PhD position in biomineralization of digitally fabricated granular materials

École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL; Vaud; On-site; CHF 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

EPFL in Lausanne invites applications for a full-time PhD position in the Laloui Group focusing on biomineralization of digitally fabricated granular materials. The project DFabuLis is SNSF-funded and conducted with ETH Zurich collaborators, exploring mineralization under ambient conditions for digital fabrication.

You will design and run experiments, analyze results, and contribute to publications while working closely with project partners.

Qualifications

• MSc in a closely related discipline is required.
• Fluency in English is essential.
• Experience with interdisciplinary research is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for your dissertation and research progress.
• Collaborate with EPFL and ETH Zurich partners.
• Design, execute and analyze experiments; publish in peer‑reviewed journals; present at conferences.
• Teach and supervise student projects.
• Connect experimental findings to digital fabrication technologies.

Skills

Rheology

Biomineralization

Experimental research

Interdisciplinary collaboration

English proficiency

Education

MSc in Civil Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related

Job description

PhD position in biomineralization of digitally fabricated granular materials

Mission

We are offering a challenging position as a full-time (100%) PhD Student in the Laloui Group at EPFL inLausanne. The group brings expertise in geomaterials and their mechanical behaviour to research at theinterface of material science and engineering applications.

You will work on the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)-funded project “DFabuLis: Digital FabricationUsing Living Systems”, conducted in collaboration between Dr. Dimitrios Terzis, Senior Scientist in the LalouiGroup at EPFL, and co-PI Prof. Benjamin Dillenburger of the Chair of Digital Building Technologies at ETHZurich. The project investigates how biologically driven mineralization can transform demolition and excavationmaterials into materials suitable for digital fabrication under ambient conditions.

Digital fabrication methods, including extrusion 3D printing and robotic spraying, offer opportunities to controlmaterial placement and curing, create complex geometries and reduce material consumption. Integratingbiomineralization into pumpable, extrudable and sprayable granular materials remains largely unexplored. ThisPhD will investigate the coupled biogeochemical, rheological and mechanical mechanisms governing particledeposition, mineral precipitation and hardening.

Main duties and responsibilities

As a PhD Student, you will be expected to:

• Take full responsibility for your dissertation and the progress of your research.
• Conduct research in close collaboration with project partners at EPFL and ETH Zurich and, whereapplicable, industry partners.
• Design and execute experiments, and analyze and interpret experimental results.
• Write scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present your findings at internationalconferences.
• Participate in teaching and supervise student projects.

More specifically, within this project, you will:

• Investigate the rheology and processability of granular materials, including yield stress, plastic viscosity,thixotropy, water content, ageing and particle interactions.
• Study microbial activity and biologically driven mineral precipitation, and determine how evolving mineralphases affect mechanical hardening and material performance.
• Characterize the coupling between biogeochemical reactions, rheological properties and mechanicalbehaviour over space and time.
• Connect experimental findings to extrusion 3D printing and robotic spraying in collaboration with thedigital fabrication team at ETH Zurich.

Profile

• An MSc degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering or aclosely related discipline.
• A background in mechanics and the strength of solid materials, or materials science applied to the builtenvironment, is particularly welcome.
• Experience in rheology, granular or cementitious materials, experimental mechanics, materialcharacterization, geomechanics, mineralogy, or organic and inorganic chemistry is an advantage.Expertise across all these fields is neither expected nor required.
• Interest in experimental and interdisciplinary research, and in translating fundamental physical andchemical understanding into new construction technologies.
• Good communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team across disciplines and institutions.
• Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, eagerness to learn, good organization skills and rigor in experimentalwork.
• A high level of motivation for academic research.
• Fluency in English is essential.

We offer

At EPFL, we believe that people achieve great results when they feel supported, respected and enabled tosucceed. By joining our community, you will help shape the future of society through education, research andinnovation. We offer an inspiring, international and collaborative environment where your work has real impact and your ideas are valued. Combined with flexible ways of working and attractive employment conditions, weaim to create an environment where everyone can contribute, grow and make a difference.

Beyond work, our campuses host a vibrant community and unique environment, enriched by initiativespromoting equality, inclusion, diversity, well-being and sustainability as well as an engaging program ofcultural, sports and community activities throughout the year.

Read about our employment conditions and employee benefits.

Informations

The selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for a PhD at EPFL, (EDME doctoral program). Please check this page for additional information on admission.

Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL.

At EPFL, we believe that people achieve great results when they feel supported, respected and enabledto succeed. By joining our community, you will help shape the future of society through education,research and innovation.

We offer an inspiring, international and collaborative environment where your work has real impact andyour ideas are valued. Combined with flexible ways of working and attractive employment conditions, weaim to create an environment where everyone can contribute, grow and make a difference.

Beyond work, our campuses host a vibrant community and unique environment, enriched by initiatives promoting equality, inclusion, diversity, well-being and sustainability as well as an engaging program ofcultural, sports and community activities throughout the year.

This project brings together complementary expertise at EPFL and ETH Zurich, connecting fundamental investigations of geochemical and mechanical processes with advanced fabrication and robotic construction technologies.

Read about our employment conditions and employee benefits.

Contract Start Date: March 1, 2027

Activity Rate :100.00

Contract Type: PhD Student

Duration: 1 year renewable

Reference: 2538

For more information, please contact: [e-mail]