Doctoral Fellowships in Architecture and Technology

Polytechnicpositions; Zürich; Vor Ort; CHF 150’000 - 200’000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An esteemed academic institution in Zurich is offering two Doctoral Fellowships in Architecture and Technology for exceptional candidates. Ideal applicants should hold a Master's degree in architecture or engineering and demonstrate proficiency in English. This program provides excellent research opportunities and a supportive environment for scholars. Interested candidates should prepare specific documents and submit applications online by October 1, 2026.

Leistungen

Excellent working conditions

Cultural diversity

Attractive offers and benefits

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree acquired at the university level required.
• Proficiency in English is essential.
• Research interests must align with the ITA professorships.

Aufgaben

• Engage in research under a chosen professorship.
• Participate in the Aptitude Colloquium.
• Collaborate with other doctoral students and scholars.

Kenntnisse

Proficiency in English

Architecture or engineering background

Research skills

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in architecture, engineering or related fields

Jobbeschreibung

Doctoral Fellowships in Architecture and Technology

Doctoral Fellowships in Architecture and Technology

The Architecture & Technology (A&T) Doctoral Programme is looking for exceptional candidates to join our group of 50+ international doctoral students. We are offering two paid, full-time (100%), 3.5-year doctoral fellowships to start on October 1, 2026.

Since its inauguration, 30 scholars have been granted an A&T Fellowship. Graduates of the programme have successfully obtained academic positions at leading research institutions worldwide and high‑level positions in the industry.

The programme provides funding for three and a half years. It offers excellent working conditions and a unique research infrastructure. You will be employed full‑time and receive monthly salaries based on a standard rate.

Please find the detailed information about the doctorate at ETH Zurich in the AVETH survival guide.

Project background

About the Programme

The A&T Doctoral Programme is ETH Zurich’s interdisciplinary educational platform committed to training scholars in research and teaching of technology in architecture. The programme is offered and managed collaboratively by the chairs of the Institute of Technology in Architecture (ITA). The work of the ITA chairs assimilates many diverse aspects of employing science, technology and engineering in architecture, including computational design of buildings and structures, building processes and systems, digital and robotic construction and fabrication, and many others. For more information about our institute, please consult the ITA website.

The following professorships are currently involved in the A&T doctoral programme:

• Architecture and Digital Fabrication (Gramazio Kohler Research)
• Architecture and Structures (Block Research Group)
• Structural Design
• Digital Building Technologies (DBT)
• Architecture and Building Systems (A/S)
• Architecture and Building Process
• Construction Heritage and Preservation

You will join one of the above professorships under the respective professor/mentor. Hence, we expect you to choose one professorship most suitable for realising their research proposal and explicitly indicate this in your application packages. Although the selected applicant will be primarily associated with the chosen professorship, the interdisciplinary character of the programme ensures the involvement of other parties during the studies. For example, one of the milestones of this doctoral programme is the Aptitude Colloquium, in which doctoral students defend their research plan before all ITA professors and researchers. Our work takes place in the Arch_Tec_Lab, a high‑tech zero‑emissions building designed and developed by ITA.

We are looking for excellent people whose work demonstrates productive synergies between architecture and technology. We welcome architects with a solid technical, engineering or scientific background or interests and engineers/scientists whose work relates to architecture. We advise the applicants to thoroughly consult the ITA professorships’ websites before applying to ensure their research interests are compatible.

Profile

You must hold a Master’s degree acquired at the university level in architecture, engineering or related fields (e.g., MSc, MEng or MArch). Upon successful admission, depending on your academic background, the ETH administration office will evaluate if you need to take any additional exams at ETH during your first year of studies.

English is the official language, and we assume you are proficient in this language. We do not formally require English language certificates as a part of the application package.

Workplace

We offer

ETH Zurich is a family‑friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can look forward to an exciting working environment, cultural diversity and attractive offers and benefits.

chevron_right Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with only the following four documents (each a single file in PDF format):

1) Cover Letter (1 page max, submitted as pdf file, named: Lastname_Firstname_Cover Letter.pdf), stating:

• the applicant’s career plans
• reasons for pursuing a doctorate in Architecture & Technology at ETH Zurich
• arguments why they would be the right candidate
• the relevance of their background/past experiences in pursuing a doctorate
• under which ITA professorship they wish to conduct their studies (only one please)

2) CV (3 page max, submitted as pdf file, named: Lastname_Firstname_Short CV.pdf), outlining:

• the applicant's academic/professional progression
• academic/professional achievements
• clearly articulated set of competencies and skills (relevant to the job)
• list of awards, publications, and/or other notable milestones
• details of 3 referees (their name, professional title, organisation, email address), whom we may contact

3) Portfolio (12 pages max, submitted as pdf file, named: Lastname_Firstname_Portfolio.pdf), to include:

• images/graphic content illustrating projects relevant to the job
• short descriptions of the projects included
• short research articles (if existing and relevant)

4) Research Statement (3 pages max, submitted as pdf file, named: Lastname_Firstname_Research Statement.pdf), to include:

• the identification of the principal research field(s) or topic(s) of interest
• an outline and a summary of the research proposal

Please do not attach any additional documents, especially passport/ID scans, school records and letters of recommendation (they are handled separately).

Please note that we accept applications submitted exclusively through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

When uploading requested documents choose the following attachment types:

• For a research statement, select