Job Description
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) of NUS invite applications for a Research Engineer position in Geotechnical Engineering.
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to join our team as a Research Engineer. This project focuses on investigating the active dilution of seawater using pumping systems coupled with rainfall replenishment in sand-filled reclaimed land. The research will combine 1-g physical model testing with analytical and numerical modelling to design optimal dilution strategies for underground freshwater reservoirs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Physical Testing: Construct and manage a 1-g physical model box simulating Singapore's reclaimed land stratigraphy (sand and clay layers).
- Data Collection & Monitoring: Execute extraction and replenishment tests; install and calibrate salinity sensors, piezometers, and flow visualization tools (dyed freshwater injections).
- Model Development: Develop analytical drawdown trajectory models based on classic pumping well theory and coupled groundwater flow/solute transport models using software such as SEAWAT or COMSOL.
- Field Simulations: Perform field-scale numerical simulations to evaluate dilution efficiency, timescales, and key influencing factors under varying soil conditions.
- Research Output: Analyze data, prepare progress reports, and present findings in academic journals and international conferences.
The findings will offer hydrological, geotechnical, and environmental insights into the entire implementation process and substantiate the feasibility of using seepage cut-off walls for underground reservoir establishment and coastal protection. This work will advance geomechanics and hydrogeology understanding, underground space development, coastal protection infrastructure multi-utilization, and sustainable urban planning.
Job Requirements
- Possess at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Hydrogeology, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Technical Skills: Experience with physical laboratory testing, soil mechanics, or hydrogeology experiments is preferred. Familiarity with numerical simulation software (e.g., COMSOL, SEAWAT, MODFLOW) or coding (Python, MATLAB) is an advantage.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Soft Skills: Strong analytical thinking, self-motivation, and the ability to work collaboratively in a research group.
- Open to fixed-term contract.