PhD position on Occupants-centric control for buildings’ energy flexibility

Introduction

Are you eager to shape the future of sustainable, human-centered buildings while pursuing a PhD? Join us at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and contribute to cutting-edge research!

Job Description

The global energy transition and ambitious climate targets demand innovative solutions to enhance building energy efficiency and grid responsiveness. Among the most promising and practical approaches is the application of smart control to optimize HVAC setpoints. This approach not only reduces thermal energy demand but also optimizes HVAC system performance (e.g. heat pumps) and supports short-term energy flexibility through demand management. However, the success of such solutions hinges on a human-centered approach that prioritizes occupant comfort.

The Building Services group at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate occupant-centric control strategies for building demand management. Your research will focus on dynamic temperature control to improve HVAC energy efficiency, enhance grid flexibility, and ensure occupant thermal comfort.

Key Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of advanced dynamic control strategies to optimize both occupant comfort and energy flexibility in buildings.
• Define performance indicators for dynamic thermal comfort and develop algorithms to quantify them using measurement data.
• Design, implement, and test real-time control solutions using machine learning (ML) and model predictive control (MPC) to optimize and maintain dynamic temperature trajectories.
• Integrate personal comfort systems with dynamic control strategies to enhance individual comfort.
• Validate your proposed solutions through case studies conducted in living labs.

Why Join Us?

This position offers a unique opportunity to tackle critical challenges in energy-efficient building design and control, directly contributing to global climate goals while prioritizing occupant well-being. You will work in a dynamic, cutting-edge research environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and collaborate with leading experts in smart building control, energy systems, and human comfort.

We are excited to receive your application and look forward to welcoming you to this groundbreaking research project!

This PhD position is part of the “Owner & Occupant KPI’s Oriented Model Predictive OpenBuildingControl” (OOK MP OBC) project, a collaborative initiative between TU Eindhoven, TU Delft, prominent industrial partners, and other stakeholders. The project addresses the entire thermal energy system, from generation and storage (buffering) to distribution, supply, and end-user consumption. Its ultimate aim is to:

• Achieve significant energy savings, reducing CO₂ emissions.
• Maximize energy flexibility, easing the burden on the electricity grid.
• Enhance user comfort by meeting the needs of building occupants.

This PhD position specifically focuses on room-level and occupant-level solutions, working closely with project partners to develop an integrated system for building energy flexibility. You will also contribute to the IEA EBC Annex 96: Grid Integrated Control of Buildings, expanding the impact of your work on an international scale.

Moreover, you will benefit from a supportive and inclusive supervisory team dedicated to fostering an enriching and collaborative environment throughout your four-year research journey.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Building services engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, psychology and technology, or computer science).
• A research-oriented attitude.
• You have strong motivations for research in human comfort and building smart controls;
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level) proven by an IELTS or TOEFL test.
• Proficiency with finite element modeling, scientific computing (e.g. Matlab, Python,…)
• Some experience with testing.
• Good English writing skills.

Additional qualifications:

• Your master’s thesis, research projects, or publications should preferably be related to building energy management, building services technology, or smart controls.
• You are proficient in or have an affinity with relevant building performance and occupant comfort simulation tools/models. 

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: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Rick Kramer, Assistant Professor, r.p.kramer@tue.nl

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Scott Jacops, HR Advisor, s.m.m.c.b.jacops@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 by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• One pager cover letter addressing your interests and describing how your experience and research plans fit this PhD project. 
• One pager research statement (600 words maximum) demonstrating your ideas on how to approach the problem, what techniques to use, etc.
• A detailed CV - highlighting publications, examples of projects and/or achievements, and earlier experience that proves skills relevant to this PhD project.
• A master’s thesis or an abstract of it, and, if applicable, one or two notable publications/writing samples you have authored or research projects you have contributed to (please write down clearly your contribution in case of group work). 
• Contact information for two references.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for the first round of interviews. Following the first round of interviews, suitable candidates will proceed to a second round, during which you will be required to submit a two-page research proposal based on the project description and other materials. The PhD candidate may start from 1 June 2025 with flexibility to 1 September.

Applications and curriculum sent via email will be disregarded. 

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.