Postdoc Researcher: Climate Resilience in High-Density Cities in Zürich

100%, Singapore, fixed-term

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities with a strong focus on science and engineering. In 2010 we established the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to do interdisciplinary research on pressing problems. In collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), SEC is undertaking a research programme on "Future Resilient Systems". One goal of this programme is to address the challenges with high-density urban systems in the time of climate change, which is of particular importance to economies like Singapore and Switzerland. Within this framework we are announcing the following position opening.

The position is devoted to the study of urban climate at district and building scales. The project focuses on the main challenges of future city resilience, for instance, heat waves, urban heat island, local hot spots, thermal discomfort, energy demand in extreme climates, etc. Physical and numerical modelling will be adopted to develop, validate and refine computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Underpinned by understandings of wind and buoyancy flow processes, mitigation measures will be proposed for high-density urban systems at both district and building scales.

Please note that the employment will be at the Singapore-ETH Centre and local working regulations will apply. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to spend time vibrantly, at both ETH Zurich and Singapore-ETH Centre to carry out experimental and numerical studies. Water tunnel measurements will be conducted in the ETH water tunnel in Zurich. The position will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Jan Carmeliet, Chair of Building Physics at ETH Zurich. The earliest starting date is July 1st, 2021.

The successful applicant should hold a PhD and have research expertise in mechanical, civil or environmental engineering or equivalent. The applicant is expected to have research experience in wind tunnel and/or water tunnel measurements, laser diagnostics (e.g. PIV, LIF) and CFD modelling (e.g. OpenFOAM). Demonstrated dissemination of the candidate's work in the form of publications is also expected. Candidates should speak and write English proficiently, and above all, candidates should be enthusiastic about learning new research methods.

We expect the successful candidate having good interpersonal skills, the ability to thrive in a diverse, multidisciplinary environment, and the ability to present work at international conferences.

The Singapore-ETH Centre provides a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment to researchers working on diverse themes focussed on sustainable and liveable cities, resilient urban systems, and patient-centric healthcare. The centre is home to a community of over 100 doctoral, postdoctoral and professorial researchers working in three main programmes: Future Cities Laboratory, Future Resilient Systems, and Future Health Technologies.