PhD Stipend in AI-supported computational design workflows for sustainable and performance-driven architecture

The Department of Architecture Design and Media Technology at the Technical Faculty of IT and Design at Aalborg University invites applications for a 3-year Ph.D. scholarship focusing on AI-supported and performance-driven design methods in architecture available from 1st of March 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Your work tasks
The PhD stipend is financed by Aalborg University as part of a new initiative establishing a generative sustainability lab between the Department of Sustainability and Planning and the Department of Architecture Design and Media Technology. This interdisciplinary lab will include two PhD students and a cross-disciplinary team of supervisors. The team members including the two PhD students will collaborate closely to bridge technical development and creative design processes. The lab will provide access to shared resources joint supervision and interdisciplinary training in AI Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and computational design tools.

The objective of the project is to explore how generative AI can be integrated into the early stages of the architectural design process to improve sustainability-driven decision-making. A main challenge is finding ways to link AI-driven creativity with clear environmental performance feedback early in the architectural design process. This phase is characterized by high uncertainty in data availability and design parameters. Importantly the AI implementation should act as a facilitator of creativity enhancing and inspiring the early architectural design phase rather than constraining or replacing it. The goal is to understand how a trustworthy LCA AI assistant can provide meaningful and actionable feedback early in the creative design process. This requires addressing questions such as:

• What role can AI-based design tools play in shaping material choices structural properties and life cycle performance
• How can uncertainty in LCA results during early design stages be modeled and communicated ensuring that sustainability insights remain actionable despite incomplete or evolving data

The successful PhD candidates will be expected to:

• Work closely with the other PhD student in the interdisciplinary lab to bridge environmental concerns and creative design processes.
• Investigate novel computational and performance-driven design workflows and their impact on creative thinking and ideation within the early stages of the architectural design process.
• Implement computational-based approaches for the exploration of sustainable design solutions utilizing generative AI and advanced computational design technologies (ex. Rhino 3D Grasshopper Python).
• Explore new trajectories for the advancement of AI-supported integrated architecture and its potential impact on the build environment.
• Contribute to developing open-source tools and code repositories
• Produce high-level scientific publications and present findings at international conferences.
• Carry out teaching activities as part of the PhD program.

Your competencies
The ideal candidate for these projects has excellent academic qualifications strong self-motivation and a genuine interest in environmental issues design and AI. Preferably the candidate has experience with relevant software/AI tools and/or environmental science. Relevant educational backgrounds include architecture and/or engineering. Experience with research in integrated design environments computational design and sustainable architecture along with the ability to plan and work independently. Documented experience with Life Cycle Assessment and computational design tools/technologies such as Rhino 3D Grasshopper Python will be considered a strong advantage. Proficiency in English is required and knowledge of Danish will be an asset.

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Masters degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Who we are
The Department for Architecture Design and Media Technology CREATE is unique in the Danish context as it provides opportunities for powerful interdisciplinary research which integrate creativity engineering and technology within the disciplines of architecture urban design industrial design digital design and interactive media (). The department is a leading research and educational environment in Denmark that addresses the challenge of the interplay between creativity and technology and develops new areas in research and education directed towards the end-user.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor and masters degree diploma)
• Applicants are required to prepare a small slide presentation that addresses their understanding of the projects problem the angle they want to take and the expected challenges as well as ideas to overcome them (max 6 slides). The slides can include both images and text and will serve as a starting point during the interview.
• Other relevant documents

The application must be submitted via Aalborg Universitys recruitment system which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg Universitys website.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore everyone regardless of personal background and orientation is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions
If you have any questions about the position you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline the head of the department with the assistance of the hiring committee will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires ensuring the safety compliance and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish)

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers students and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights new solutions to societal problems and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.