Motivation: The air temperatures are higher in urban areas compared to rural areas due to the urban heat island effect (UHI). UHI mitigation measures are needed to improve the urban microclimate. Heat can effectively be removed from urban areas by wind.

Aim: The primary objective of this project is to get insights in the complex flow structures in urban areas and in their impact on the local microclimate. We particularly aim at enhancing our understanding of the influence of buoyancy on urban flows by analyzing both forced and mixed convective flows. In this project flow structures and heat flows in urban areas will be studied by means of wind and water tunnel measurements to determine and improve the heat removal potential of urban areas and to propose mitigation strategies.

Wind and Water Tunnels: The Chair of Building Physics has a fluid tunnel facility consisting of large atmospheric boundary layer wind and water tunnels. Both tunnels are equipped with a time-resolved stereoscopic particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) system. In the water tunnel temperatures and tracer concentrations can be measured with laser induced fluorescence (LIF).

The planned project duration is three years.

Interested candidates should meet following requirements to be eligible for the present PhD position:

• A Master in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, Physics or equivalent.
• A strong background in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
• Interest in wind or water tunnel measurements (PIV, CTA, and LIF).
• The candidate should be proficient in English.

This position involves a joint affiliation at ETH Zurich and Empa Dübendorf, under the supervision of Dr. Jonas Allegrini and Prof. Jan Carmeliet. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Dr. Jonas Allegrini. allegrini<στο>arch.ethz.ch

We look forward to receiving your application online at www.jobs.ethz.ch (or “Apply now” below) with attention to: ETH Zurich, Mr. Matthias Steiger, Human Resources, CH-8092 Zürich. Please submit your application including:

• a cover letter stating your motivation for this position
• a comprehensive CV including publications and presentations
• diplomas and a list of courses attended
• names and addresses of references

Please upload all documents (PDF is recommended) through the website.

Any other way of applying will not be considered.