Are you a biologist interested in architecture, design, and engineering? Or an engineer or designer interested in biology? Would you like to contribute to the design of sustainable construction materials? And collaborate within an international consortium of architects, materials and textiles scientists, and engineers to help translate bio-inspired knowledge to the development of modular walls for construction? Then you might be the PhD candidate we are looking for!

As a PhD candidate, you will use various techniques to investigate fiber-reinforced structures in nature, including additive manufacturing, computer simulations, materials testing, and characterization of 3D structures using tomographic techniques. You will also work with architects, designers, and engineers to develop biomimetic models of fiber-reinforced structures in order to help develop next-generation construction materials and further understand the functional morphology of organisms and natural systems.

This study is part of an international project funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) that aims to develop bio-inspired and sustainable construction materials, led by a Vienna-based architect, and in collaboration with international experts in materials science, textiles, design, and engineering and companies at the leading edge of technological development. At the Experimental Zoology Group in Wageningen University (WU), you will have access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and experimental facilities for fabrication and testing. Facilities at our collaborators include various custom additive manufacturing equipment (including textiles) and industrial testing platforms.