Postdoc in Indoor Air Quality in EPFL – Switzerland

Summary

EPFL is seeking applications for a postdoctoral researcher in Indoor Air Quality within the School of Architecture Civil and Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will join the Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab (HOBEL) at EPFL's Fribourg campus in Switzerland. The role involves advancing understanding of indoor air pollutants, particularly aerosols and ultrafine particles, and their implications for human exposure. The position offers considerable freedom to shape research directions, including sources, concentrations, transformations, and human exposure to indoor pollutants, using experimental characterization and modeling. Candidates should hold a PhD in a related engineering or science field, possess strong research expertise, data analysis skills, and a good publication record. The contract is temporary, with a preference for a multi-year appointment (minimum 2 years), offering a competitive salary. The application deadline is October 15, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	Civil Engineering, School of Architecture Civil and Environmental Engineering
Position Type	Postdoc
Discipline	Engineering, Environmental science
Research Area	Indoor Air Quality, Human Exposure, Built Environment, Indoor Aerosols, Ultrafine Particles
Degree Required	PhD degree or a PhD nearing completion
Experience	Demonstrated research expertise in relevant areas, strong aptitude for experimental and/or computational research, experience with quantitative data analysis, proficiency in programming, strong publication record
Salary	Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with EPFL regulations
Funding	Not funded by a EU programme
Contract Duration	Temporary, multi-year appointment (minimum 2 years), given on an annual basis
Language	English
Deadline	2026-10-15
Employer Address	Passage du Cardinal 13b, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland

About the Project

The research project aims to advance the understanding of indoor air pollutants and their implications for human exposure, with a particular focus on indoor aerosols and ultrafine particles (UFPs). Potential research directions include investigating sources and emissions of indoor air pollutants, studying the concentrations, dynamics, and transformations of indoor pollutants (including physical and chemical processes), analyzing human inhalation exposure to indoor air pollutants and influencing factors, conducting experimental characterization of indoor aerosols and other air pollutants (including source-resolved measurements), and modeling indoor pollutant emissions, transport, transformation, and exposure using various computational approaches. Projects may combine controlled laboratory experiments, real-world building measurements, data analysis, and modeling.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape research within the broader scope of the laboratory, with considerable freedom
• Develop and lead high-quality research projects
• Publish in leading peer-reviewed journals
• Present research at international conferences
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners in Switzerland and internationally
• Work with state-of-the-art research infrastructure and facilities
• Contribute where appropriate to teaching and other academic activities
• Develop an independent research profile within a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment

Required Skills

• PhD degree or PhD nearing completion in environmental, civil, chemical, mechanical, or architectural engineering, aerosol science, atmospheric science, exposure science, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated research expertise in indoor air quality, aerosol science, ultrafine particles, air pollution exposure science, environmental measurements, or pollutant modeling
• Strong aptitude for experimental and/or computational research
• Experience with quantitative data analysis
• Proficiency in one or more programming or scientific computing environments (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB)
• Strong publication record appropriate to career stage
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Who Should Apply

Strong candidates with a PhD degree or nearing completion in environmental, civil, chemical, mechanical, or architectural engineering, aerosol science, atmospheric science, exposure science, or a closely related field. Applicants should have demonstrated research expertise in indoor air quality, aerosol science, ultrafine particles, air pollution exposure science, environmental measurements, or pollutant modeling. They must possess a strong aptitude for experimental and/or computational research, experience with quantitative data analysis, proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, or MATLAB, and a strong publication record. The ability to work independently and collaboratively, along with excellent English communication skills, is essential.

Benefits

• Join an international and interdisciplinary research team
• Opportunities to develop and lead high-quality research projects
• Opportunities to publish in leading peer-reviewed journals
• Opportunities to present research at international conferences
• Opportunities to collaborate with academic and industrial partners in Switzerland and internationally
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure and facilities at EPFL in Fribourg and Lausanne
• Opportunities to contribute to teaching and other academic activities
• Opportunities to develop an independent research profile within a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment
• Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with EPFL regulations

About the Employer

EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne) is seeking applications for a postdoctoral researcher position within the School of Architecture Civil and Environmental Engineering. The successful candidate will join the Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab (HOBEL), based at EPFL's Fribourg campus in Switzerland. HOBEL conducts research at the intersection of indoor air quality, human exposure, and the built environment. The position is based primarily at EPFL’s Fribourg campus, with access to EPFL facilities and research infrastructure in both Fribourg and Lausanne.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary location for this postdoctoral position?

The successful candidate will be based primarily at EPFL’s Fribourg campus, with access to EPFL facilities and research infrastructure in both Fribourg and Lausanne.

What is the minimum contract duration for this position?

The contracts are given on an annual basis, but the institution is seeking a multi-year appointment with a minimum duration of 2 years.

Is this job funded through an EU Research Framework Programme?

No, the job is not funded by an EU programme.

What are the main research interests of the Human-Oriented Built Environment Lab (HOBEL)?

HOBEL conducts research at the intersection of indoor air quality, human exposure, and the built environment, with a particular interest in indoor aerosols and ultrafine particles (UFPs).

What programming or scientific computing environments are preferred for this role?

Proficiency in one or more programming or scientific computing environments such as Python, R, or MATLAB is preferred.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is October 15, 2026.