Job description

Job summary

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Research Associate to carry out research as an energy systems modeller.  The role will give you the ability to make a lasting impact on climate change mitigation, one of the grand challenges facing the world this century.

It is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of energy systems modelling development and application, building and applying models around the world in new and existing modelling frameworks (e.g. OSeMOSYS, MUSE, TIMES), and applying them in high-impact settings that can change the direction countries take in addressing climate change.

Working closely with the world-renowned Climate Compatible Growth project team, partner country governments and international organisations, you will be able to bring your excellent quantitative, software development, communication and project management skills to bear to deliver energy system design insights and tools that will have a legacy in the countries we engage with.

Working within an excellent team at Imperial College London, you will also have opportunities for travel to collaborate around the world, with a focus on South and South East Asia, and Sub Saharan Africa. Academically, your work on modelling framework and data development will put you in an excellent position for a future career in this fast-paced area.

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £38,194 – £41,388 per annum.

Duties and responsibilities

In this exciting role you will be responsible for development and application of the MUSE modelling framework, a new agent-based integrated assessment model developed at Imperial College London. You will also support delivery of the Climate Compatible Growth project, engaging with CCG partner countries (e.g. Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Kenya, Zambia and more) at a senior level and co-creating modelling solutions that both meet their needs and deliver cutting edge research insights.

More broadly, you will work in the Imperial College SGI team, supporting activities as necessary, including MSc and MEng student supervision, supporting communications, and other initiatives as needed. As with any researcher role, you will publish your research in high impact journals and conferences, and build a network of peers and collaborators.

Essential requirements

• You will have a PhD or equivalent in an area involving energy systems modelling. If you do not have a PhD, you will be close to the award of one, with excellent skills and expertise for the role.


• You will have energy systems modelling skills, with experience building and applying models that consider future technology deployment to mitigate climate change. CCG currently uses OSeMOSYS, FlexTool, and MUSE, but candidates could come from any similar modelling background.


• Communication skills are essential for this role, with the ability to engage, motivate and secure relationships with our collaborators. This applies to both written and verbal communication.


• The ability to publish excellent articles that both deliver high impact and deep analysis is crucial. We aim to publish in the highest impact journals.


• It is highly desirable that you have formal software development experience, using recognised workflows and tools such as GitHub. Alongside this, coding skills will be very useful, for example Python, MySQL, GAMS scripting, C/C++.


• You must be able to work well within an excellent research team, both on individual tasks and in collaborative situations.

Further information

You can start immediately and your contract will run until December 2023 in the first instance, with the possibility of a further extension subject to funding. The post is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London (South Kensington Campus).

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Professor Adam Hawkes, a.hawkes@imperial.ac.uk.

To apply, please visit our website: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/. You will find this vacancy by searching either the position title or job number: ENG02258.  Candidates will need to complete an online application.

Further information about the post is available in the job description.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact chemeng.staffing@imperial.ac.uk.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday, 11th September 2022.

For technical issues when applying online please email recruitment@imperial.ac.uk

Documents

• ENG02258 - Research Associate - Job Description.doc