Esfand Burman studied mechanical engineering at KNT University of Technology (BSc) and Sharif University of Technology (MSc). Esfand continued his postgraduate studies at the University of Nottingham where he earned Master of Science degree with distinction in Manufacturing Engineering & Management in 2006.  He then practiced as a building services mechanical design engineer at Hurley Palmer Flatt and senior energy consultant at Arcadis UK before joining UCL for doctoral research in 2010.  Esfand undertook a four-year Engineering Doctorate (EngD)programme at UCL Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience sponsored by AHR Global Architects (formerly AEDAS Architects) and the EPSRC. His doctoral research was focused on the energy and sustainability performance of educational buildings.

Esfand is a chartered engineer and member of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CEng MCIBSE), member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (MASHRAE), and Certified Energy Manager (CEM) with the Association of Energy Engineers. His academic interests include energy and sustainability performance of buildings, post-occupancy evaluations, building energy performance simulation & calibration, low carbon HVAC design, and CFD analysis.