Research Fellow

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Shaping the Breeze is a Cities of Tomorrow R&D project developing Singapore’s first validated, performance-based natural ventilation (NV) design framework. The project combines IoT field measurement, CFD simulation, machine learning, and occupant behaviour research to produce design guidelines and a decision-support tool aligned with BCA Green Mark. Industry partners include BSD Pte Ltd, Frasers Property Singapore, and GreenZero Solutions.

ROLE OVERVIEW

This is a senior research position with dual responsibility: providing technical leadership across CFD and machine learning workstreams, and leading day-to-day coordination of a two-person RA team. The Research Fellow is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, take ownership of research quality, and serve as the primary point of continuity between the PI team and project execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership

• Provide overall methodological guidance for CFD simulation workflows across residential, commercial, and educational building typologies, including turbulence model selection, mesh independence testing, boundary condition setup, and post-processing
• Lead the development and validation of surrogate and machine learning models trained on CFD outputs, ensuring predictions meet project accuracy targets (within ±15% of full CFD)
• Oversee integration of field measurement data with simulation models for calibration and cross-validation
• Ensure methodological consistency and rigour across all simulation cases, sensitivity analyses, and parametric runs
• Guide the translation of modelling outputs into performance-based NV design guidelines and the decision-support tool

Team Leadership

• Directly supervise and coordinate two Research Assistants (RA1: simulation and modelling; RA2: field measurement and stakeholder engagement), providing day-to-day technical guidance and task prioritisation
• Conduct regular check-ins with RAs to track progress, resolve technical blockers, and maintain momentum across workstreams
• Review and quality-assure RA outputs — including simulation files, field datasets, and draft reports — before submission to the PI team

PI Engagement & Project Delivery

• Maintain consistent and structured communication with the Lead PI and Co-PIs on project status, emerging findings, risks, and timeline adherence
• Flag deviations from the project plan early and propose corrective actions
• Take ownership of milestone tracking and preparation of progress reports, technical deliverables, and journal manuscripts
• Represent the research team in stakeholder meetings with BCA, REDAS, and industry partners where required

REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Building Science, Environmental Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated experience with CFD simulation (ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or equivalent), including turbulence modelling and parametric study design
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data analysis, machine learning model development, and surrogate modelling
• Track record of peer-reviewed publication in building performance, environmental engineering, or a related field
• Prior experience supervising or mentoring junior researchers or students
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with ability to coordinate across technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience in tropical building performance, natural ventilation, or field measurement is a strong advantage

HOW TO APPLY

Send your CV, a brief statement of interest (max 1 page), and one representative publication to [email protected] with the subject line “Research Fellow Application – [Your Name]”.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.