PhD scholarship in Runtime Multimodal Multiplayer Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) - DTU Construct

Jobbeskrivelse

The Digital Building Technologies (DBT) Section at DTU Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department is looking for an ambitious, motivated and skilled PhD student eager to dedicate three years emphasizing the development and testing of next-generation serious gaming approaches with respect to construction safety, health, and well-being or emergency response applications.

This PhD project aims to develop a field-realistic VLE prototype for education and training purposes of emergency response, construction safety and health, lean construction, construction progress inspection, and capital facility maintenance operations. The virtual education and training environment incorporates Digital Twin Construction project data, multimodal and augmented tools for realistic haptic control and feedback, and real-time agent-based simulation for guiding optimal work performance. Following smart serious gaming approaches, novel artificial intelligence forecasts human behavior and provides active personalized learning for improved instant decision making. Key beneficiaries are expected to be construction industry stakeholders, for example, project owners, architects, engineers, site management (incl. health, safety, environment), equipment operators, pedestrian workers, and emergency responders.

Responsibilities and qualifications

• Your primary responsibilities and tasks include (but not limited to):
• All steps from requirements analysis to conceptual design and final creation and validation of Runtime Multimodal Multiplayer Virtual Learning Environment (RMM-VLE) based on DTCS and real-time IoT/sensor data
• Assessment of pedagogical value in user experience studies on enhancing learning experiences (e.g., engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention) through immersive and interactive VLE
• Preparation of scientific publications and effective presentation of the research findings in international conferences, workshops, and training schools.
• Active support of REUNATECH’s vision and mission statements and across the doctoral training network
• Support of relevant teaching activities of DTU’s Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department
• Co-supervision of BSc and MSc projects that are complementary of this PhD project

Candidate Profile

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. You should be a motivated candidate with background in Civil or Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering fields. Additionally, you should be equipped with critical qualifications and technical skills that are listed below.

• MSc Degree (or equivalent) in Civil or Mechanical Engineering or other related engineering or science fields (e.g., Architectural, Electrical, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Autonomous Systems, Computer Science, Medical Engineering, and Human Psychology)
• Excellent background in the design, creation, and testing of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE), serious gaming, agent-based simulation, knowledge of relevant research methodologies and practical experience with adequate state-of-the-art tools
• Very strong skills in coding (e.g., Python, C#, C++) and demonstration in the development of serious games (e.g., Unity, Unreal) is required, ideally for pedagogical use
• Solid background or interest in emergency response, construction safety, health and well-being (PtD/P, HECA, pro-active real-time safety technology), and lean construction methods (e.g., TPTC, LPS, LBS)
• Familiarity and experience with building and infrastructure construction sector projects (e.g., capital facilities, industrial, commercial, education, road, railway and/or maritime or offshore) are helpful
• Construction engineering and project management knowledge and skills are advantageous
• Strong analytical and technical problem-solving skills, with a solid foundation in computational engineering
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in planning and executing computational and experimental research incl. studies on user experience, usability, and net promoter scoring
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities, with a commitment to contributing to interdisciplinary research and collaborative projects
• Self-motivated to publish results in international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings
• Willingness to join multi-national secondments
• Fluent in written and spoken English

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment

The assessment of the applicants will be undertaken by the members of the supervisory team embracing this PhD scholarship.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. The expected starting date for the PhD scholarship is 1 April 2026. The position is a full-time position.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Professor Jochen Teizer from DTU - Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at teizerj@dtu.dk. Additionally, general information about the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network REUNATECH can be found by reaching the REUNATECH’s Management Team at reunatech@rwth-aachen.de.

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 October 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• List of Publications (if any) and results or experiences from related projects in serious game development, digital twins, and internet of things
• Evidence of English proficiency
• Any additional material useful for the assessment of your application (e.g., recommendation letters, research project/statement in agreement with the requirements specified above)

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. The compiled PDF file should also be sent by email to the following address as part of the complete application: reunatech@rwth-aachen.de. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.