Postdoc on Digital Tooling and Parametric System Development for Automated Construction in Modular Housing

Short introduction

Are you eager to innovate in affordable housing with 3D Concrete Printing? Join us as a Postdoc to explore new and innovative design methodologies and lead transformative research in sustainable construction.

Job Description

In the BUILTWISE – Automated Construction for Affordable Housing Development project, you will be responsible for developing digital design tools and systems that support modular housing workflows. This includes plugin development for parametric modeling, structural logic integration, and cross-scale design automation. Your research will contribute to digital tooling that supports scalable, flexible, and sustainable building production. You will play a key role in connecting geometry, engineering, and manufacturing logics into a unified computational pipeline. BUILTWISE is an ongoing project with an established team and user committee. You will join this group to help strengthen our efforts and deliver a practical industry demonstrator.

At Eindhoven University of Technology, you'll be part of our innovative 3DCP group, driving change in the Built Environment. Collaborate with our team to overcome challenges to produce affordable buildings using automated construction. Your work will address critical issues in the construction industry and contribute to developing cost-effective housing, positively impacting society and promoting sustainability.

In this role, you will:

1. Parametric Design and Plugin Development: Develop custom plugins and computational workflows (e.g., Grasshopper for Rhino) to generate modular housing layouts. Support full design-to-fabrication pipelines that integrate reinforcement, MEP, and layout logic.
2. System Integration and Digital Toolchains: Implement rules-based design systems that account for structural, regulatory, and production constraints. Ensure seamless data flow across platforms, linking design logic to fabrication and BIM environments.
3. Prototyping and Validation: Integrate your digital tools into physical prototyping workflows. Collaborate on pilot-scale builds and prepare interfaces and documentation for use in demonstrator modules.

Job Requirements

• Holds a PhD in Computational Design, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Architectural Technology or related fields. Exhibits academic excellence, as demonstrated by their PhD thesis and/or publications in relevant fields.
• Strong programming experience in Python, C# (preferably across design-related APIs), and using Git.
• Experience developing plugins or toolsets within parametric modeling platforms like Rhino/Grasshopper, or similar.
• Knowledge of digital fabrication workflows and familiarity with modular building systems is a strong plus.
• Experience in challenge-based learning for multidisciplinary projects.
• Team player in dynamic, interdisciplinary environments, reflective of the user-committee of the project who represent a typical construction project team. Skilled in managing complex projects, leading their own research and ensuring their completion within scheduled timelines.
• Command of English, both in writing and speaking (C1).
• A forward-thinking approach, dedicated to enhancing construction methods and promoting sustainability in the building industry.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• 1-year full-time (1.0 FTE) or 2-year part-time (0.5 FTE) postdoctoral appointment, depending on candidate preference, with an anticipated start date around January 2026 (flexible and open to discussion).
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Prof. Theo Salet (t.a.m.salet@tue.nl).

For additional questions, you may also reach out to Lauri Hass (l.hass@tue.nl) or Karsten Nefs (k.nefs@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.BE@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• List of five self-selected ‘best publications’.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.