Researcher – Assessment of Urban Development for Decarbonation and Best Practice Design Recommendations

ETH Zurich is one of the leading universities of the world with a strong focus on science and engineering. In 2010 it established the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to do interdisciplinary research on pressing problems. 

The centre currently runs several research programmes with the Future Cities Laboratory Global (FCL Global) as one of the programmes. It is home to a community of over 100 PhD, Postdoctoral and Professorial researchers working on diverse themes related to sustainable cities and resilient infrastructure systems. In the course of their work, researchers actively collaborate with universities, research institutes, industry, and government agencies with the aim of offering practical solutions

As part of this role, you will contribute to the development of best practice design recommendations and guidelines for decarbonization and climate-sensitive urban design. Your work will focus on assessing urban development projects, identifying key sustainability strategies, and synthesizing 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, incorporating 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 and 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 that can 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. 

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, integrating climate adaptation, mitigation, and regenerative strategies. 
• A proven ability to critically assess diverse urban projects, extract key insights, and develop comprehensive design guidelines for policymakers, planners, and urban designers. 
• Extensive experience in consulting for government agencies and international organizations, advising on climate-sensitive urban strategies. 
• A strong publication record, contributing to academic research and technical reports on sustainable urban design, WSUD, and resilient city planning. 
• Experience in leading interdisciplinary collaborations with policy-makers, 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 effectively 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. 
• Interpersonal: You excel at collaborating constructively with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, designers, and fellow researchers. 
• Skilled at synthesizing diverse urban development scenarios into clear and actionable best-practice guidelines for decarbonisation and climate adaptation. 
• Flexible and curious, able to quickly identify, adapt, and apply suitable research methods and analytical tools depending 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. 
• Experienced in 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, ensuring that urban development strategies are data-driven and action-oriented. 
• A team player who is collaborative, constructive, and always focused on delivering high-quality results. 

Desirable Attributes: 

• A confident and engaging presenter, able to communicate urban strategies effectively to policymakers, academics, and industry professionals. 
• Experienced in policy advisory roles, contributing to global urban development discussions and shaping strategic frameworks. 

Why SEC is your employer of choice? 

• Accredited with 5 Tripartite Standards by Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) Singapore. 
• A diverse workplace with 32 nationalities, offering ample opportunities for mutual learning. 
• Positive and inclusive working environment. 
• 25 days of annual leave for fixed-term contracts. 
• 1 day of Birthday Leave. 
• Annual dental benefits. 
• Committed 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, without regards to gender, race, age or religion.