26 Mar Postdoctoral Research Position on Sustainable Building Performance (water and energy)
The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and the Center for Sustainable Urban Development/CEDEUS is seeking applications for a postdoctoral researcher with a background on sustainable building design, environmental modeling, green infrastructure or alike. The position is in Santiago, Chile.
One of CEDEUS main research objectives is to identify specific actions and their corresponding scales of application within the built environment domain, oriented to improve efficiencies in the use and production of the different critical resources needed by the city, particularly water and energy. These actions include both technological solutions as well as management strategies and are aimed to contribute to the development of livable cities in which economic growth and social development are in balance with the environmental health.
The successful candidate is expected to perform research on the numerical modeling for the prediction of heat and mass transfer processes involved in the performance of technological solutions at local scales (i.e. from the building up to the neighborhood), as well as the scaling of impacts associated with these solutions across the temporal and spatial scales, up to the city. Water, soil and air quality issues related to the operation and performance of these technics will have to be incorporated, in order to obtain their integral assessments and facilitate the achievement of potential co-benefits when implemented in practical applications. Ongoing and soon-to-start projects are producing experimental data that should be used in the research to be undertaken.
The researcher will join a multidisciplinary team group that includes specialists in heat and mass transfer, civil and environmental engineering, geography, architecture and material sciences. This team is constantly addressing a variety of projects mainly related to the interaction between the built environment, society and the natural environment. Some of these projects include the study of green infrastructure for thermal, air quality and storm water control, modeling and laboratory measurements of solar and lighting transmission through complex fenestration systems, new technologies for clean production of energy and water at small scales, the use of residues as resources for new materials, among others. Moreover, a strong involvement with the rest of our research center, which encompasses a large number of disciplines involved in sustainable urban development, is expected and greatly desired.
The deadline for applications is April 25th.
This position is for one year, with subsequent annual appointments –to a maximum of three- subject to successful review and expected future confirmation of funding renewal. Required qualifications include a PhD at the time of appointment in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, architecture, sustainability sciences, or related fields, as well as strong quantitative and modeling skills, and proven research background. Skills in fieldwork and outdoor research facilities are highly desired. Proficiency in Spanish language is not required. The candidate is expected to prepare research proposals for funding, and publish its results in top quality journals. The gross income is around USD 3280/month (net income of ~ USD 2900/month).
Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV with a complete list of peer-reviewed publications, and three letters of recommendation. These antecedents or any other question regarding the position must be sent to Dr. Waldo Bustamante (wbustamante@uc.cl) and Dr. Jorge Gironás (jgironas@ing.puc.cl).