This project is now closed

The Energy Environment and Water Research Center (EEWRC) of the Cyprus Institute is seeking two PhD Students (f/m/d) in the field of multi-sensory perception of indoor spaces to participate in the MSCA Doctoral Networks “Multi-sensory Solutions for Increasing human-building resilience in the face of Climate change” (MuSIC).

Both positions start on 2^nd October 2023 and are full-time positions (40 hours/week) funded for a period of 36 months.

The successful applicant will be enrolled in the PhD program: Energy, Environment and Atmospheric Sciences of the Cyprus Institute.

The Cyprus Institute and the Graduate School
The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a non-profit research and educational institution with a strong scientific and technological orientation, emphasizing international collaborations, cross-disciplinary research, innovation, and post-graduate education. CyI, through its established research centres, addresses challenging issues that are important at both the regional and international levels. Many of its research activities are being carried out in partnership with leading institutions in respective thematic areas. The Cyprus Institute actuates its educational mission through its Graduate School. It is a fully accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education offering exclusively postgraduate programs. It maintains a small number of students that are fully integrated into the research activities of the institute. This provides the students with the opportunity to acquire hands-on training in the use of the latest methods and techniques, have access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, and conduct research with internationally recognized research teams.

The selected candidate will be working at the Energy, Environment and Water Research Centre (EEWRC) of the Cyprus Institute within a highly international environment. The EEWRC was the first Research Centre of CyI. It comprises the Energy Department and the Water Department. The Energy Department works in the areas of (1) Energy production from renewable energy sources and associated issues of energy storage and desalination, (2) Energy planning, techno-economic studies and policy issues, and (3) Sustainability in the Built Environment with emphasis on sustainable use of energy.

Project Description
The position is part of the MSCA Doctoral Networks “Multi-sensory Solutions for Increasing human-building resilience in the face of Climate change” (MuSIC). Climate change is leading to more frequent and severe extreme climate phenomena, affecting vulnerable subpopulations like children, the elderly, and the poor, as well as healthy people and their well-being. To increase human-building resilience against climate change, active building solutions are often sought and promoted. However, they require substantial energy use and thereby generate further environmental impact and/or lead to adverse effects like increased noise or pollution. Also, these solutions protect from exposures rather than actually increasing human resilience.

On the contrary, passive and hybrid solutions do not contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions but are often regarded as less robust and predictable and are affected by design challenges and potential rebound effects. For example, increased use of solar shading may affect lighting requirements, and night-time ventilation may influence indoor noise levels. With this multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral MSCA doctoral network, MuSIC will address these challenges within the context of the existing European building stock and will provide solutions from a human-centred viewpoint. Five academic and one non-academic beneficiaries, together with two academic and three non-academic associated partners, will strive to educate the next generation of highly qualified young professionals able to provide future generations with more liveable and sustainable indoor and outdoor spaces in and management systems of cities by applying cutting-edge solutions, multi-sensory and multi-dimensional research and industrial development. 10 Doctoral Candidates will experience interdisciplinary and intersectoral training modules on science and technology as well as transferable skills and conduct individual R&D projects for improved understanding and predictability of human reactions and innovative human-centric building- and community-related solutions for increasing human-building resilience in the face of climate change.

The individual research project no. 10 is titled “Human-centric passive and hybrid strategies for adapting buildings and neighbourhoods to the changing climate”. It will identify, through a participatory process, passive and hybrid adaptation strategies for building and neighbourhood applications and assess their climate resilience potential in mitigating the impacts of climate-induced phenomena like heatwaves, extreme temperatures and dust increase. The objective is to study the potential of human-centric passive and hybrid strategies for adapting buildings and neighbourhoods to the changing climate.

To complement the experience and training in Nicosia, the project includes planned secondments at Università degli Studi di Perugia (Prof. Anna Laura Pisello at months M12-15), ATI PROJECTS doo (at months M18-21) and Huygen Ingenieurs & Adviseurs B.V. (at month M23).

Tasks
The colleague interested in interdisciplinary and international work is expected to focus on the planning and implementation of a research project at the interface between modelling, co-participation methods and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Tasks include:

• Development of future climate projections and microclimate analysis for a pilot case study
• Creation of an open living laboratory to identify and characterize passive and hybrid adaptation solutions suitable to citizens
• Multi-sensory field monitoring campaign for model validation

Qualification Requirements

• The candidate is required to have an excellent master’s degree or equivalent with a focus on Building Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, and Architecture, NOT to have any kind of PhD degree.
• Programming and modelling skills (e.g., Python)
• Statistical analysis (e.g., SPSS, R)
• Fluency in written and oral English is compulsory.
• Willingness to travel internationally for the purpose of research, training and dissemination is mandatory.
• Previous research experience, although appreciated, is not mandatory.

Preferred Qualifications
Additional appreciated skills and competencies are:

• Knowledge or experience in participatory approaches and living labs methodologies.
• Knowledge regarding the interaction between humans and the environment with regard to influences of indoor climate and air quality (first priority), as well as visual and acoustic conditions on physiologic, psychological and/or behavioural reactions.
• An outstanding research interest in interdisciplinary and internationally visible research.
• Independent and accurate work ethic, a strong sense of responsibility, the ability to integrate into a team and project management skills.

Eligibility Requirements
Doctoral candidate (DC) appointments are full-time fixed term for 36 months. Candidates matching the required profile will be evaluated until a successful candidate is appointed. There are strict eligibility rules associated with recruitment in MSCA Doctoral Networks.

Career
At the time of recruitment, the DC must hold a Master's degree giving access to a PhD. A PhD degree in any field is not compatible with this DC position.

Mobility
Transnational mobility is an essential requirement of MSCA Doctoral Networks. At the time of recruitment, the DC must not have resided in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date and not have carried out in Cyprus his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.). Applicants must be aware that seconding periods are planned for this position as described above.

Language
A good knowledge of spoken and written English is required and will be evaluated during the selection process.

How to apply
Applicants should refer to additional information about admission requirements which can be found on CyI’s website under the PhD in Energy, Environment and Atmospheric Sciences Admissions section.

Furthermore, the applicants are asked to fill out this application form and attach it to their Personal Statement.

Kindly note that applications should be sent through the online application system of The Cyprus Institute Graduate School. When applying through the online application, in Step 2 of the application, applicants should enter the specific PhD project reference code GS-EAS-MUSIC-22-ESR10-2 in order to be considered for the position.

With the submission of the documents, applicants agree that the documents will be shared among all PIs of the MuSIC consortium and additional members of the respective search committees.

Application deadlines: 

• Regular admissions (Open for EU and International students): 1^st of April
• Late admissions (Open for EU and international students who do not require a VISA): 30^th of July.

Evaluation and interview
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of all documentation needed to submit an application, as well as at least one interview (additional interviews could be required). The documents will be evaluated according to their completeness, relevant expertise and knowledge, dedication to the topic of the project, university scores and demonstrated English language skills. The interview(s) will take place at the host institution or, for those candidates who are not able to travel to Nicosia (Cyprus), by internet connection. During the interview, the motivation to complete PhD, mastering project topics, personality, English command and communication skills will be assessed, as well as potentially the knowledge transfer capability, independent thinking and the level of maturity in dealing with scientific issues. The candidates will be ranked according to both their records and the interview(s). The candidate in the highest-ranking position will be offered the position. If, for any reason, the selected candidate declines the offer or fails to comply with the requirements for enrolment in the position, the one following in the list will be selected.

Rights and Responsibilities of Researchers Participating in Marie Skłodwska-Curie Actions
The European Charter for Researchers is a set of general principles and requirements which specify the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of both researchers and the employers and/or funders of researchers. The aim of the Charter is to ensure that the nature of the relationship between researchers and employers or funders is conducive to successful performance in generating, transferring, sharing and disseminating knowledge and technological development and to the career development of the researchers.

It is obligatory for applicants to read and understand the detailed information regarding the rights and responsibilities of researchers engaged in an MSCA Doctoral Network.

The European Charter for researchers can be accessed at: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/european-charter

Employment Contract and Financial Aid
The selected candidate will be appointed under a 36-months full-time employment contract. A competitive financial aid package will be offered to the successful candidate with a gross annual salary up to €38,950, depending on family status as per MSCA relevant provisions.

Contact Information
For further information, please contact Professor Salvatore Carlucci (e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

For more information about postgraduate studies at The Cyprus Institute and admission requirements, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies of The Cyprus Institute at email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tel: +357 22208614.