Vacancy Reference No: P33-2013Engineering Doctorate (EngD) Research Engineer “Understanding the interaction of human activities and building energy consumption to drive energy efficiency”

The University of Reading has been at the forefront of research into sustainability and the environment for many decades. This leadership in climate and environmental science research brings with it responsibilities to show leadership in our own environmental practices.

This dynamic and broad skilled project will investigate how people do/don’t engage with energy consumption/efficiency, through people-centred, ICT based, energy efficiency techniques, using buildings on the campus of the University of Reading as test-beds. There is increasingly strong evidence of the major carbon saving potential of energy monitoring and management, based on latest ICT and control technologies, which integrate holistically the optimisation of building energy systems and the engagement of users in the facilities management process. This project will evaluate monitored energy data for the diverse campus buildings, against the interaction of activity in buildings, to understand real-time efficiencies and energy consumption. It is envisaged that this EngD will contribute substantially to the University’s Carbon reduction target across campus as well as generate new understanding and insights of a campus community model.

This new project is the collaboration between the Technologies for Sustainable Built Environments Centre and the University of Reading Environment, Energy and Sustainable Travel (EEST) Team. The academic supervision will be guided by Professor Li Shao, Professor in Sustainable Technologies for the Built Environment for the School of Construction Management and Engineering and Dr Phil Beaman, Associate Professor in Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences.

We are seeking self-motivated, pro-active and ambitious applicants with a background in data management, environmental management or software engineering. Applicants must possess a good degree (2:1 or higher) or MSc in a related area. We will develop you as a first class communicator with a head for business and a drive to deliver the quality doctoral level research within one of the fastest growing disciplines.

The University has one of the most beautiful and diverse campuses in the UK; in total the University manages over 300 acres of parkland, 20 acres of Sports pitches and 10 acres of formal gardens and around 100 diverse properties, several of which have listed status. The Environment, Energy and Sustainable Travel (EEST) Team, working within Estates & Facilities Team are committed to delivering the sustainable business model that is vital for the protection of this diversity and to reflect on Good Practice for other campuses. A leading principal in this drive is to reduce University wide carbon emissions by 35% by 2015 against a 2008/09 baseline.