PhD Position in Human-Computer Interaction and Extended Reality in Architectural Design and Fab

PhD Position in Human–Computer Interaction and Extended Reality in Architectural Design and Fabrication

Human–Computer Interaction in Architecture and Digital Fabrication

This fully funded, full-time PhD position spans four years and is embedded within the interdisciplinary research environment at the Professorship of Architecture and Human Augmentation at ETH Zürich. We are looking for a highly self-driven and motivated researcher with a strong commitment to rigorous and applied research within an interdisciplinary academic environment. The research focuses on human–computer interaction (HCI) in architectural design and fabrication, with a particular emphasis on extended reality (XR), machine vision, and human-robot collaboration.

The research investigates how interactive computational tools, extended reality (XR), and robotic systems can augment human agency in architectural production. It examines the roles of interfaces, feedback systems, and embodied interaction in bridging design intent, material behaviour, and robotic execution across design-to-fabrication workflows. Specifically, the work will develop within those research streams:

• developing tools and workflows to efficiently assess discarded materials
• creating a digital inventory of reclaimed components
• developing computational representations of assembly and disassembly processes
• establishing a robust pipeline linking this inventory to CAD models

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct original research, design and run studies, develop and evaluate prototypes, analyze data, and disseminate results through publications and presentations. You will collaborate closely with the research team and partners, contribute to lab life, and support teaching and student supervision. Tasks include:

• Conduct independent research within the project scope