PhD in Nature-Inspired Facade Design for Mental Wellbeing and Overheating Resilience
Explore how nature-inspired visual patterns in building facades enhance mental wellbeing and reduce overheating stress through interdisciplinary research.
Best for:Best for interdisciplinary researchers with a background in environmental psychology, lighting, or architectural engineering, passionate about human-centric design and experimental methods.
Overview
This PhD position at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) investigates whether nature-inspired visual patterns in building facades can improve occupant mental wellbeing and tolerance to thermal discomfort, particularly during summer overheating. The project combines environmental psychology, lighting research, and building physics to develop nature-driven building skin solutions. You will conduct experiments in virtual reality and real-world settings, collaborate with industry partners, and apply advanced statistical methods and building simulations. The research is part of the NWO KIC project ‘Nature4Homes’ and involves a secondment at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).
What you'll do
- Conduct literature reviews and experimental research on the impact of nature-inspired visual patterns on mental wellbeing and thermal comfort.
- Design and execute experiments in virtual reality and real-world settings to test nature-inspired façade elements.
- Collaborate with industry partners to develop and test nature-inspired façade interventions in TU Delft’s Green Village living lab.
- Collect and analyze self-reported, physiological, and environmental data using advanced statistical methods and building simulations.
- Apply computer vision techniques to analyze visual patterns and their effects on occupants.
- Develop nature-inspired façade elements through co-creation with stakeholders.
- Contribute to teaching tasks (10-15% of time) and mentor students.
- Present research findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in environmental psychology, lighting research, architectural or building engineering, or human-technology interaction.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; C1 proficiency level
Instruction: English
- Proficient in experimental research with human participants and quantitative data analysis.
- Experience or willingness to learn building simulation, façade technologies, and programming.
- Strong research-oriented attitude and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
- Ability to work with industry partners and co-create solutions.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
- No specific nationality or residency restrictions mentioned.
- No age or prior experience caps.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-02 · open until filled
Submit a complete application online including a cover letter, CV with publications and references, a brief description of your MSc thesis and related research projects, and a list of Master’s and Bachelor’s courses with grades. Applications are screened as soon as possible, and the vacancy remains open until filled.
- Cover letter describing motivation and qualifications
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with publications and reference contact information
- Brief description of MSc thesis (topic, method, contribution)
- List of Master’s and Bachelor’s courses with grades
- Three reference letters (may be requested later)
Contact
Dr. Kynthia Chamilothori· Hiring Manager
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