Job Title: Research Fellow (Department of the Built Environment)
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: 18/05/2026
Job Description
- Conduct Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to study Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects associated with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
- Review the literature on urban microclimate modelling, UHI mitigation strategies, and building physics.
- Perform parametric studies under different scenarios and evaluate the thermal impact of UHI mitigation strategies, including greenery, cool paint, radiative cooling films, and different PV module technologies.
- Develop and execute large-scale CFD models for real-world urban case studies, incorporating complex geometries such as buildings and vegetation.
- Collaborate closely with project team members and industry partners to integrate material properties, module specifications, and empirical measurements into simulation workflows.
- Translate simulation outputs into practical insights and guidelines.
- Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and internal research reporting.
- Maintain organised research workflows (version control, reproducible experiments, 3D model management, documentation).
- Support broader project goals as needed (e.g., dataset curation, method benchmarking, cross-validation of simulations with actual measurements)
Job Requirements
- Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Building Science, Environmental Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, or a related discipline (completed or expected within 2–3 months).
- Demonstrated expertise in using OpenFOAM for CFD modelling and simulation.
- Strong foundational knowledge of thermodynamics, airflow dynamics, and Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects.
- Familiarity with 3D CAD modelling software for creating both idealised and complex real-world urban geometries.
- Strong programming/scripting skills for parametric modelling, data extraction, and simulation analysis.
- Good publication record in relevant peer-reviewed journals.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Highly organised, proactive, and able to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
- Proficient command of spoken and written English.
- Experience modelling urban airflow, solar/PV systems, and/or urban greenery is a plus.
