Scientist Urban Microclimate and Sustainable Cooling in Arid Regions

Hamad Bin Khalifa University; Qatar; On-site; QAR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamad Bin Khalifa University seeks a Research Scientist to join the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI). You will contribute to urgent environmental challenges, focusing on urban microclimate research and sustainable cooling solutions in arid regions.

Ideal candidates will possess a Ph.D. in a relevant field and 3+ years of experience in thermal management systems, particularly under extreme climatic conditions. Join us in advancing climate resilience and sustainability in Qatar.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required, with a focus on Mechanical or Environmental Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant research or industry experience.
• Strong proficiency in CFD modeling and simulation tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced numerical simulations related to cooling systems.
• Conduct CFD simulations for buildings and urban areas.
• Collaborate with partners to support Qatar's sustainable development goals.

Skills

Thermal management systems

CFD modelling

Energy-efficient cooling

Urban microclimate modelling

Smart sensing integration

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

OpenFOAM

COMSOL

EnergyPlus

Job description

Overview

The Qatar Environment amp Energy Research Institute QEERI is seeking a highly motivated and impact-driven Research Scientist to join our multidisciplinary team at the Environment Centre. The successful candidate will contribute to tackling critical environmental challenges related to urban microclimate research and sustainable cooling in arid regions addressing heat mitigation energy efficiency and indoor and urban environmental quality. The research areas to interest include but are not limited to urban microclimate studies; HVAC optimisation and integration of smart sensing; passive and active cooling systems; thermal energy storage; and climate-resilient and sustainable cooling solutions. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about advancing research related to climate resilience sustainability and environmental health in the built environment in arid regions. Successful candidate s will lead and support research aligned with QEERI s strategy and the Environment Centre mandate to deliver human-centric sustainable solutions to protect public health and enhance resilience and wellbeing of people in urban and built environments in Qatar and arid regions.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced numerical simulations CFD FEM and empirical research on cooling systems thermal comfort urban heat island and heat mitigation strategies relevant to Qatar s built environment and urban infrastructure
• Develop and validate simulation models for building-scale and urban microclimate thermal behavior integrating local climate data and region-specific performance metrics
• Advance understanding of building and landscape materials for thermal performance, model and simulate thermal flows comfort indices and urban heat dynamics using energy and climate analysis tools
• Conduct CFD simulations and apply thermal management principles to evaluate and optimize energy use airflow patterns and temperature control within buildings and selected urban areas
• Lead and contribute to research on sustainable indoor and outdoor cooling solutions including passive active and hybrid approaches
• Develop, conduct and lead strategic R amp D focusing on sustainable cooling technologies and microclimate regulation addressing energy efficiency and indoor and urban environmental quality
• Design and develop prototypes for cooling technologies optimised for hot and arid climates including energy-efficient HVAC cooling systems arid region adapted thermal management integrating passive and active technologies material science HVAC innovation and climate-responsive technologies
• Align all designs with green building standards LEED BREEAM WELL EDGE and local climate codes
• Design and execute laboratory and field-scale experiments to evaluate and validate cooling performance energy efficiency and thermal comfort
• Contribute to the development of testbeds and pilot systems for next-generation cooling technologies focused on resilience indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency
• Design and operate thermal testing facilities tailored for high ambient temperature and extreme variation in humidity conditions
• Contribute to the development of pilot projects including cooling testbeds green infrastructure and outdoor thermal comfort solutions
• Collaborate with government academia and industry partners to support Qatar National Vision 2030 goals related to sustainable development resource efficiency and resilient infrastructure
• Identify innovation opportunities and contribute to R amp D roadmaps support IP development through patents high-impact journal publications and attraction of competitive funding
• Mentor interns and junior researchers contribute to capacity building efforts and support the preparation of competitive research proposals

Qualifications & Experience

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Building Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 3 years (post Ph.D.) of relevant research or industry experience.
• Proven experience in thermal management systems, with an emphasis on energy-efficient cooling under extreme climatic conditions.
• Experience in the integration, control and application of smart sensing methods with cooling technologies to deliver human centric solutions.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced thermal management systems, including air/liquid cooling, heat exchangers, TIMs and PCM, heat pipes, and high-power electronics.
• Strong proficiency in CFD modelling and simulation tools applied to thermal management and built environment performance assessment (e.g., ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, COMSOL, EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder).
• Experience in climate-sensitive infrastructure or cooling technologies projects in arid environments.
• Familiarity with control systems, automation, microelectronics, telecommunications, and HVAC systems.
• Research experience related to arid and extreme climate regions.
• Experience with urban-scale microclimate modelling tools such as PALM or equivalent.
• Experience in securing research funding and managing projects.
• Expertise in passive cooling, evaporative cooling, solar-assisted systems, phase-change materials, heat recovery systems and desiccant-based cooling technologies.
• Familiarity with urban microclimate modeling, green infrastructure, and climate-sensitive urban design.
• Previous engagement with IP development and delivery and/or science into policy development.
• Experience in thermal energy storage and urban heat island mitigation in desert urban contexts.
• Industrial or hands-on research experience in a dynamic environment is a plus.