PhD position: Trade-off and Tipping Dynamics in Urban Transitions:

EPFL; Vaud; On-site; CHF 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

EPFL's HERUS invites applications for a PhD candidate to study how energy and food systems interact within urban sustainability transitions. You will extend a modelling framework and work within an interdisciplinary team in Lausanne.

The role emphasizes computational modelling, data analysis and collaboration, with structured doctoral training and opportunities to publish internationally.

Qualifications

• Excellent MSc degree in a relevant interdisciplinary field.
• Strong interest in sustainability transitions and urban systems tipping dynamics.
• Good knowledge of computational modelling and programming, esp. Python and ABM.
• Knowledge of Scala or Julia is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop a framework for analysing coupled sustainability transitions in urban systems.
• Extend and develop an interdisciplinary ABM of urban transitions in Lausanne.
• Investigate synergies, trade-offs and tipping dynamics between sectors such as energy and food.
• Analyse how provisioning systems influence sustainability transitions.
• Collaborate with Prof. Claudia R. Binder and the HERUS team.
• Publish findings in international journals and present at conferences.
• Contribute to teaching and student supervision at EPFL (20%).

Skills

Python

Agent-based modelling

Computational modelling

Interdisciplinary research

Education

MSc degree

Tools

Scala

Julia

Job description

Understanding how urban sustainability transitions interact: How do transformations in different urban sectors—such as energy and food—interact? Under what conditions do they reinforce one another or create trade-offs, and when do they trigger tipping dynamics?

The Laboratory for Human-Environment Relations in Urban Systems (HERUS) at the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), EPFL, investigates how urban systems transform towards sustainability. We are looking for a PhD candidate to investigate coupled sustainability transitions, with an initial focus on the interactions between energy and food systems.

The PhD project is embedded within the ongoing research project “Tipping Transition”, which investigates the drivers and dynamics of renewable energy technology adoption in housing in Lausanne. An interdisciplinary agent-based model (ABM) has been developed to represent the energy transition at the level of Lausanne, integrating not only economic factors but also social and behavioural dimensions, such as attitudes, social norm, and their evolution over time.

The PhD project “Trade-off and tipping dynamics in urban transitions “ will extend this modelling framework to investigate interactions between different urban sectors, initially focusing on energy and food. A particular focus will be placed on the role of provisioning systems—the infrastructures, technologies, institutions, markets, and practices through which goods and services are provided—in enabling or constraining sustainability transitions.

The successful candidate will work in collaboration with a current PhD researcher developing the energy transition model. This provides an opportunity to build on an established modelling framework, contribute to its further development, and benefit from expertise and ongoing research.

Your responsibilities

• Develop a framework for analyzing coupled sustainability transitions in urban systems.
• Extend and further develop an interdisciplinary agent-based model of urban transitions in Lausanne.
• Investigate synergies, trade-offs, and tipping dynamics between sectors such as energy and food.
• Analyse how changes in provisioning systems influence sustainability transitions.
• Develop and conduct your own research under the guidance of Prof. Claudia R. Binder.
• Collaborate closely with the HERUS research team and the existing PhD project.
• Publish research findings in international peer-reviewed journals and present them at scientific conferences.
• Contribute to teaching and student supervision at EPFL (20%).

Your profile

• An excellent MSc degree in Computer Science, Energy Science, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability Science, Geography, or a closely related interdisciplinary field.
• A strong interest in sustainability transitions and/or urban systems tipping dynamics.
• Good knowledge of computational modelling and programming. Experience with Python and agent-based modelling is particularly valuable. Knowledge of Scala or Julia is an asset.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and an interest in interdisciplinary research.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, and a high level of motivation for academic research.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of French and/or German is an asset.
• Previous experience with agent-based modelling or sustainability transitions is welcome, but candidates with a strong quantitative or computational background and an interest in developing interdisciplinary expertise are also encouraged to apply.

We offer

• A PhD position for up to four years within an interdisciplinary and international research environment at EPFL.
• The opportunity to develop an independent research profile at the intersection of computational modelling, sustainability science, and urban studies.
• Close collaboration with the HERUS research team.
• The opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative approaches for understanding interconnected urban sustainability transitions.
• Structured doctoral training through EPFL doctoral programs and close research mentorship.

Contract start date

February 1 st , 2027 or upon agreement

Activity rate

100.00

Contract type

CDD

Duration

1 year, renewable

Contact

For inquiries regarding the position and project scope, please contact Prof. Claudia R. Binder ([e-mail]).

For more information on past and ongoing research at HERUS, please visit: http://herus.epfl.ch/