This PhD project will support the R&D of novel building-integrated renewable energy systems through the development of a multi-criteria decision-support framework. The project will explore optimal combinations of PV and solar thermal energy harvesting as part of the overall building energy system, including energy storage. Through the integration of such systems in the building envelope (incl. facades and glazed areas), balanced trade-off solutions can be found considering multiple competing performance criteria, such as: CO2 emissions, indoor environmental quality (thermal and daylight), onsite energy matching and life-cycle costs. 

The objective of this project is to advance modeling and simulation techniques to help bridge the gap between building and energy systems design, as well as the integration of innovative BIPV/T systems in the urban environment. Techniques for 'optimization under uncertainty' will be developed, while it is foreseen that the modeling and simulation work will also be combined with data analytics and monitoring campaigns in the outdoor testing lab SolarBEAT: 
https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-labs/solarbeat/

The research will be embedded in the Building Performance (BP) research group at the Department of the Built Environment (https://www.tue.nl/buildingperformanc) and will be carried out in close collaboration with a network of industrial partners from both the building and the solar industry.

We are looking for excellent and highly motivated candidates with an MSc degree in Architectural Engineering, Building Science, Building, Civil, Mechanical or Environmental Engineering, or equivalent. Interest in physical processes (heat, air and moisture transfer) in the built environment, sustainable energy technologies and experience in computational building performance simulation is essential. 

We offer a stimulating and ambitious research environment. To complement this environment and for the specific projects mentioned above, we are looking for outstanding candidates that meet the following requirements: 

• You are highly motivated, talented and enthusiastic.
• You have a relevant MSc degree as indicated above.
• You have an independent and well-structured working style.
• You are interested in supervising master students.
• You have strong communication skills and the attitude to participate successfully in a multidisciplinary team.
• Professional working proficiency in English.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
• To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called '30% facility', which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.