Institution

The Universidad de Navarra (UNAV) is a non-profit private university founded in 1952 based in Pamplona, Spain. It confers 56 official degrees and administers more than 90 postgraduate programs (including 20 doctoral programs and 42 master’s programs) through 10 schools, two superior colleges, the IESE Business School and its 5 comprehensive Research Centres: CCUN (Cancer Centre Clínica Universidad de Navarra), BIOMA (Biodiversity and Environment Institute) and DATAI (Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence), ICS (INSTITUTE FOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY and CIN (Centre for Nutrition Research).

UNAV has more than 14.000 students in 5 campuses: Pamplona, San Sebastian, Madrid, Barcelona and New York with a wide network of international universities and research centres.

UNAV has a sound track record in participating in European Research Programs. The university has participated in 126 European projects from FP4 to Horizon Europe, including LIFE, ERASMUS+ and INTERREG Programs; of which 22 projects were coordinated by the university. The University also counts with a thorough experience in MSCA and ERC grants with over 26 signed grants.

UNAV been awarded with the HR Excellence in Research quality seal (HRS4R) that guarantees the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Hosting Group

SAVIArquitectura is a research group of the University of Navarra, coordinated by Ana Sanchez-Ostiz, whose objectives are research in the field of eco-design and quantification of sustainable architecture. Among its main lines of research are: Sustainable renovation buildings, neighborhoods and cities; Strategies for architectural mitigation and adaptation to Climate Change; Architecture and health and vulnerability; monitoring, simulation and digital twins; LCA; industrialized construction. In this field, SAVIArquitectura has participated and led research projects at European, national and local level. Several publications, articles in indexed journals and books are the result of its research. SAVIA collaborates with other national, European and international research groups.

Offer description

Europe's population continues to age, with 21.1% of its inhabitants now over the age of 65, according to Eurostat data. As life expectancies rise, so too does the prevalence of chronic illnesses and various dependencies. The average dependency ratio in Europe — which compares the proportion of younger and older populations to those of working age — stands at 56.5%. This demographic trend increasingly necessitates residential care in nursing homes for many elderly individuals.

However, the COVID-19 produced higher mortality in nursing home residents than in other types of buildings. The pandemic showed that the classic model of this type of building may not be valid for preventing the spread of respiratory diseases and pandemics such as those suffered.

Key questions now arise as to how nursing home design can evolve to better protect its residents. What architectural typologies will best prevent disease spread?; Which design and environmental factors could enhance the well-being of occupants and mitigate virus transmission?; What proactive measures should be implemented in both new and existing structures to minimize future contagion risks while also promoting well-being, maintaining air quality, and optimizing energy efficiency?; How can biophilic design be integrated to improve the health of users?, and how can new technologies and artificial intelligence offer potential improvements in the quality of life for nursing home residents?.

Our objective is to fundamentally improve the living conditions of the elderly through innovative and cutting-edge designs in nursing home architecture. This initiative presents a unique opportunity for you to contribute to shaping the future of elderly care. This is your chance!

Key words

Nursing homes typologies; architectural parameters; environmental parameters; prevention and spread illness in buildings; new technologies and artificial intelligence.

Research Field

Architecture and health.

SAVIA Reference projects:

• “New environmental and architectural parameters in the design of residences for elderly, for the prevention of the biopsychosocial impact of respiratory diseases (Influenza, Sars and Covid-19)”;
• SANITAS-UNAV Health and Environment Chair

REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANDIDATE

Main research field

Architecture and/or Engineer PhD

Specific requirements

Architecture and/or Engineer PhD. No more than 8 years as researcher since the date of PhD defence at date 2024 September 11.

The candidate must not have lived or worked in Spain more than 12 months in the last 36 months calculating from 2024 September 11.

Language

English. Excellent level

Required research Experience

Yes

Documents to provide

• CV
• letter of motivation with ideas and suggestions on the topic (max. 2 pages)