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SBS lab is in the procces of moving to Penn State University.ÌýWe have openings forÌýtwo fully funded Post-Doctors (job description isÌýhere)Ìýand four fully funded Ph.D. students (job description isÌýhere)ÌýFall 2022 at Penn State.

We are always looking for highly motivated individuals, who are interested in cutting-edge modeling and simulation technologies, as well as their applications in the optimal design and operation of smart, sustainable, and resilient buildings, communities and cities. Some of our research projects are

• ExploringÌýmulti-scale modeling technique forÌýfuture smart and connected citiesÌýusing the equation-based Modelica language and building upon our open sourceÌýSmart and Connected Community (SCC) Modelica libraryÌýand apply it to the communities in Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ;Ìý
• DevelopingÌýadvanced control strategies forÌýgrid-interactive resilient communitiesÌýexpanding upon our open sourceÌýNet Zero Energy Community (NZEC) Modelica libraryÌýbased on a real-world net zero energy community in Florida;Ìý
• Creating open source Modelica models for theÌýoptimal design of grid-interactive efficient district energy system;Ìý
• InvestigatingÌýholistic building system modeling and control based on our open sourceÌýend-to-end data center cooling system modeling and optimization package;Ìý
• Inventing smart sensor networks and machine learning methods toÌýmodernize cities via smart garden alleys with application in Indonesia;
• Harvesting real-world data for multi-scale building stock classification and energy performance prediction via US-Ireland R&D partnerships;
• ±Ê±ð°ù´Ú´Ç°ù³¾¾±²Ô²µÌýlarge-scale building energy simulation on supercomputers to supportÌýbuidling energy rating programs.

What can we offer?

AllÌýour Ph.D. students are fully funded. In addition,Ìýwe have developed a system for training,Ìýmentoring and supporting, including

• a personalized career developmentÌýplan,Ìý
• a dedicated student mentor,
• weekly individual technical meeting with Dr. Zuo to go deep in your research,
• bi-weekly group meeting to share your research and learn from otherÌýlab members,
• various training materials, guidelines, and tipsÌýdeveloped by our members,
• internal supporting and collaborative environment,

to ensure that allÌýour Ph.D. graduates will have:Ìý

• outstanding dissertations. In 2019-2021, our Ph.D. studentsÌýhave been nominated twiceÌýfor College of Engineering & Applied Science'sÌýOutstanding Dissertation Award by the Department Civil, Environmental and Architectural EngineeringÌý(the department only nominates one disseration for that awardÌýevery year).Ìý
• deep knowledgeÌýin yourÌýspecific area, which isÌýevidenced by publishing at least 4 first-authorÌýpapers at top journals.
• broad visionÌýabout otherÌýrelated research area, which is evidenced by co-authoring multiple journal papers with lab mates. All Ph.D. students are expected to be expert in their niche area. ByÌýsupporting other lab mates with your expertise, you will extend your research and boost your publication.
• multi-disciplinary backgroundÌýinÌýphysical systems,Ìýsoftware engineering and numerical analysis. Many of our projects are related to developing open source modeling toolsÌýfor the energy efficient buildings and communities, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory'sÌýModelica Buildings Library.ÌýOur students will become experts in both physical system and software development.
• extensive collaborationÌýwith other universities, DOE national labs (e.g., ANL,ÌýNREL, LBNL, LLNL, ORNL, PNNL), and companies. Most of our research projects are multi-institute collaborative projects. Students are expected to interact with our collaborators on a regular base.Ìý
• excellent communication skillsÌýin bothÌýwritingÌýand presenting.Ìý
• good management skillsÌýincluding project management, interaction with sponsors and external partners,Ìýlab management, recruitment, and mentoring new Ph.D. students.Ìý
• experience in grant proposal development. All students are encouraged to develop grant proposals with Dr. Zuo.ÌýSeveralÌýstudents have helpedÌýsecuring multi-million dollarsÌýexternal grants from National Science Foundation andÌýUS Department of Energy.Ìý
• strong support inÌýapplications of various internal and external awards and fellowships. Our labÌýtypically receives 10+ studentÌýawardsÌýevery year.

What do we expect?

We expect the applicants have strong interests in computer modeling and simulation as this is our main research focus. In addition, we expect the following from our applicants:Ìý

• devoted to research and work hard
• solid background inÌýfluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, building and community energy and control systems. Ìý
• research experience with tangible outcome (e.g., peer reviewed publications)Ìý
• willing and be able to learn new knowledge quickly
• work independently in a team environment
• good English verbal and written communication skills
• programming experience (e.g., C/C++, Modelica, Matlab, Python)Ìý
• previous researchÌýexperience in modeling and simulation is preferred, but not required

How to apply?

Our lab is in the procces of moving to Penn State University. Please submit your application to .

In your personal statement, please indicate that you want to work with Dr. Zuo so that your application will be brought to our attention.

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