1 PhD Research position in Concrete Printing in Sweden | KTH - Royal Institute Of Technology

Generally, applied digital fabrication technologies are subtractive causing material waste at fabrication level. New research explores additive processes in building realization creating more sustainable and materially smart solutions. Recent efforts into printing have piloted new methods for full scale printing of buildings and building elements. However, they fail to predict the material behaviour of for example concrete setting in the printing process. This project will develop methods for simulating fabrication processes in additive manufacturing and concrete printing, or other relevant material for printing, allowing for precise projection of material performance. By activating inherent physical properties of the material, the additive processes are capable of creating complex three-dimensional shapes that make formwork redundant. The project will investigate additive manufacturing and printing technology and the potential for new material tectonic innovating the way we use for example concrete or other relevant material for additive manufacturing, in architecture and our built environment. The Research will also seek support in the history of additive manufacturing in architecture.

The PhD student is expected to develop new design-led methods that integrate additive manufacturing and 3D printing processes in architecture, which entail testing and prototyping of novel and resourceful building elements that reduce material usage and consider the inherent variable properties of materials.

As part of the scholarship, two secondments are planned: Factum Arte mth 12-16, White mth 24-28The purpose of the secondment at Factum Arte is to embed the project in an experimental context for implementing, testing and evaluating full-scale 3D printing. The purpose of the secondment at White is to embedded the project in a context for speculative projections of the application of additive manufacturing and 3d printing of building elements.

The PhD student will work directly and primarily with the project outlined above together with the support of the other network members. There is also a reciprocal obligation to contribute to other work-packages for the project where necessary and to participate in the planned training activities of the network.

Researcher’s eligibility criteria

A Master’s degree in architecture is required. Mature skills in appropriate fabrication, computational modelling and programming are expected and must be demonstrated in the application. We are looking for a strongly motivated and curious person, a fast learner who is able to work independently in both experimental and theoretical tasks. Good command of English orally and in writing is required.

According to the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, to be eligible, each researcher must fulfill the following criteria at the time of recruitment by the host institution concerned within the time frame of this project:

• Nationality

The researcher may be of any nationality.

• Mobility

At the date of recruitment by the host institution, the researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc…) in the country (Sweden) of the host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her recruitment under the project.

• Qualifications and research experience

Early stage researcher: means a researcher who, at the time of recruitment by the host institution, has not yet been awarded the doctorate degree and is in the first 4 years of his/her research career.