Research Fellow - Sustainable Indoor Farming (Mechanical Engineering)

About the role

The Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), established in 2010, is a pan-university research institute focused on systems-level research for tropical megacities, covering the energy value chain from generation to end-use solutions. You will join the Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) team, which works on building energy modelling, decarbonization strategies and green building technologies such as HVAC systems and thermal energy storage. This position recruits a researcher to work on a project on sustainable indoor farming.

Key responsibilities

• Support SBE projects through R&D, technology evaluation, project coordination and stakeholder interfacing
• Act as subject matter expert for ongoing projects, such as CFD or energy modelling, and coordinate with project partners, industry and external stakeholders
• Contribute to research proposals on sustainable urban solutions, green buildings, low-carbon district solutions and agritech applications, and lead their preparation and submission
• Carry out research and analysis on embodied carbon for buildings, urban farming and other applications
• Lead technical analysis of green building technologies, decarbonization strategies and smart building systems using AI/ML and energy analytics
• Engage internal and external stakeholders, including funding agencies, collaborators and industry partners, and deliver presentations and guide workshops
• Author technical publications for completed or ongoing projects and take part in project discussions

Required profile

• PhD in engineering (e.g. mechanical, clean/renewable energy or building-related) or sustainable building design
• Experience in sustainable design/analysis for the built environment, Green Mark or LEED projects, and M&E construction and development (minimum 2 years preferred)
• Hands-on approach, good written and verbal communication, able to manage multiple stakeholders and work under tight deadlines
• Able to work independently and in a team

Required skills

• Proficiency in MS Office, CFD software, BIM software and energy modelling software
• Familiarity with green building technology, HVAC study and optimization, building energy modelling, CFD, BIM and embodied carbon/lifecycle assessment preferred
• Knowledge of EN 15978 or similar carbon assessment standards, and experience with sustainability standards and green building accreditations, is advantageous