Research Associate (Geothermal Energy Modelling)

The Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) is a university-level research institute dedicated to advancing innovative energy solutions for sustainable cities, industrial decarbonisation, and resilient energy infrastructure. ERI@N bridges fundamental research and real-world deployment through close collaboration with industry and government agencies.

This position supports a research project focused on the integration of non-conventional geothermal energy (EGS/AGS) into data centre cooling systems in Singapore, including geothermal-assisted cooling architectures, absorption chilling, heat pumps, thermal energy storage, and system-level techno-economic and environmental assessment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review geothermal resource data and data centre cooling demand profiles relevant to Singapore.

• Develop and validate geothermal system models (EGS/AGS) and associated heat extraction performance.

• Model and assess geothermal-driven cooling configurations, including absorption chillers and geothermal-assisted heat pumps.

• Integrate thermal energy storage and low-water heat rejection strategies suitable for tropical, urban environments.

• Perform techno-economic, environmental (CO₂, water), and sensitivity analyses.

• Support system optimisation and development of decision frameworks for pilot-readiness.

• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and research outputs for ERI@N stakeholders and industry partners.

Job Requirements:

• Masters in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

• Experience in techno-economic analysis of energy systems, including CAPEX/OPEX estimation, levelised cost metrics, and sensitivity analysis.

• Ability to integrate multiple subsystems into system-level performance and optimisation frameworks.

• Proficiency in at least one scientific computing environment (e.g. Python, MATLAB, Modelica) experience with geothermal or reservoir modelling tools is an advantage.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.