PhD opening in material science of stone conservation

Academic Positions; Schweiz; On-site; CHF 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

ETH Zurich is offering a PhD position in the Chair for Physical Chemistry of Building Materials, focusing on material science of stone conservation. The project investigates contour scaling mechanisms using powder-bed 3D printing of stone-like materials and on-site monitoring methods.

Collaboration with the Chair for Digital Building Technologies enhances interdisciplinary research. The successful candidate will work on reproducing weathering conditions, developing detection methods, and

Qualifications

• Keen interest in heritage conservation science.
• Masters degree in conservation science, material science, chemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering, or conservation architecture.
• Good experimental skills are required.
• Excellent oral and written English is essential.
• German knowledge is an advantage, but willingness to learn is a must.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Use 3D-printed stone samples to study contour scaling under laboratory conditions.
• Develop methods for rapid detection of contour scales on site.
• Collaborate with the Chair for Digital Building Technologies and other researchers.
• Contribute to testing treatments to mitigate contour scaling.
• Engage in interdisciplinary communication within ETH Zurich.

Skills

Heritage conservation experience

English communication

Experimentation skills

Collaboration

Education

Masters in conservation science

Masters in material science

Tools

Powder-bed 3D printing

Job description

Organisation/Company ETH Zürich Research Field Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Chemistry » Physical chemistry Chemistry » Other Engineering » Chemical engineering Engineering » Civil engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Environmental science » Earth science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 22 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Switzerland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

PhD opening in material science of stone conservation

The Chair for Physical Chemistry of Building Materials has one opening for PhD. position on the topic of stone conservation, in particular the mechanisms of contour scaling. This PhD is part of the collaborative project “Spatially graded 3D printing to elucidate contour scaling of building stones”. It aims at elucidating the mechanism of contour scaling on building stone, establishing on-site monitoring methods and testing possible treatments for it. The selected student will collaborate with another PhD candidate funded in the scheme and employed at the Chair for Digital Building Technologies in the Department of Architecture.

Project background

This project aims to establish and validate a novel experimental approach to the study of stone deterioration by leveraging powder-bed 3D printing of stone-like materials. This enables the creation of spatially graded samples mimicking natural stones and their alteration through weathering. Most importantly, this can be done in a repetitive way and with systematic variations of the defect, flaws and inhomogeneities known to play an essential role in stone deterioration.

The specific stone deterioration mechanism that will be investigated is contour scaling, a process of particular concern to molasse sandstones largely used in the Swiss plateau. It leads to loss of cohesion below the exposed surface, at a depth in the range of some millimetres to several centimetres. It leads to highly inhomogeneous properties that our 3D printing approach would be able to mimic for the first time.

The 3D printing will begin using an innovative and large-scale 3D powder bed printer developed by the Chair for Digital Building Technologies, and will be advanced for the purpose of this project by the other PhD student.

• The present PhD student will use such 3D printed stones in the unique testing facilities of the Chair for Physical Chemistry of Building Materials
• This will enable the reproduction under laboratory conditions of harsh events that condition the weathering of building stones on monuments
• That study will be complemented by method development to enable rapid detection of contour scales on site, in addition to exploring possible means of halting the propagation and/or formation of such contour scales

Profile

• The successful candidate should have a keen interest, or preferably experience in heritage conservation science
• They should additionally hold a Masters degree in conservation science, material science, chemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering, or conservation architecture
• In any case good experimental skills are a must
• An excellent oral and written level of English is essential
• Conversational knowledge of German is an advantage, but desire to learn it is a must
• As the project involves collaboration between groups in addition to field practitioners, very good communication skills and willingness to collaborate with other researchers is essential

We offer

The Chair of Physical Chemistry of Building Materials within the Institute for Building Materials offers many chances for jump-starting an academic or industrialresearch career in cement and concrete technology, with a strong basis in materials chemistry and rheology. Ourhighly diverse and international group also offers many networking opportunities through academicsocieties such as RILEM, industry connections, as well as internal ETH connections. We are committed to diversity by allowing flexibility in working hours, home office, and other measures to ensure team members can adequately perform their roles.

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich We value diversity and sustainabilityIn 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. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future .Curious? So are we.

Further information about the Physical Chemistry of Building Materials can be found on our website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr Timothy Wangler, Tel [phone]or email [e-mail] (no applications).

About ETH ZürichETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in
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