Radiance-based Job Opportunity: Research Position in Radiation and Thermal Modeling of Urban Spaces

Research Position in Radiation and Thermal Modeling of Urban Spaces

The University of Kaiserslautern-Landau’s Department of Built Environment is actively seeking a dedicated research candidate to join our team. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a multi-year research funded by a prestigious grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), focusing on the modeling and simulation of radiation in urban spaces. An adequate work environment will be provided within the daylighting simulation group.

Location: University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Kaiserslautern, Germany

Duration: min. 2 years, up to 5 years based on performance evaluation

Starting Date / Vacancy to be filled by: September 1, 2024 (no later starting date possible)

Key Responsibilities:

  • Conduct in-depth research on modeling and simulation of radiation in urban spaces.
  • Develop and test advanced simulation workflows using Radiance and EnergyPlus, focusing on both shortwave and longwave radiation.
  • Perform numerical analysis and experimental validation of radiation and thermal models.
  • Contribute to the development of a comprehensive material database for angular-dependent surface properties.
  • Collaborate with researchers from various organizations and participate in technical meetings and discussions.
  • Engage in scientific publications and enhance the department’s code repository.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Analyze and visualize simulation outcomes from the research and analysis of urban spaces.
  • Support the integration of radiation models with building simulation tools like EnergyPlus to assess energy consumption and thermal comfort.
  • Contribute to the development of new simulation techniques to precisely estimate radiation exchange in urban morphologies.

Essential Skill Set:

  • Proven experience with Radiance.
  • Proficiency in a high-level programming language, preferably Python.
  • Familiarity with Energy Modeling software, preferably EnergyPlus.
  • Strong background in radiation modeling and simulation, including knowledge of shortwave and longwave radiation.
  • Experience with 3D modeling tools such as Rhino3D or SketchUp.
  • Knowledge of the LBNL suite of software, including Window and Optics.
  • Strong technical writing skills in English.
  • Experience in experimental validation and data analysis.
  • Preferably experience with urban modelling, e.g., EnviMet or similar

Qualifications:

  • Extensive research experience in Architectural Engineering, Building Science, or a related field. Ph.D. desirable, but not requested.
  • For candidates without Ph.D., there is an opportunity to obtain a Ph.D. degree through successful research including a monographic publication.
  • A track record of academic and research publications.
  • Demonstrated experience in radiation and thermal modeling.

Application Materials Required:

  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • A list of publications.
  • A statement of interest reflecting on your previous experience.
  • Contact details for two or three professional references.

Contact:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sabine Hoffmann: [email protected]

More information:

About the University: https://rptu.de/

About the Research Group: https://bauing.rptu.de/en/gst/home

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/lab/Sabine-Hoffmann-Lab

About DFG: DFG, German Research Foundation - What is the DFG?

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