School of Engineering - Research Staff (Cold Storage & Cryogenic Systems)

[What the role is]

Are you ready to build next-generation, sustainable cold chain logistics for life-saving biopharmaceuticals?

Republic Polytechnic's School of Engineering (SEG), in strategic partnership with industry leader SSW Group, is seeking an ambitious full-time Research Staff (12-month contract) to engineer an industrial-scale 1"m" ^3 self-sustained passive cold storage platform under a DGF-funded initiative.

Current biopharmaceutical distribution relies on massive active energy inputs and heavy daily coolant consumption. This project completely disrupts that model by building a zero-power-in-transit, high-performance thermal container (1"m"×1"m"×1"m" ) capable of locking in sub-zero temperatures (2–8°C) for over 72 continuous hours in harsh tropical environments.

Beyond standard transport, this passive design provides critical fail-safe protection against warehouse power outages and opens up new pathways for long-haul air and sea freight to distant international markets without relying on active electrical refrigeration networks.

You will lead the hands-on engineering across two breakthrough technological pillars:
- Active-Passive "Flash-Charging" Cryogenic System: A rapid-charging base station interface utilizing specialized heat exchangers and Liquid Nitrogen (LN_2) bursts to charge high-density Phase Change Material (PCM) cores and Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIP).
- Triple-Vector IoT Telemetry Engine: An ultra-low-power, cloud-connected sensor matrix tracking real-time Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Oxygen (O_2) levels to ensure absolute data transparency and regulatory compliance (HSA/FDA standards).

The successful candidate will contribute to prototype development, laboratory research, system integration, cold box temperature analysis, field validation at mimic cold storage environment, and technology commercialisation.

[What you will be working on]

- Perform 3D CAD modelling, understand basic fluid dynamics, and heat exchanger design to eliminate thermal dead zones and maximize LN_2 thermodynamic efficiency across a 1"m" ^3 volume.
- Design, route, and balance high-pressure LN_2 cryogenic pipelines, vacuum-jacketed tubings, manifolds, and automated valve safety systems.
- Build IOT, test, and integrate low-power microcontrollers and sensor arrays (Temp,RH,O_2) with live, cloud-based telemetry dashboards.
- Perform laboratory experiments, cold storage environment trials, temperature and humidity monitoring, passive cold storage box testing, and data analysis. 
- Develop, integrate, and evaluate prototype systems, sensors, and instrumentation. 
- Collaborate with industry partners to support technology validation and deployment. 
- Supervise final-year project students and interns involved in the project. 
- Support intellectual property (IP) development, technology transfer, and commercialisation activities. 
- Prepare technical reports, journal publications, presentations, and research grant proposals. 
- Manage laboratory equipment & consumables, procurement, safety compliance, and research products.

[What we are looking for]

- Qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Fluid Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Systems Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
- Have basic foundational understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, or cold-chain storage technologies.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD modelling (Autodesk Fusion 360 or SolidWorks) and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles.
- Practical skills in embedded electronics, microcontroller programming (Arduino / ESP32), and IoT sensor integration.
- Experience or have interest in cryogenic fluids (LN_2), heat exchangers, or fluid pipeline design is a major advantage.
- A hands-on, proactive mindset with the drive to build physical prototypes and lead projects independently in a dynamic lab environment.
- Strong technical writing and data presentation skills.
- Entry-level candidates with strong final-year project experience in thermal fluids, mechatronics, or smart hardware are highly encouraged to apply.