The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a non-profit research and educational institution with a strong scientific and technological orientation, emphasizing international collaborations and cross-disciplinary research and post graduate education. CyI, through its established research centers, addresses challenging issues that are important at both the regional and international levels. Many of its research activities are being carried out in partnership with leading institutions in the respective thematic areas. The research agenda of the CyI are pursued at its four Research Centers: the Energy Environment Water Research Center (EEWRC), the Climate and Atmospheric Research Center (CARE-C), the Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center (CaSToRC), and the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC). Considerable cross-center interaction is a characteristic of the Institute’s culture.

Position description

EEWRC invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to carry out research as a member of the Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) Group within the European Horizon 2020 Project COLLECTiEF. 

The role of the Research Associate will be to conduct research on occupant-centric monitoring and control of grid-interactive buildings and human-building interfaces, and contribute in securing competitive funding related to the activities of the SBE Group.

The objective of this research is to investigate the use of data-driven modelling of building components and HVAC systems, to be used in model-based predictive control to achieve energy efficient, flexible and comfortable buildings.

Key research domains are: building physics, building performance simulation, model-based predictive control (MPC), occupant behaviour modelling, and indoor environmental quality.

The selected candidate will contribute to the research objectives of the SBE Group of EEWRC, within the framework of the European Horizon 2020 Project COLLECTiEF “Collective intelligence for Energy Flexibility”.  They are expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Modelling and simulation of complex dynamic HVAC systems and their controls, also considering occupant behaviour;
• Development of building control strategies for enabling thermal flexibility;
• Experimental design and monitoring of technical building systems and components;
• Development of the concept of a user-friendly human-building interface
• Use of analysis and post-processing tools to investigate building model output and monitoring data.
• Development of suitable measurement and monitoring protocols for post-occupancy evaluation (POE).

The position will be on a full-time basis for a fixed term of 4 years, renewable depending on performance and availability of funds. The successful candidate will be under the supervision of the Leader of the SBE Group, prof. Salvatore Carlucci (s.carlucci@cyi.ac.cy).

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Contribute in the development of innovative occupant-centric and model-based predictive control of grid-interactive energy efficient buildings
2. Contribute in the writing up of scientific publications
3. Contribute in the writing up of research proposals
4. Co-supervise research projects/students

Qualifications:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Building Science, Computer Science, or related fields;
• Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals or conference proceedings;
• Presentations in scientific conferences;
• Three years of relevant experience (including PhD research) ;
• Modelling and simulation of complex dynamic systems and their control;
• Programming in Python, R, MATLAB or similar;
• Knowledge of software tools for building performance simulation;
• Knowledge of experimental design and monitoring of buildings;
• Understanding of physical and mathematical concepts;
• Real-time data management including data transmission between platforms and coding for API requests is highly appreciated;
• Knowledge of LabVIEW is highly appreciated;
• Prior research or professional experience with technical building services is an advantage;
• Ability to work within a team;
• Fluency in English (verbal and writing);
• Willingness to travel and spend time in Partner organizations;
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to adopt to a multicultural/multinational environment.

Application

For full consideration, interested applicants should process their application at The Cyprus Institute Exelsys Platform based on the instructions given. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae including a letter of interest, and a list of 3 (three) referees, including their contact information. All documentation should be in English and in PDF format. For further information, please contact Prof Salvatore Carlucci (s.carlucci@cyi.ac.cy). Please note that applications which do not follow the announcement’s guidelines will not be considered.

Recruitment will continue until the position is filled.

Contact Person: Salvatore Carlucci  

References: 3

Reference Number:  EEWRC_PDF_21_03

Closing date: 10/12/21