Research Assistant in cooling systems and thermal energy storage

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Research Assistant in cooling systems and thermal energy storage (Cardiff School of Engineering)

The Centre for Integrated Renewable Energy Generation and Supply (CIREGS), one of the research groups within Cardiff School of Engineering, is looking to recruit a Research Assistant for an exciting EPSRC-funded project on the decarbonisation of heating and cooling systems.

The successful candidate will undertake research duties on cooling systems and thermal energy storage consistent with the work programme of the project ‘Flexibility from Cooling and Storage (Flex-Cool-Store)’, including creating datasets for cooling demand profiles at local and community regions, modelling and design of cooling supply technologies including storage, simulation of community level cooling systems, optimal scheduling of energy systems with thermal energy storage, and provision of grid services using thermal energy storage. The Research Assistant will conduct work leading to the publishing of research outputs in journals, pursue excellence in research, and inspire others to do the same.

About the project

For the UK, decarbonisation of the energy sector to mitigate climate change is a crucial ambition, becoming the first major economy to pass legislation to end its contribution to global warming by 2050 by reducing its carbon emissions to net-zero. Even though a significant emission reduction has been already achieved in the electric power sector, progress has been limited in other areas, such as heating (including space cooling), which accounts for over a third of UK emissions. Heating and cooling are central to our lives not only for comfort and daily activities, but also to facilitate productive workplaces and to run a variety of industrial processes. Decarbonising heating and cooling and reducing emissions from buildings are thus paramount to meet net-zero targets. Cooling decarbonisation has not previously received significant attention, but this is changing due to population increase and climate change.

Flex-Cool-Store is an interdisciplinary project bringing together expertise on techno-economic, societal and policy aspects of electrical power supply and thermal energy systems. Its main objective is to investigate the potential impacts of a growth in UK cooling demand and how this growth can be managed through proactive design and flexible operation of the cooling supply system and energy storage, and how the new demand can be served by an increasingly decarbonised electricity system. Underpinning this, public perception towards the adoption of cooling technologies within buildings and communities and consumer participation in flexibility provision from energy storage at household level will be explored via interviews and public workshops. Outcomes will be considered alongside pathways and policies associated with heat decarbonisation, and novel analysis using 'elite' interviews with policy makers will be conducted to consider the potential relationship between heat decarbonisation strategies, cooling and storage. This interdisciplinary approach will enable Flex-Cool-Store to address the issue of increasing demand for cooling and decarbonisation from multiple angles and to develop an even stronger evidence for best practice around buildings decarbonisation.

This project mainly comprises five work packages, which are:

About Cardiff University School of Engineering and the CIREGS group

The School of Engineering conducts internationally renowned research alongside teaching that places students at the centre of the learning experience.

The School of Engineering holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in science. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. For this vacancy we actively encourage women to apply. We will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share opportunities.  About us - School of Engineering - Cardiff University

The Centre for Integrated Renewable Energy Generation and Supply (CIREGS) was established in 2008 as a small multidisciplinary engineering research group with international expertise in both the supply and transmission of energy. CIREGS now has 11 academic staff members, 12 Post-Doctoral Research Associates, 4 International Training Network Marie Curie researchers and 29 PhD students. To find out more go to:

Centre for Integrated Renewable Energy Generation and Supply - Research - Cardiff University

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/centre-for-integrated-renewable-energy-generation-and-supply-ciregs-

The post is full-time and fixed-term starting ideally on 1st September 2021 for 36 months (until 31st August 2024).

Salary: £27,511 - £31,866 per annum (Grade 5)

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr Carlos E Ugalde Loo ([email protected] ).

For informal enquiries about working at Cardiff School of Engineering please contact Bev Jones  [email protected] .

Date advert posted: Thursday, 12 August 2021

Closing date: Thursday, 2 September 2021

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Please NOTE: Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

• To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments.
• Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.
• To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required.
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required.
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
• To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate.
• To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team.
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.    An engineering degree (second-class honours, upper division 2.1 or better) preferably with content on energy systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    Knowledge of research methods and techniques within specialist field including:
a.    Steady-state modelling techniques of integrated energy systems.
b.    System optimisation.
c.    Use of MATLAB/Simulink to model or simulate energy systems.

3.    Proven ability to analyse complex information, including large datasets, and summarise appropriately.
4.    Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.
5.    Knowledge and understanding of low carbon technologies in energy systems.

Communication and Team Working
6.    Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences.
7.    Excellent organisational and team-working skills.

Other
8.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work.

Desirable Criteria

1.    Postgraduate degree at MSc level (or nearing completion) in energy systems or relevant industrial experience.
2.    Relevant professional qualification(s).
3.    Evidence of collaborations with industry.
4.    Proven ability to work without close supervision.
5.    Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
6.    Proven understanding of UK policy towards energy systems decarbonisation.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 12058BR.  

Job Category

Academic - Research