PRR Project

Summary

CEAU is seeking to appoint a seasoned researcher to its permanent team tasked with spearheading a research initiative on the digital future of modular construction. This critical role focuses on developing sustainable solutions within the construction industry, particularly for affordable housing amidst environmental challenges. The research will align with the New European Bauhaus principles, exploring modular "offsite" construction and the digitalization of architectural and construction practices. This endeavor will further the expertise established through the RRP-funded R2U Technologies project executed by CEAU´s Digital Fabrication Laboratory (DFL).TASKSThe appointed researcher will:— Develop modular housing concepts utilizing computational design, Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital fabrication, and design configuration platforms.— Analyze and document the principles, systems, materials, and components for innovative solutions transitioning from lab to industrial production.— Perform economic, performance, and lifecycle assessments of the developed solutions in partnership with academic and industry entities.— Produce presentations, simulations, models, and prototypes to support design and communication processes.— Lead and manage educational and dissemination efforts to promote and share research findings within the academic and broader community.— Work in coordination with CEAU and the DFL on research and development operations.PROFILE— PhD in Architecture, specializing in computational design and/or digital fabrication technologies.— Proficient in applying advanced technologies in practice, including computational design, digital fabrication, BIM, robotics, performative analysis (e.g., environmental, energy), and virtual simulation.— Ability to thrive in multidisciplinary settings and engage successfully with industry and non-academic stakeholders.— Prominent track record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.— Proven history of coordinating international research projects and securing funding.— Experience in teaching and supervising master´s and doctoral dissertations.CONTEXTThe Faculty of Architecture at the University of Porto (FAUP) is recognized as Portugal´s premier institution for architectural education. Within FAUP, the Centre for Studies in Architecture and Urbanism (CEAU) operates as a dynamic research unit, hosting over eight specialized groups that cover a broad spectrum of architectural disciplines, from theoretical foundations to practical applications at both housing and metropolitan scales. These groups have earned notable acclaim for their contributions to their fields and engage in cross-collaborative efforts to tackle expansive research challenges. CEAU has become a magnet for international researchers and a conducive environment for executing ERC grants, thanks to its collaborative ethos with various entities, including academic departments, industry partners, and international groups.The DFL within CEAU is at the forefront of integrating digital technologies into architectural thinking, design, and construction and has led pioneering research on robotic technologies and their application in Portuguese architecture through FCT-funded projects, gaining global recognition. The coordinator is affiliated with the European scientific organization eCAADe and is a member of the New European Bauhaus High-Level Roundtable. Furthermore, the DFL researchers organized the distinguished eCAADe SIGraDi 2019 Conference.Key to this position is the "R2U Technologies" project at the DFL, running until 2025. Funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), this project on modular construction involves a consortium of over 40 partners from industry and academia, showcasing the DFL´s lead in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration within CEAU. This role offers the chance to contribute to and extend the project´s initiatives, utilizing its resources and findings. CEAU is positioned as the prime environment for this role, aiming to achieve significant outcomes on both national and international stages.