PhD Student: wind-driven hail impacts on roofing, façade, and building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV)

PHD position

Wind-Driven Hail Impact on BIPV, Façade and Roofing Systems

Supervisor: Professor Hua Ge

Department: Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering

University: Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

Start Date: Winter 2027

PDF Fellowship: 35K CAD per year, 3 years

Project Overview

This PhD project investigates wind-driven hail impacts on building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), façade, and roofing systems under present and future climate conditions. The research will integrate hail hazard assessment, building aerodynamics, hail trajectories, impact mechanics, computational modelling, and experimental testing to develop climate-informed hail exposure and testing methodologies. The project offers an interdisciplinary research environment combining engineering modelling with practical applications in building-envelope performance and resilience. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are preferred. Expected start date: January 2027.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct PhD research on wind-driven hail impacts on building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), façade, and roofing systems under present and future climate conditions.
• Investigate the interaction between hail hazards, building aerodynamics, hail trajectories, and impact mechanics.
• Develop and apply computational modelling approaches, including CFD and/or finite-element modelling, to simulate wind-driven hail and its interaction with building systems.
• Design and conduct experimental and laboratory testing to evaluate hail impact and building-envelope performance.
• Integrate computational modelling and experimental results to assess the vulnerability and performance of BIPV, façade, and roofing systems.
• Analyze the influence of severe weather and changing climate conditions on hail exposure and impact risk.
• Apply programming and data-analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, and/or C++ for modelling, simulation, and statistical analysis.
• Contribute to the development of climate-informed hail exposure and testing methodologies for engineering applications.
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary research environment connecting wind engineering, building science, structural mechanics, climate analysis, and renewable-energy systems.
• Prepare research results for peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and technical reports.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Building Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Wind Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong computational and quantitative skills.
• Research experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and building aerodynamics
• Wind engineering and atmospheric boundary-layer modelling
• Structural or impact mechanics and finite-element modelling
• Experimental mechanics and laboratory testing
• Python, MATLAB, and/or C++ programming
• Statistical analysis and/or uncertainty analysis
• Interest in combining computational modelling with experimental research and practical engineering applications.
• Ability to conduct independent research and work effectively in an interdisciplinary research team.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills.
• Experience with building envelopes, BIPV/PV systems, severe weather, hail hazards, or climate-change analysis is considered an asset but is not required.
• Availability to begin the PhD program in January 2027.

How to apply

Please send the following documents in a single PDF file to volt-age.recruitment@concordia.ca:

• Letter of intent strongly aligned with the project and the research domain of the professor
• Academic CV
• Transcripts
• Names and contact information of 3 referees
• Publications if any
• Any other documents that might benefit your file

Subject of the email: Hail-impact project_Your name

Please indicate whether you are currently enrolled in BCEE’s M.Eng. program.

Deadline: October 16, 2026