Doctoral position in History and Theories of Architecture, Technology and Media

The laboratory for History and Theories of Architecture, Technology and Media (HITAM) at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) offers one doctoral fellowship to start on October 1, 2023. Situated within the School of Architecture, Civil & Environmental Engineering (ENAC), the research group directed by Professor Alfredo Thiermann focuses on the history of architecture as it intersects with different technical media.

We seek applications from researchers with diverse academic backgrounds that can contribute to the interdisciplinary study of the history of architecture in relation to media, technology and the environment across different times spans and diverse territories. Special consideration will be given to projects that closely engage with original archival sources and multiple material records that address, with solid historical evidence, pressing contemporary questions.

The history of architecture has been traditionally understood in relationship to the production and circulation of materials, goods, and people. Alternative to this common approach, the work of the laboratory for History and Theories of Architecture, Technology and Media focuses on the history of architecture and its entanglements with the production, storage, transmission, and reception of information. In a contemporary world defined by the fascination and anxiety triggered by the ubiquitous presence of information and its expanded technological apparatus, the work of the laboratory seeks to interrogate—with historical depth—the social, political, economic, and ecological dimensions of this condition. Far from understanding this phenomenon as ephemeral and immaterial, the work of our laboratory focuses on the built and material aspect of this condition. We seek research projects that resonate with or expand from this set of interests.

Funding for this research-based position is provided for three years with the possibility to extended to a fourth year. The yearly compensation is in accordance with EPFL’s policy of basic starting salaries for doctoral students.

All applications should be emailed to hitam@epfl.ch. Please, present the following documents in a single PDF file:
–Letter of motivation (two pages max)
–Curriculum vitae (three pages max)
–Outline of a research project to be completed within the funded period. (five pages maximum).
–Contact details (including name, email address, and affiliation) for two academic references. No letters will be accepted in the first round; references will only be requested for short-listed candidates.

Please name your file: HITAM_LAST NAME_NAME.pdf. Submission deadline: June 1, 2023, 11:59pm CET.

For general information on working and studying at EPFL, please refer to EPFL’s doctoral website. Successful candidates will be enrolled in the program of EDAR Architecture and Sciences of the City. 

Contact: hitam@epfl.ch

*Image above: Floor plan of the first level of the Haus des Rundfunks designed by Hans Poelzig in its design development face (1931). Source: TU Berlin Architekturmuseum, Inv. Nr. 4620.