Doctoral Research Center of Integrated Buildings (PZIB)

The Doctoral Research Center of Integrated Buildings (PZIB) reflects one of the key research areas at HM, Ohm and OTHR. Against the backdrop of the major challenges posed by climate change, limited resources and technological and societal transformation, the members of the PZIB are convinced that strategies, standards, planning principles and processes in the construction sector must be reviewed, redesigned and adapted. As part of this interdisciplinary research, the nature of conventional construction is being fundamentally re-examined and supplemented with creative solutions, with the aim of constructing the buildings of the future in a more sustainable and resource-efficient manner, operating them in a more energy-efficient and durable way, and ultimately integrating them into the circular economy through recycling or reuse.

This holistic approach aims to successfully bring together expertise in materials and structural engineering, traditional construction methods such as concrete, steel and façade construction, the climatic effects encountered in the fields of civil and hydraulic engineering, infrastructure and building services engineering, utilising innovative tools such as digitalisation and automation as the basis for future planning and execution.

The four areas – planning and design, construction and production, operation and use, maintenance and recycling (see figure; in German) – are covered by the members across their respective fields:

This broad spectrum of subject areas enables the development of joint research priorities with diverse and holistic perspectives, and thus innovative solutions with a high potential for implementation. The approach is characterised by close collaboration between practically-oriented researchers and highly motivated early career researchers. At this level, there is already intensive collaboration through the Bavarian Science Forum (BayWISS). In 2018, the BayWISS Collaborative Research Centre for Infrastructure, Construction and Urbanisation was founded, with HM University as its host university. One of the two spokespersons is Prof. Dauberschmidt (HM), and the steering committee also includes a representative from the partner university, Prof. Neidhart (OTHR). 

Academic staff members of the PZIB Doctoral Research Center

The PZIB comprises a total of 21 academic members, of whom 11 professors are based at the HM, 4 at Ohm University and 7 at OTH Regensburg. The professors comprehensively cover the field described above by specialising in steel construction and welding technology, concrete and binder technology, building materials science and building physics, deep foundations, bridges and civil engineering structures, renovation of existing buildings, glass and façade construction, adhesive bonding, energy systems, automation in the construction industry, digitalisation in the building trades and smart cities. Through ‘Integrated Design and Construction’, they are, as it were, focused on a key area that defines the profile of the HM and its partnership with OTHR.

The members have demonstrated the required outstanding achievements in applied research. Collectively, they have secured external funding totalling approximately 13.5 million euros and produced 230 publications during the survey years covering the year in which the application was submitted. Furthermore, all members are represented on key national and international committees and standards bodies – in some cases in leadership roles – and, through long-established networks of experts, are directly involved in the practical implementation and transfers of the respective research findings. In addition, many professors serve as reviewers for academic journals, conference organisers or research grant applications.

Pursuing a PhD at the PZIB Doctoral Research Center

As the inter-university Doctoral Research Center (PZIB) of the cooperating universities HM, Ohm and OTHR, graduates in civil engineering, energy or building services engineering, building climate control, computational engineering and related subjects can, for example, pursue a doctorate and be awarded the academic degree of Dr.-Ing. The PZIB is the first and currently the only Doctoral Research Center at Bavarian Universities 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 research-active Professors from both universities and can benefit from the academic breadth and numerous support and networking structures offered by the universities. The Doctoral Research Center offers a subject-specific accompanying doctoral programme, in consultation with the doctoral candidates. In addition, the partner universities offer a general accompanying doctoral programme.

At the Doctoral Research Center, you can pursue a doctorate whilst employed at one of the partner universities or in an external role in academia or industry. If your doctoral project does not fall within the range of topics covered by the Doctoral Research Center, you still have the option, as before, of undertaking a cooperative doctorate at one of the partner universities. Further information can be found under ‘Prospective doctoral candidates’.