National Energy Systems Modelling Opportunities

Levels : Various 

Status: Permanent /Full-time strongly preferable (however can potentially be flexible)

Location: These positions can be remote anywhere in the UK however travel to our Birmingham Office on a regular basis will be required.

Transitioning to a low-carbon energy system to meet the 2050 net zero target is one of the most complex and important challenges society has ever faced, as such it will be crucial to understand the costs and benefits of different technologies, system designs and decarbonisation pathways.

The Catapult’s Whole System Modelling & Analysis capability is focused on doing just that and as the demand for our expertise & services continues to grow, we have decided to expand and therefore have a variety of exciting opportunities available.

You

As a Mathematician, Physicist, Engineer, or Economist, you might prefer an opportunity that is focused on analysing, interpreting, and presenting results, alternatively you might be much more interested in opportunities that are focused more on building new or refining existing models and tools, or perhaps you would like a blend of both?

Either way you will be attracted by an opportunity that will enable your work to have a real meaningful impact, as we help a broad range of organisations address a wide variety of decarbonisation challenges.  

The team uses a variety of computational models to help a broad range of organisations deal with their decarbonisation challenges. We build, develop and use new and existing energy systems tools to achieve this and are looking for people to contribute as model developers, engineers and analysts. Where you wish to focus your role is largely up to you. If model development is of interest, it would be great if you have experience in developing optimisation models in Python or specific optimization modelling languages, but if not don’t rule yourself out, as experience with other programming languages & software environments may also be applicable.

Although the opportunities are focused on the UK’s National Energy System, experience in this field is not a prerequisite, particularly if you can demonstrate that you have the necessary technical capabilities and are able to conceptualise and make sense of possible future energy scenarios. You will also need to be comfortable and effective working in a collaborative environment, which in turn will help you deliver impactful solutions and evidence to those organisations we help.

So, if you would like a career in national energy system modelling and make a real meaningful impact on the Energy Transition, then look no further you may have just discovered the opportunity you were looking for.

Depending on your capabilities and areas of interest, the opportunities will focus to varying degrees on the areas below:  

Focus Area 1

Expertly interpreting modelling outputs and delivering high quality and robust work based on those results, will be a key focus area of this opportunity.

Our clients include both public and private organisations and our modelling is used to support policymaking by government, decision making relating to national and local energy system infrastructure and more effective targeting of innovation investment by businesses and government.

In tackling this focus area, you will utilise your expertise in analytical /mathematical techniques & effective communication skills, to interpret and deliver valuable insights in various forms, including reports, specific technical input into projects & programmes and attending/speaking at various workshops & events.

Your ability to consult with various clients and colleagues to translate needs and requirements into more detailed technical model specifications will also be important in tackling this area and you will also be expected to provide technical leadership on projects and support to others within the team.

Focus Area 2

The Catapult already has a suite of excellent modelling assets; however, refinement of those models is an ongoing process to ensure they become ever more capable, robust and efficient to exploit. Also, as we aim to answer the critical questions for the energy system transition, we will inevitably be creating new modelling tools.

Your first-rate capabilities in developing, validating, deploying, and maintaining models will come to the fore in this focus area, not so much in terms of creating brand new models but more around implementing new functionality/technical specifications etc to respond to specific project requirements as they arise or supporting external organisations and other internal teams with model refinements that help us answer or respond to a particular questions or challenges.

Next Step

Energy System Catapult’s team is just over two hundred strong and is diverse, friendly and super passionate about making a real impact, we also recognise how important a positive work/life balance is for our employees. 

So, if you would like to make a real difference, love a challenge, excited by the opportunity to do worthwhile work, you best apply.

Would you like to Apply?

The closing date for applications is Sunday 26th February 2023. 

Please note that at this time we are unable to provide UK visa sponsorship.

Energy Systems Catapult undertakes innovative and exciting work that will help shape the future of energy, with this in mind we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible, as we do reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

(Strictly No Agencies).

"We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion and belief, sexual orientation, or status regarding gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity."