PhD : Trade-off and tipping dynamics in urban transitions at EPFL

Mission

Understanding how urban sustainability transitions interact: How do transformations in different urban sectors—such as energy and food—interact? Under what conditions do they reinforce one another or create trade-offs, and when do they trigger tipping dynamics?

The Laboratory for Human-Environment Relations in Urban Systems (HERUS) at the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC), EPFL, investigates how urban systems transform towards sustainability. We are looking for a PhD candidate to investigate coupled sustainability transitions, with an initial focus on the interactions between energy and food systems. 

The PhD project is embedded within the ongoing research project “Tipping Transition”, which investigates the drivers and dynamics of renewable energy technology adoption in housing in Lausanne. An interdisciplinary agent-based model (ABM) has been developed to represent the energy transition at the level of Lausanne, integrating not only economic factors but also social and behavioural dimensions, such as attitudes, social norm, and their evolution over time. 

The PhD project “Trade-off and tipping dynamics in urban transitions “ will extend this modelling framework to investigate interactions between different urban sectors, initially focusing on energy and food. A particular focus will be placed on the role of provisioning systems—the infrastructures, technologies, institutions, markets, and practices through which goods and services are provided—in enabling or constraining sustainability transitions. 

The successful candidate will work in collaboration with a current PhD researcher developing the energy transition model. This provides an opportunity to build on an established modelling framework, contribute to its further development, and benefit from expertise and ongoing research. 

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop a framework for analyzing coupled sustainability transitions in urban systems. 
• Extend and further develop an interdisciplinary agent-based model of urban transitions in Lausanne. 
• Investigate synergies, trade-offs, and tipping dynamics between sectors such as energy and food. 
• Analyse how changes in provisioning systems influence sustainability transitions 
• Develop and conduct your own research under the guidance of Prof. Claudia R. Binder. 
• Collaborate closely with the HERUS research team and the existing PhD project. 
• Publish research findings in international peer-reviewed journals and present them at scientific conferences. 
• Contribute to teaching and student supervision at EPFL (20%). 

Profile

• An excellent MSc degree in Computer Science, Energy Science, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability Science, Geography, or a closely related interdiscipline.
• A strong interest in sustainability transitions and/or urban systems tipping dynamics.
• Good knowledge of computational modelling and programming. Experience with Python and agent-based modelling is particularly valuable. Knowledge of Scala or Julia is an asset. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and an interest in interdisciplinary research. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, and a high level of motivation for academic research.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of French and/or German is an asset. 

Previous experience with agent-based modelling or sustainability transitions is welcome, but candidates with a strong quantitative or computational background and an interest in developing interdisciplinary expertise are also encouraged to apply. 

We offer

• A PhD position for up to four years within an interdisciplinary and international research environment at EPFL. 
• The opportunity to develop an independent research profile at the intersection of computational modelling, sustainability science, and urban studies. 
• Close collaboration with the HERUS research team.
• The opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative approaches for understanding interconnected urban sustainability transitions.
• Structured doctoral training through EPFL doctoral programs and close research mentorship. 

Informations

The selection process involves multiple stages, and short-listed candidates will be requested to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for a PhD at EPFL, i.e. EDCE.
Please check this page for additional information on admission.

Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL.

Your application should contain:

• Motivation letter: A statement (max. one page), where you outline why you want to join this group, what your specific interests are, how your skills can contribute to the mission of the HERUS laboratory and how you think you can advance in your own academic/scholarly pursuit while being a part of the team. 
• Detailed CV
• Contact information 
• The names and contact information of 3 references  
• Transcript of records (Bachelor and Master) 

Application deadline: 12/11/2026

 Contract Start Date: 02/01/2027

Activity Rate: 100.00

Contract Type: CDD

Duration: 4 years

Reference: 2503

For inquiries regarding the position and project scope, please contact Prof. Claudia R. Binder (claudia.binder@epfl.ch) or Dr. Maria Anna Hecher (maria.hecher@epfl.ch).

For more information on past and ongoing research at HERUS, please visit: http://herus.epfl.ch/