DesCartes Program is looking for a Senior Research Fellow on Urban Atmosphere Science focused on thermal comfort and air quality for the efficient construction of real-time hybrid models and engagement with public stakeholders
DESCARTES PROGRAM
CNRS@CREATE Ltd., the first CNRS’ overseas subsidiary, acts as a program operator to build and conduct large transdisciplinary research programs. It is a trans-continental hub for research with unique opportunities for high-quality faculties, researchers & postgraduate/postdoctoral students. Located in Singapore, on the Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise (CREATE) its main purposes are: (i) To strengthen France and Singapore’s global position in the areas of research of the highest potential for present and future society; (ii) To create unique initiatives in transdisciplinary research of excellence and technology development which would not exist under normal circumstances or within a single country or institution; and (iii) To encourage direct industry participation in research projects to ensure efficient transformation of research results into innovative products.
Program DesCartes aims to develop disruptive hybrid AI to serve the smart city and enable optimized decision-making in complex situations for critical urban systems. Hybrid AI will help us support smart city critical infrastructures: (i) Smartly, with less data (knowledge / physics AI); (ii) Safely, certified and regulated (trustworthy AI); (iii) Carefully, in a human-centric way (human AI); and (iv) Responsibly, by empowering people (societal AI).
Read more about the DesCartes program here.
DESCRIPTION
Until now, forecasting the state of the urban atmosphere and its environmental problems (heat stress and air pollution) was based on physical models that required relevant computational resources to provide accurate predictions. With this approach, the estimation of near-real time atmospheric conditions was mostly impossible.
Therefore, parametric solutions obtained using advanced nonlinear regressions seem an essential tool to address the challenge of real-time estimation of the atmospheric conditions. However, classical regression techniques, even the most advanced ones, can lead to non-physical interpretation of the climate variables when trying to emulate CFD models and/or plume dispersion. These aspects are being major protagonists of the DesCartes project that CNRS@CREATE is leading, on smart modelling for decision-making in critical urban systems, in Singapore.
In the urban atmosphere, the accurate estimation of wind is always critical both for thermal comfort and air quality purposes. However, other variables (air temperature, radiative variables…) also need attention. DesCartes has already developed an implement in the Marina Bay area (Singapore) an approach to estimate in real-time the wind components by adding to the wind magnitude and direction, the fluctuations amplitude and frequency, and then computing the transient responses and their time statistics.
These numerical approaches can be enriched with real-time measurements developing the so-called hybrid modelling that may allow high spatial resolution of climate variables in the urban area providing accurate prediction in near real time.
The purpose of this senior research scientist would be to formally lead the development of parametric solutions for other climate variables (e.g. radiant temperature) and their integration in hybrid models to provide a holistic approach for the prediction of urban atmospheric of conditions (e.g. thermal stress). This position will require interaction with different Singapore stakeholders and engaging public agencies for their implementation and operational use of validated hybrid models.
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
- You must hold a PhD in physics or environmental science with a background in urban atmosphere and/or pollutant dispersion.
- Knowledge of the Singapore context (environment and stakeholders) is desirable.
- Knowledge of CFD modelling, atmospheric energy balance, radiative conditions in urban environments and/or air pollution dispersion is required
- Experience in meteorological networks and deployment of sensors
- You should be further experienced in programming languages, in particular Python.
- Basic knowledge of machine learning techniques for climate purposes is desirable
- A solid knowledge of written and spoken English is mandatory.
- We expect good interpersonal skills, the ability to thrive in a diverse, multidisciplinary environment, and the ability to interact with public and private partners as well as present work at international conferences.
FURTHER INFORMATION & CONTACT
Salary range: 10,000 to 16,000 SGD(depending on suitability and experience)
1 year position , renewable (depending on results)
Workplace address: CREATE Campus, CREATE Tower, 1 Create Way #08-01 Singapore 138602
Interested applicants please send your resume to:
Email : Francisco Chinesta [email protected]
Subject template for application by email:
DesCartes Program – WP-common – Position – Name of the offer
Applications consisting of
– A letter of motivation
– CV
– Copies of degrees and certificates
– Two (maximum) recommendation letters
