Research Assistant (Urban Microclimate Modeling and Graph Neural Networks)

Job Title: Research Assistant (Urban Microclimate Modeling and Graph Neural Networks)

University-Level Unit: College of Design and Engineering

Faculty/Department-Level Unit: The Built Environment

Employee Category: Research Staff

Location_ONB: Kent Ridge Campus

Posting Start Date: 30/06/2026

Job Description

To support the UrbanHeatMap project, which aims to develop scalable, high-resolution ambient temperature mapping methods by integrating outdoor microclimate measurements, mobile sensing data, satellite-derived land surface temperature, and urban morphology information. The Research Assistant will work closely with Research Fellows and the Principal Investigator in generating high-quality field validation datasets and supporting data-driven urban heat research across selected test-bed sites in Singapore. This role is suitable for candidates interested in urban climate, environmental sensing, outdoor thermal comfort, and data-driven approaches to urban heat mitigation.

Urban Microclimate Measurement And Field Campaigns

• Contribute to the planning and execution of outdoor microclimate measurement campaigns across selected HDB precincts and test-bed sites, including NUS campus and SIT Punggol Digital District.
• Support the development and implementation of field measurement protocols to ensure data consistency, repeatability, and scientific validity across different sites and measurement periods.
• Ensure that field measurements are properly synchronised with project requirements, including model validation, sensor comparison, and site-level urban heat assessment.
  
  

Microclimate Data Processing And Quality Assurance

• Process and organise datasets collected from stationary, mobile weather stations, drone-related measurements, and other field sensing platforms.
• Conduct data quality assurance and quality control.
• Prepare clean, georeferenced, and well-documented datasets for modelling, validation, and analysis by linking sensor measurements with GPS coordinates, site information, and urban morphology attributes.
• Support analysis and visualisation of microclimate patterns, including temporal trends, spatial variation, site comparisons, and summary statistics.
  
  

Research Analysis And Project Deliverables

• Support the interpretation of field measurement results in relation to urban heat island effects, outdoor thermal comfort, and local urban morphology.
• Assist in preparing figures, tables, maps, technical summaries, and presentation materials for project meetings, reports, and stakeholder updates.
• Contribute to literature reviews and technical documentation related to urban microclimate measurement, environmental sensing, outdoor thermal comfort, and urban heat mitigation.
• Contribute to the preparation of research outputs, technical reports, and academic publications.
• Participate in project meetings and coordinate with internal and external collaborators.
  
  

Essential

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Urban Building Science, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Urban Studies, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with strong quantitative and computational components.
• Experience or strong interest in working with environmental, spatial, or time-series datasets.
• Familiarity with urban microclimate dynamics, urban heat island (UHI) effects, and thermal comfort indices (e.g., PET); experience with microclimate simulation tools (e.g., ENVI-met) is advantageous but not required.
• Data processing skills using Python, R, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail in data management, field documentation, and research workflow.
• Willingness to conduct outdoor fieldwork in Singapore as part of microclimate measurement campaigns.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
  
  

Desirable

• Experience with environmental sensors, weather stations, thermal comfort instruments, GPS devices, mobile sensing platforms, or other field measurement equipment.
• Experience with microclimate data, meteorological data, spatial data, time-series data, or sensor data quality control.
• Familiarity with GIS tools such as QGIS or ArcGIS would be advantageous.
• Basic Python or R programming experience for data cleaning, visualisation, and quality control would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with urban morphology indicators such as sky view factor, greenery, building density, land use, surface materials, or urban canyon geometry would be advantageous.
• Prior experience in environmental monitoring, outdoor field measurement campaigns, urban climate research, or thermal comfort studies would be advantageous.
  
  

Req ID: 33562