Baubiologe/Baubiologin

Key publications and resources in this field include 'Ausbildungs- und Fachkräftereport der Bauwirtschaft' (Training and Skilled Workers Report for the Construction Industry), 'baubiologie magazin' (building biology magazine), 'bauen aktuell' (current construction), 'Baunetz Wissen' (building network knowledge), 'bauprofessor.de', 'Bericht zur Lage und Perspektive der Bauwirtschaft 2025' (Report on the Situation and Outlook of the Construction Industry 2025), 'buildingSMART', 'Constructing Our Future. Planen. Bauen. Leben. Arbeiten.' (Constructing Our Future. Planning. Building. Living. Working.), 'Fraunhofer-Informationszentrum Raum und Bau IRB' (Fraunhofer Information Centre for Space and Construction IRB), 'Klimaangepasste Gebäude und Liegenschaften' (Climate-Adapted Buildings and Properties), 'Kompetenznetzwerk Bau und Energie e.V.' (Competence Network for Construction and Energy e.V.), and 'Offensive Gutes Bauen' (Initiative for Good Construction).

Building biologists usually work in buildings and on construction sites, in offices, and in laboratories. They may also work from a home office or remotely if necessary.

Core competencies generally required in this profession include: Building biology, building materials science and technology, building material testing, research, laboratory work and laboratory techniques, ecological building, and environmental analysis. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession are: Building chemistry, ground investigation, building physics, building renovation, construction and architectural law, concrete technology, preparing specialist publications, expert and appraisal activities, calculation, customer consulting and support, teaching (university), microbiology, sustainable building materials, sustainable insulation materials, project management, quality management, environmental product declaration for construction products, environmental law, and lecturing.

Building biologists apply special analysis and measurement procedures to detect residential or environmental toxins. Mobility and flexibility are required to investigate buildings for pollutant loads. Responsibly, they comply with safety and environmental regulations and take appropriate safety precautions in their work. When preparing expert reports or presenting and explaining the results of their analyses to clients or homeowners, they must be able to explain building biology facts clearly. In their field of work, building biologists usually work independently and on their own responsibility, but they consult with colleagues and other experts on complex or serious structural pollutant problems. In the office, they prepare expert reports on the computer and research new trends and research findings. On-site in buildings or on construction sites, they conduct measurements. During inspections...

Building biologists can start their own business, for example, by offering services in building biology investigations of living and working spaces.

Example gross basic collective agreement salary (monthly): €3,385 to €4,739. Source: Collective agreement collection of the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labour and Social Affairs. Note: This information is for orientation purposes. No claims can be derived from it.

Baubiologists work in various sectors including architecture, construction planning, interior design, engineering services, technical, physical, and chemical examination (e.g., baubiology consulting offices), high-rise building, concrete and reinforced concrete construction, other specialized construction activities (e.g., ground investigation), public administration (e.g., building authorities), real estate, building management (developers for residential and other buildings), and civil engineering, road construction, and hydraulic engineering.

Employers often expect a relevant Studium (university degree).

Access to this profession can be gained through a Studium (university degree) in fields such as architecture (undergraduate and postgraduate), civil engineering (undergraduate and postgraduate), building physics (undergraduate and postgraduate), and environmental science (undergraduate and postgraduate).

Baubiologists find employment in architectural, engineering, and planning offices, environmental offices, construction companies, public building administration, and in real estate and building management.

Baubiologists identify sources of pollutants in buildings and advise construction managers on healthy building and living practices.

Job and applicant exchanges include Bau.de, bauen aktuell, bauingenieur24.de, Baujobs.ch, BauNetz, bau-stellen.de, Bauverlag BV GmbH, Competitionline.com, Die Möglichmacher - Facility Management (GEFMA German Facility Management Association), Fish4Jobs | Construction, Le Moniteur Emploi, SciTechCareer, and Stellenmarkt-Umweltschutz.de.

BG BAU - German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Building Trade, Federal Association of German Experts and Appraisers (BDSF), Federal Association for Energy-Efficient Building Envelopes (BuVEG) e.V., German Sustainable Building Council - DGNB e.V., German Association of Experts and Appraisers (DGSV) e.V., DVP German Association of Project Managers in the Construction and Real Estate Industry e.V., IBN Institute for Building Biology + Sustainability (IBN), Industrial Union for Building-Agriculture-Environment (IG BAU), Association for Building Biology e.V. VB.

Adherence to various regulations and legal requirements (e.g., environmental or building law) is essential. Customer contact (e.g., advising homeowners and builders on how to construct, renovate, and furnish their houses and apartments without health risks) is frequent. Tasks and work situations change frequently (adapting to altered working conditions when changing locations). Screen work (e.g., preparing expert reports) is common. Protective clothing and equipment (e.g., respiratory protection and gloves) are worn. Work takes place on construction sites, in offices, and in laboratories (e.g., conducting chemical and biological analyses). There is a risk of accidents (e.g., due to hazardous fumes).

Objects of investigation include residential and commercial buildings, samples from masonry, plaster, floor, wall, and ceiling coverings. Laboratory and measuring devices include pipettes, test tubes, multi-well plates, measuring cylinders, flasks, centrifuges, Bunsen burners, microscopes, spectroscopes, mass spectrometers, gas chromatographs, and precision scales. Documents include technical regulations for hazardous substances, recognized rules and standards of building technology, building biology textbooks and journals, legal regulations, and natural science databases. Office equipment includes PCs, internet access, telephones, laptops, and video conferencing tools.

Building biologists investigate buildings for pollutant loads and determine whether dangers arise from residential and environmental toxins as well as other environmental influences. They identify burdens such as mold or indoor allergens. Based on the results, they prepare expert reports and develop solution strategies. They also supervise complete new construction, renovation, or refurbishment projects.

Adaptive professional development helps to keep professional knowledge current and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in the areas of building renovation, building biology, construction project management, or building appraisal).

Further professional and career opportunities open up through advanced Studium (university studies) (e.g., in building physics). A Promotion (doctorate) is generally required for a scientific career at a university; for appointment as a university professor, a Habilitation (post-doctoral qualification) is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, in research, and in public administration.

Baubiologists analyze buildings for possible damage such as mold infestation or environmentally harmful building materials. They conduct physical measurements in buildings to determine temperature, humidity, or electromagnetic fields, take samples from masonry and surfaces, and examine them in the laboratory. They document investigation results and prepare expert reports. For new constructions or renovations, they develop proposals to ensure a healthy living environment. They inform construction companies about environmentally friendly building materials and construction methods. They plan and supervise construction projects from a baubiological perspective. They develop proposals for the remediation of apartments, buildings, or properties contaminated with pollutants. They organize information and consultation events for private and public construction projects, as well as for homeowners.