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

• Exploring multi-scale modeling technique for future smart and connected cities using the equation-based Modelica language and building upon our open source Smart and Connected Community (SCC) Modelica library and apply it to the communities in Colorado;
• Developing advanced control strategies for grid-interactive resilient communities expanding upon our open source Net Zero Energy Community (NZEC) Modelica library based on a real-world net zero energy community in Florida;
• Creating open source Modelica models for the optimal design of grid-interactive efficient district energy system;
• Investigating holistic building system modeling and control based on our open source end-to-end data center cooling system modeling and optimization package;
• Inventing smart sensor networks and machine learning methods to modernize 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;
• Performing large-scale building energy simulation on supercomputers to support building energy rating programs.

We are looking for multiple Ph.D. students starting in Fall 2025. 

What can we offer?

All of our Ph.D. students are fully funded including summer. In addition, we have developed a system for training, mentoring and supporting, including

• A personalized career development plan and a personalized training plan for 1st year student,
• 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 other lab members,
• Various training materials, guidelines, and tips developed by our members,
• Internal supporting and collaborative environment,
• Extensive network for external collaboration,
• Internship opportunity at DOE national labs and industry,
• A new workstation computer with dual monitors and other necessary hardware and software for research,
• Various social activities, vacation days for students, and bonus vacation days,
• international research experience

To ensure that all our Ph.D. graduates will have:

• Outstanding dissertations. So far, four out of seven Ph.D. graduates in SBS lab has been awarded the Outstanding Disssertation by College of Engineering or selected as solo nominee of the department for that award in the year of their graduation.
• Deep knowledge in your specific area, which is evidenced by publishing at least 4 first-author papers at top journals.
• Broad vision about other related 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. By supporting other lab mates with your expertise, you will extend your research and boost your publication.
• Multi-disciplinary background in physical systems, software engineering and numerical analysis. Many of our projects are related to developing open source modeling tools for the energy efficient buildings and communities, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Modelica Buildings Library. Our students will become experts in both physical system and software development.
• Extensive collaboration with other universities, DOE national labs (e.g., ANL, NREL, 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.
• Excellent communication skills in both writing and presenting.
• Good management skills including project management, interaction with sponsors and external partners, lab management, recruitment, and mentoring new Ph.D. students.
• Experience in grant proposal development. All students are encouraged to develop grant proposals with Dr. Zuo. Several students have helped securing multi-million dollars external grants from National Science Foundation and US Department of Energy.
• Various awards and fellowships. Our lab has developed a strong supporting system so that our students typically receives 10+ student awards every year. In 2022 and 2023, our students received 43 awards.

What do we expect?

We expect the applicants have strong interests in exploring new knowledge. In addition, we expect the following from our applicants:

• Devoted to research and work hard
• Solid background in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, building and community energy and control systems.
• Research experience with tangible outcome (e.g., peer reviewed publications)
• 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)
• Experience in using engineering software (e.g., EnergyPlus, TRNSYS, OpenStudio, FLUENT) is preferred depending on the applied research projects
• Previous research experience in modeling and simulation is preferred, but not required

How to apply?

Dr. Zuo can admit Ph.D. students from both Department of Architectural Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering. Each department has its own requirements on admission and graduation. Please visit the department website carefully and decide which department you should apply for. In your personal statement, please indicate that you want to work with Dr. Zuo so that your application will be brought to our attention. You can also send a copy of your application directly to Dr. Zuo.