PhD - PREDICT – PRedicting Energy using Dynamic Indicators in a Calibrated Tool

Outline

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) or Building Energy Ratings (BERs) in Ireland, are mandated for buildings constructed, sold, or leased across the European Union (EU). However, EPC data can only offer an estimation of the actual building energy consumption leading to a gap between theoretical and actual measured energy consumed in homes.  PREDICT addresses this gap through the creation of an adaptive in-use factor (IUF) tool to predict occupied building energy use. This project will use large datasets from SEAI projects and new data to define and validate the IUF. 
PhD student’s main tasks: monitoring, modelling, surveying and interviewing; research & dissemination activities; and collaborating with post-doc and PIs at TU Dublin and in partner institutes. Their thesis will focus on qualifying and quantifying the influence of the occupant on energy use and related energy and emission performance gap in residential buildings.
As this is an accelerated 3-year PhD, the candidate needs to already have experience in research at a postgraduate level, for example a masters building services, building physics, mechanical or civil engineering 
Essential information to include in your CV:
•    Degree(s), Your final Grade in each, University Name & University International Ranking
•    Proof of English proficiency (see essential criteria)
•    List of any English Publications and/or links to examples of your writing in English (e.g. thesis)
•    Details of any experience in: energy use in buildings, monitoring, modelling, writing/conducting/analysing surveys or interviews, other research experience. 
NOTE FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS: Typically PhD student Visas do not allow for spouses to work in Ireland. The stipend is designed to support the PhD Student living in Ireland, it is not sufficient for the addition of a partner and / or children to live on.
 

What is funded

3 year PhD position
Student Stipend           € 25,000 p.a.
Materials/ Travel etc     € 7,200 shared between TU Dublin project team
Fees                              EU fees covered 
 

SEAI Research, Development and Demonstration Funding Programme

Duration

3 years

Eligibility

Essential (must outline how you meet these criteria in your application):
Minimum 2.1 in Level 8 BSc (or equivalent) in mechanical, building services, building physics, structural engineering, or other relevant field. [note that on their own: geotechnical/water/transport engineering or construction management are not considered relevant]
AND 
Postgraduate Research Experience e.g Level 9 or Equivalent Masters Degree which includes skills development or topics relevant to the project.
AND 
High proficiency in spoken and written English – minimum IELTS 7 or equivalent English test and/or educated through English.
AND
Dynamic Simulation Modelling experience of buildings and building systems
Preferred (in order of importance):
Experience/knowledge in; Writing of journal or conference papers, use of sensors and loggers and the interpretation of their outputs, interview or survey experience.   
 

Supervisor details

Name Ciara Ahern (Primary) 
School: Mechanical Engineering
Email: ciara.ahern@tudublin.ie
Name: Aimee Byrne 
School: Sustainability Office
Email: aimee.byrne@tudublin.ie
Name: Professor Jamie Goggins 
University of Galway
Email: jamie.goggins@universityofgalway.ie

Name: Dr. Paul Moran  
University of Galway
Email: paul.t.moran@univeristyofgalway.ie

Dublin Energy Lab 
https://www.tudublin.ie/research/discover-our-research/research-institu…
Construct Innovate
https://constructinnovate.ie/
 

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If you are interested in submitting an application for this project, please complete an Expression of Interest.