Researcher / Researcheress - Assessment of Urban Development for Decarbonation and Best Practice Design Recommendations
ETH Zurich - April 28, 2025
Researcher - Assessment of Urban Development for Decarbonation and Best Practice Design Recommendations
100%, Singapore, fixed-term
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ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities, renowned for its emphasis on science and engineering. In 2010, it established the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to tackle pressing interdisciplinary research challenges.
The centre currently hosts several research programs, with the Future Cities Laboratory Global (FCL Global) being one of the key initiatives. It boasts a vibrant community of over 100 PhD, postdoctoral, and professorial researchers dedicated to various themes related to sustainable urban development and resilient infrastructure systems. Researchers actively collaborate with universities, research institutes, industry partners, and government agencies to deliver practical solutions.
Job Description
In this role, you will play a crucial part in developing best practice design recommendations and guidelines aimed at decarbonization and climate-sensitive urban design. Your work will center on assessing urban development projects, identifying key sustainability strategies, and translating design-based research findings into actionable urban design principles.
Your key responsibilities will include:
Evaluating urban design and planning strategies for decarbonization and climate resilience, utilizing global best practices and case studies.
Developing best practice design recommendations that integrate regenerative, mitigation, and adaptation strategies for climate-sensitive urban development.
Assessing urban-scale sustainability frameworks and design proposals to extract innovative solutions for resilient, low-carbon cities.
Collaborating with researchers, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to refine and validate urban design strategies.
Synthesizing research findings into comprehensive design guidelines to inform policymakers, urban designers, and planners.
Contributing to academic publications and technical reports as lead author or co-author.
Engaging in workshops, presentations, and discussions with international experts, research institutions, and governmental agencies to communicate findings effectively.
Profile
Mandatory Requirements:
You have:
A Master’s degree in Urban Design, Urban Planning, or a related field.
At least five years of combined research and professional experience in urban design, strategic planning, and sustainability-driven development.
Proven expertise in leading interdisciplinary research and synthesizing urban projects into best practice design recommendations.
Demonstrable experience in high-level urban design evaluation, incorporating climate adaptation, mitigation, and regenerative strategies.
A strong ability to critically assess diverse urban projects, extract key insights, and develop comprehensive design guidelines for policymakers, planners, and urban designers.
Extensive experience consulting with government agencies and international organizations, advising on climate-sensitive urban strategies.
A solid publication record contributing to academic research and technical reports on sustainable urban design, WSUD, and resilient city planning.
Experience leading interdisciplinary collaborations with policymakers, designers, and researchers to develop best practice urban solutions and planning recommendations.
You are:
A highly self-motivated and independent researcher with a proven track record in developing urban design strategies and policy-oriented recommendations.
An effective communicator, skilled at interdisciplinary collaboration.
Proactive: You identify potential challenges, set clear research objectives, and consistently meet targets.
Rational and clear: You articulate complex urban design and planning concepts in an accessible and structured manner.
An excellent collaborator, adept at engaging with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, designers, and fellow researchers.
Skilled at synthesizing diverse urban development scenarios into practical best-practice guidelines for decarbonization and climate adaptation.
Flexible and curious, able to quickly adapt and apply suitable research methods and analytical tools based on project requirements.
Comfortable engaging with international experts and policymakers, presenting findings effectively through written reports, presentations, and workshops.
Interested in innovative urban development concepts such as climate-sensitive urban design, nature-based solutions, water-sensitive urban design (WSUD), sustainable urbanism, and sustainable development policy frameworks.
Significantly Beneficial Attributes:
Proven ability to develop best practice urban design and planning recommendations aligned with global climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Experience working with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations to implement policy-driven urban solutions.
A strong understanding of the intersection between research, policy, and design.
A collaborative team player, always focused on delivering high-quality results.
Desirable Attributes:
A confident and engaging presenter who can effectively communicate urban strategies to policymakers, academics, and industry professionals.
Experience in policy advisory roles, contributing to global urban development discussions and shaping strategic frameworks.
Workplace
The Singapore-ETH Centre provides a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment for researchers working on diverse themes focused on sustainable and livable cities, resilient urban systems, and patient-centric healthcare. The center is home to a community of over 100 doctoral, postdoctoral, and professorial researchers.
We Offer
Why SEC is Your Employer of Choice:
Accredited with 5 Tripartite Standards by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) Singapore.
A diverse workplace with 32 nationalities, offering ample opportunities for mutual learning.
A positive and inclusive working environment.
25 days of annual leave for fixed-term contracts.
1 day of Birthday Leave.
Annual dental benefits.
A commitment to being a supportive employer as you prioritize your physical and mental wellness.
Comprehensive healthcare insurance coverage.
Flexible hybrid work arrangement (up to 2 days per week from home).
Abundant networking opportunities across various disciplines.
Accredited with NS mark certification.
The Singapore-ETH Centre is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer. All candidates will be evaluated on their merits and qualifications, regardless of gender, race, age, or religion.
We Value Diversity
In alignment with our values, ETH Zurich fosters an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a work and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected.
Curious? So Are We.
We look forward to receiving your online application using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
Duration: Full-Time position (Contract), Salary: SGD 7325 - SGD 8425/month
For further information about the Singapore-ETH Centre, please visit our website. For specific inquiries, you may contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rudi Stouffs at .