a decision-making framework that supports the broader application of spectrally selective film technologies, taking into account indoor comfort, energy consumption and heritage value. (S)he will first rely on simulation and building performance modelling to define such framework and later validate it against measurements collected in real buildings selected as case studies, in both Dutch and Chinese locations. The indoor environment of such case studies will be monitored before and after the application of the novel film technologies to quantify their effect on energy and indoor comfort, especially during the warmer summer months. The candidate is expected to travel to China and spend time there on exchange visits.

The successful candidate will be supervised by experts from the Health & Comfort group, the Heritage & Architecture group, and the Sustainable Architectural Materials & Structures group within the Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology (Dr Brembilla, Dr Quist and Dr Bianchi; https://www.tudelft.nl/bk/onderzoek/onderzoek-bij-bouwkunde/architectural-engineering-technology). (S)he will work in a team closely collaborating with industrial and academic partners associated with the SMASHeat Project. The position is funded for a duration of 4 years, during which the appointed candidate will (i) undertake research on their PhD topic and (ii) assist with the educational and research agenda of SMASHeat and the host groups at the AE+T Department.

About The SMASHeat Project

This project is built on the close collaboration between Dutch and Chinese institutions to combat indoor heat stress in urban areas. By developing novel engineered window films that dynamically respond to light and heat, the project consortium aims at reducing the vulnerability to extreme heat within modern heritage buildings while preserving their characteristic appearance. The innovation process spans material design, device manufacturing (including scaling-up), application and performance monitoring, and societal integration.

Job requirements

• MSc in architectural engineering, building technology, civil engineering or building physics (diploma received when applying);
• Experience with building performance simulation (e.g. energy performance, daylighting, indoor comfort) and willingness to learn programming skills (e.g. Python);
• Keen interest in the preservation of modern heritage building stock;

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• Able to effectively mediate between technological considerations and social or cultural perspectives, integrating diverse stakeholder needs into their research;
• Curiosity driven, self-motivated, result-oriented individual who is open to challenges;
• Multi-culturally oriented mindset, respectful of diversity and inclusivity, with the ability to work in a team;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English proven by a minimum score of 100 in TOEFL or IELTS of 7.0 per sub-skill (writing, reading, listening, speaking). For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
  
  

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

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 rankings.

Staff and students are working to improve the built environment with the help of a broad set of disciplines, including architectural design, urban planning, building technology, social sciences, process management, and geo-information science. The faculty works closely with other faculties, universities, private parties, and the public sector, and has an extensive network in the Netherlands as well as internationally.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment.

About the AE+T Department

The Department of Architectural Engineering + Technology provides education and performs scientific research in the fields of architectural engineering / building technology. It positions itself as an important player in the integration of design and engineering. The core areas of interest are façade design, structural design, climate design and computational design with an important core focus on sustainability, health and resilience.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional Information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. E. (Eleonora) Brembilla, via e-mail: E.Brembilla@tudelft.nl.

For more information about the application procedure, please contact Paulien Stastra, via e-mail: recruitment-bk@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Interested in relocating to Netherlands? Check out our comprehensive Relocation Jobs in Netherlands page with detailed relocation packages and benefits.

Are You Interested In This Vacancy? Please Apply No Later Than 15 April 2026 (local Dutch Time + 2 Hrs) Via The Application Button And Upload The Following Documents

• Detailed CV - highlight examples of projects and/or achievements that demonstrate competences relevant to the advertised position.
• Motivation letter (no more than 600 words) addressing your interest and decsribing how your experience and plans fit with the position.
• Contact information for two references (letters not required at this stage).
• MSc thesis and, if applicable, one or two notable publications you have authored.
• Undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
  
  

Selected candidates will be invited for a first-round interview (scheduled on May 21th &28th, 2026). The starting date for the position is as soon as possible.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please Note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
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