Permanent contract | Belval

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

Discover our Environmental Research and Innovation department: ERIN Department

How will you contribute?

Context

You will join the Environmental Sustainability Assessment and Circularity (SUSTAIN) Unit of ERIN. SUSTAIN develops knowledge, transferable (software) technologies, practical methods and outreach activities for the simulation and comprehensive sustainability assessment of societal systems. Its final purpose is to foster sustainable eco-innovation, through products and technologies, as well as support sustainability-oriented policy implementation and behavioural change to promote decarbonisation transitions.

Within the SUSTAIN Unit, you will lead the Sustainable Urban and Built Environment (SUBE) research group.

The activities conducted within the SUBE group tackle the whole life-cycle of built assets (i.e. Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations). They mainly consist in the development and deployment of data-driven methods and tools supporting the transition of construction sector towards low-carbon and sustainable built environments (incl. districts and cities), with a strong focus on the digitalisation of processes and information flows (incl. handling Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Digital Twins).

Description

The Urban and Built Environment (UBE) sector has an acknowledged potential to support several key European 2020-2030 policies contributing to Europe target of climate neutrality by 2050, typically the Green Deal, the Renovation Wave, and the new Circular Economy Action Plan recently adopted by the European Commission. 40% of Europe’s energy consumption comes from buildings, and they generate 36% of GHG emissions in the EU. With a staggering 97% of the housing stock estimated as being energy inefficient, the building sector is one of the key enablers for achieving low carbon economy goals for 2050. In Luxembourg, the UBE market is very active, the number of enterprises in the broad construction sector increased by 20.8% between 2010 and 2018. The country has adapted European environmental priorities to its national level and has also set its own ambitious objectives. Therefore, there is an urgency for a transformation for sustainable living, enhanced by the transition to a digitalized sector. Achieving this twin-transition is critical as well is the integration of the sector with other key value chains, considering that automation and digitalization of the building process is one of the emerging winning aspects of the Construction sector and Real estate market.

Your role – Develop, inspire, and lead interdisciplinary and mission-driven research in the urban and built environment sector.

As head-of-RDI group of LIST, you are an internationally recognized professional with proven track record of scientific and technology excellence in the domain of Sustainable Built Environment.

You will be responsible for the management, coordination, development, and performance of the SUBE group.

Your main missions will consist in:

(i) Shaping and adapting the SUBE group’s strategy:

· Refine and implement – in concertation with the Head of Unit and in alignment with LIST’s missions as an RTO – the RDI strategy of the group. Your overarching vision will be to address the complex set of current and future urban challenges within cities and urban communities, by developing technological solutions, services and systems for smart and sustainable buildings and districts. In addition to strengthen and expand the current technological assets at LIST, you will identify and develop lower TRL research topics which will be key to address the future societal and technological challenges in the domain. The final purpose will be to offer decision makers in municipalities, companies and society the means to act and enable the necessary urban transformations towards climate-neutral and smart cities, in particular through the development of national and international collaborations and partnerships.

· Develop the valorisation of the group's outcomes in terms of patents, licences, prototypes production, spin-offs;

· Develop national, regional, and international collaborations and partnerships through fundamental and applied research projects and service activities.

· Negotiate collaborations and joint research programs with administrations and ministries, as well as private companies.

(ii) Managing the SUBE group through:

· Overall management, coordination and performance follow-up of the research group: lead a multicultural and multidisciplinary team of researchers and create a stimulating and satisfying work environment within the group, assume the operational responsibility of the group's human resources, hire new talents and take care of their integration into the group.

· Fostering interdisciplinary approaches across the group, unit, and department.

· Empowerment of people via the delegation of tasks, as a strong motivational source, offering opportunities to your colleagues for acquiring new skills, expertise, self-confidence, productivity, and career development perspectives.

· Emotional intelligence, transpiring through honest communication – spanning from job interviews, or supervising and evaluating an employee and communicating in an open manner on expectations and potential problems.

· Fostering interdisciplinary approaches across the group, unit, and department.

· Ensure the implementation of the RDI group business plan and that the RDI group's contribution to the RDI Unit performance indicators is achieved.

· Lead the definition and management of a portfolio of national and international projects and activities, aligned with the unit’s vision, mission and goals. Guarantee the professional execution of the RDI projects of the group.

· Ensure the financial follow-up of the group's performance and assist the Head of Unit in reporting tasks and other administrative activities. Supporting the Head of unit on reporting financial and performance indicators.

(iii) Dissemination, valorisation, and transfer of the SUBE group’s RDI results and outputs through:

· Participation in the drafting of scientific articles, technical reports, patents, and inventions.

· Software licences.

· Participation in the implementation of technological solutions (e.g., proof-of-concepts, prototypes) and creation of spin-offs.

(iv) Securing scientific excellence and technological watch through:

· Developing and elevating the SUBE group’s national and international profile.

· Coordinating closely with national and international stakeholders in the construction sector.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

PhD in a scientific field relevant to the field of Sustainable Urban and Built Environment, ideally combined to Master’s degree in engineering or architecture;

Required Seniority

Minimum 10 years post-doctoral experience, including 4-years of experience in leading teams

Experience

You have a proven track record of publications, patents and research project management, with experience building and managing teams and acquiring competitive and industrial research funding.

You are familiar with research with private companies, as well as with the exploitation of the research towards technology.

You have experience in establishing and leading collaborative research projects with private, public and academic partners and you have proven your experience in European projects and road mapping.

Language skills

Flawless knowledge of English (both spoken and written) is required.

Knowledge of German and/or French and/or Luxembourgish is considered as an asset.

Your LIST benefits

· An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects

· Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society

· Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do

· An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas

· Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills

· Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce

· Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions

· Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science

· 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance

· Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Apply online

Your application must include:

· A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience

· A scientific CV with contact details

· List of publications (and patents, if applicable)

· Contact details of 2 references

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

Your diploma has to be recognized in Luxembourg. Please refer to:

https://www.uni.lu/en/admissions/diploma-recognition/

https://guichet.public.lu/fr/citoyens/enseignement-formation/etudes-superieures/reconnaissance-diplomes.html

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