PZIB - Doctoral Research Center of Integrated Buildings

The Doctoral Research Center of Integrated Buildings (PZIB) represents one of the most important areas of research at HM Munich University of Applied Sciences (HM) and OTH Regensburg (OTHR). Given major challenges posed by climate change, resource shortages and disruptive technological as well as social changes, the members of the PZIB are convinced that strategies, standards, design principles, and processes in the construction industry need to be reviewed, redesigned, and adapted accordingly. As part of the interdisciplinary research, the nature of conventional construction is being fundamentally reconsidered and supplemented by creative solutions to make future buildings more sustainable, resource- as well as energy efficient and at the same time durable, ultimately recycling or reusing building components or ideally the entire building enabling and prioritizing circular economy in construction.

This holistic approach is intended to successfully integrate the research expertise regarding construction materials, traditional construction types, climatic effects of ground and hydraulic engineering, infrastructure and building technology using innovative tools such as digitalisation and automation as the basis for future design and subsequent realisation.

The four areas of design, construction and production, operation, use and maintenance, and repair, reconstruction and/ or recycling (see illustration) are covered by the members in their respective fields across all areas:

This spectrum of necessary and thoroughly reflected specializations within the construction value chain enables the formation of collaborative research with holistic perspectives and thus innovative approaches towards solutions with a high realisation potential. The working method is characterized by a close cooperation between researchers with a practical orientation and early-career scientists. Collaboration at this level is already underway through the Bavarian Academic Forum (BayWISS) fostering a robust and active partnership. In 2018, the BayWISS Collaborative Academic Partnership “Infrastructure, Building and Urbanisation” was founded with HM as the host university. One of the two spokespeople is Prof. Dauberschmidt (HM). Prof. Neidhart (OTHR), a representative of the partner university, is also on the steering committee.

Professorial members of the PZIB Doctoral Research Center
The PZIB comprises a total of 16 professorial members, 11 of whom are based at HM, along with 5 at OTHR. The professors provide a comprehensive coverage of the aforementioned field by focusing on steel construction, welding technology, concrete and binder technology, building materials science, building physics, deep foundations, bridge and civil engineering structures, building within existing structures, glass and facade construction, adhesive bonding technology, energy systems, automation in construction, digitalisation, and smart cities. With "Integral Building", they are focused on a key area that shapes the profile of HM and the association with OTHR.

The members demonstrate the required achievements in applied research. Together, they have acquired third-party funding totalling approx. 13.5 million euros and have released 230 publications within the survey years. In addition, all members are represented in key national and international committees, some in management positions, while others are directly involved in the practical implementation and transfer of the respective research findings through the expert networks they have developed over many years. In addition, many professors are active as reviewers in publication organs, conference organisations, or research proposals.

Enrolling in a Doctoral Programme at the PZIB Doctoral Research Center
At the Doctoral Research Center of the cooperating universities, HM and OTHR, graduates from civil engineering, energy or building technology, building climatology, computational engineering, and related subjects can do a doctorate and obtain the Dr.-Ing. academic degree. The PZIB is the first and currently the only doctoral centre at a Bavarian university of applied sciences to have been granted the right to award doctorates in these fields.

At the PZIB Doctoral Research Center, doctoral candidates are supervised by professors from both universities who are strong in research and can take advantage of the wide range of disciplines and numerous support as well as networking structures at both universities. The Doctoral Research Center offers a specialist doctoral programme in consultation with the doctoral candidates. The cooperating universities also offer a general doctoral programme.

You can do your doctorate at the Doctoral Research Center of Integrated Buildings with employment at one of the cooperating universities or with external employment in science and industry. If your doctoral project does not fall within the range of topics covered by the Doctoral Research Center, there is still the option of a cooperative doctorate at one of the cooperating universities of applied sciences with a traditional university. Further information can be found here (prospective doctorate candidates).

Contact: Andre Strotmann