Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to August 2026

Background

We are recruiting a highly motivated researcher to join Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage at the School of Chemical Engineering of the University of Birmingham and projects funded by Horizon Europe and URKI. The role requires experience in techno-economic modelling, optimization, and integration of energy storage into multi-energy systems. 

Role Summary

Working in close collaboration with academics at the University of Birmingham, project partners and industrial partners, the post holder will contribute to the development, application, testing and validation of models, with modelling results contributing to the development and optimization of real-life multi-energy systems in the UK and overseas.

The position is part of national/international projects (Horizon Europe, UKRI) aimed at ‘transforming industrial clusters and energy districts into multi-energy systems integrating renewable energy sources, energy networks, and zero-carbon technologies’. Exemplar case of such multi-energy system is our unique real-life Tyseley Energy Park in East Birmingham.

This research and development will ultimately result in new scientific knowledge across relevant communities, know-how and intellectual property, towards net zero.

Examples of our world-leading energy systems modelling activities can be found here: 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X23001317 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019689042100337X 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261919317507 

Main Duties

• Develop the models based on existing and new simulation environments, for simulation of multi-energy systems with other zero-carbon technologies as well as thermal energy storage
• Implement and test the models in real environments
• Perform robust techno-economic analysis and optimization of multi-energy systems 
• Collect, analyse and study the impact of zero-carbon technologies and energy storage on energy demand and energy generation of multi-energy systems (industrial clusters, energy districts etc) 
• Validate the results for real cases of multi-energy systems, both in the UK (Birmingham) and in other countries in Europe
• Present research outputs, for example at conferences, workshops, and project review meetings
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required

Person Specification

• Hold or be close to completing a PHD in an area of research within energy systems, or energy processes & technologies, or energy storage
• Good underpinning degree in relevant field of science or engineering, for example: energy engineering, mechanical/chemical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science or a discipline closely related to the main duties
• Proven track record in energy systems modelling and techno-economic analysis of energy systems and technologies
• Proven track record and demonstrable proficiency in high-level programming for simulations and optimization of energy systems (e.g. Python, Matlab, Modelica, Julia, EES Engineering Equation Solver, or other similar)

Informal enquiries to Lada Zimina, email: l.zimina@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 17^th February 2025

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