PhD Position in Biomineralization of Digitally Fabricated Granular Materials

About the role

EPFL in Lausanne offers a full-time (100%) PhD position in the Laloui Group, within the SNSF-funded project "DFabuLis: Digital Fabrication Using Living Systems". The project, led by Dr. Dimitrios Terzis and Prof. Benjamin Dillenburger, studies how biologically driven mineralization can turn demolition and excavation materials into materials suitable for digital fabrication under ambient conditions. The PhD investigates the coupled biogeochemical, rheological and mechanical mechanisms behind particle deposition, mineral precipitation and hardening.

Key responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the dissertation and the progress of the research.
• Carry out research in close collaboration with project partners at EPFL and ETH Zurich, and with industry partners where applicable.
• Design and run experiments, and analyse and interpret the results.
• Write scientific articles for peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences.
• Participate in teaching and supervise student projects.
• Specifically: study the rheology and processability of granular materials (yield stress, plastic viscosity, thixotropy, water content, ageing, particle interactions); investigate microbial activity and biologically driven mineral precipitation; characterise the coupling of biogeochemical reactions, rheology and mechanical behaviour; and connect findings to extrusion 3D printing and robotic spraying with the ETH Zurich digital fabrication team.

Required profile

• MSc in Civil Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• A background in mechanics and the strength of solid materials, or materials science applied to the built environment, is particularly welcome.
• Interest in experimental and interdisciplinary research and in turning fundamental understanding into new construction technologies.
• Good communication skills, teamwork spirit, enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, organisational skills and rigor in experimental work.
• High motivation for academic research and fluency in English.

Required skills

• An advantage: experience in rheology, granular or cementitious materials, experimental mechanics, material characterisation, geomechanics, mineralogy or organic and inorganic chemistry.
• Expertise across these fields is not required.

The contract starts on 1 March 2027, is a 1-year PhD position renewable, and requires applying to the EDME doctoral programme at EPFL alongside the application.