PhD Position PRE-MADONA: Generative Design of Mass Energy Renovation Projects
Have you ever thought of developing your yourself academically while also making a large impact on society? And, did you ever consider developing and applying cutting-edge knowledge of digital construction to the grand challenges of energy renovations in the built environment? Then, you are the right candidate to apply for a PhD position within the PRE-MADONA project.
The Netherlands faces the enormous challenge of renovating 1.5 million buildings and transitioning 7 million homes to fossil-free energy by 2050. Current renovation approaches are too slow and inefficient to meet these targets. To build capacity, it is important to utilise the available resources more efficiently, for example by gravitating towards industrialised and mass renovation strategies. However, the bottlenecks are of both technical (e.g., tools to support project clustering, generative design, coordination) and non-technical (e.g., streamlined governance and re-engineered processes) natures. The PRE-MADONA project offers a game-changing solution by leveraging data-driven methods to optimise large-scale renovation flows (Verbouwstromen). By bringing together contractors, clusters of buildings, and smart logistical planning, PRE-MADONA accelerates renovations using repeated, standardised processes—saving time, resources, and costs.
The Challenge
Transitioning to renovation flows demands the development of a set of support tools that can leverage a wealth of available and to-be-collected data to support mass renovation projects. Depending on how the process is initiated, these tools should support clustering similar houses (e.g., in terms of location, morphology, surrounding environment, access to energy grid, etc.) that would be suitable for the implementation of standardised renovation solutions from different perspectives (suppliers, clients, housing associations, etc.). Additionally, a generative design approach needs to be developed to rapidly design globally optimal (e.g., cost, feasibility, contribution to energy efficiency, resource availability, and potential for mass execution) solutions for different clusters.
In this project, we aim to develop supporting tools for the clustering and generative design of energy renovation projects in order to accelerate the transition to the renovation flow.
You will be part of a team comprising three PhD researchers who are dedicated to the PRE-MADONA project. Together, you work in a multidisciplinary project with through leaders in the domain of digitalisation and energy renovation. You will learn to conduct research independently and grow scientifically through collaboration and supervision by researchers from Saxion and Hanze Universities of Applied Science, supervisors from the Construction Management Engineering cluster at the University of Twente, and a strong network of industry partners in the Dutch construction sector.
Information and application
For more information about the position, you are encouraged to contact dr. ir. Farid Vahdatikhaki: F.Vahdatikhaki@utwente.nl.
Please upload your application via the ‘Apply now’ button before September 5th, 2025.
Your application should include a cover letter of max 2 pages (emphasizing your specific interest, motivation and qualifications), a detailed CV, an academic transcript of BSc and MSc education, result of an English test (if you attended a non-English taught MSc program), a publication list (if applicable) and contact details of two referees. Since only three documents can be uploaded per application, please combine documents if needed. An interview and a scientific presentation will be part of the selection procedure.
The first selection interviews are scheduled for October 6th, 2025 preferably in person at the campus of the University of Twente. A second round may be part of the procedure.
We aim for this project to start January 1st, 2026. We also welcome students to apply who expect to have finished their MSc thesis around this time.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
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