Scientist Urban Microclimate and Sustainable Cooling in Arid Regions

The Qatar Environment & 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.

The ideal candidate must possess a strong foundation in heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics, with a demonstrated ability to translate thermal science into practical energy efficient solutions that support climate adaptation, environmental sustainability goals and human wellbeing.

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&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&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.