Research Associate in Hydrogen Energy and Air Pollution Impacts

Location: South Kensington Campus

Job Summary

This post provides an opportunity to contribute to research underpinning future development of hydrogen within the transition to net zero, and explore how this may affect future improvement of air pollution. It is funded under a joint project between UCL and Imperial College named COSH-AIR (Community scenarios of hydrogen energy and impacts on air pollution) as part of a NERC programme on hydrogen emissions. http://gotw.nerc.ac.uk/list_them.asp?them=Hydrogen&cookieConsent=A

The post is for 15 months and will be based in the Centre for Environmental Policy within Imperial College, internationally recognised for leading research on climate change and environmental security. You will be reporting to Professor Helen ApSimon and Dr Jeremy Woods, and supported by the Integrated Assessment Unit, which undertakes extensive research for government to support post Brexit policy on air pollution. There will be close liaison with work led by Professor Paul Dodds, Professor of Energy Systems, developing and applying world-leading energy modelling in the UCL Energy Institute. You will also be interacting with wider work on future energy scenarios at Imperial, including through the Energy Futures Lab

The future role of hydrogen towards achieving net zero is of increasing interest, and a growth area of research. The aim of this project is to understand how adopting hydrogen technologies is likely to affect air pollution. There are many potential uses for hydrogen, and the allocation of future uptake is very uncertain. But using hydrogen will enable us to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, and be an alternative to biomass, where, for example, wood used for domestic heating can be highly polluting.

Duties and responsibilities.

• Modelling developments to link the UKIAM and TIMES models, and represent new sources and technologies
• With the support of the Integrated Assessment Unit applying UKIAM to assess the air pollution impacts
• Close liaison with UCL; and coordination with other related research at Imperial.
• Maintaining accurate and complete records of all findings; and reporting of the work, including the writing of reports and conference presentation;, and  the preparation of journal papers for publication

Essential requirements

• A PhD (or near to completion) or commensurate experience in energy futures.
• Knowledge of measures to achieve net zero and associated scenarios for energy generation; especially including hydrogen production and use.
• An understanding of sources of air pollution and synergies with reduction of greenhouse gases
• Experience in computer modelling (e,g using C, Python, GIS) and adapting/developing software. Knowledge of research methods and statistical procedures; and practical experience within a research environment..
• Experience in environmental modelling and scenario analysis will be an advantage but not essential
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Evidence from existing journal publications or conference papers will be helpful.

Further Information

This is a full time, fixed term position for 15 months starting this summer. You will be based at South Kensington Campus.

Candidates need to complete an on-line application.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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

Should you require any further details on the role please contact Professor ApSimon h.apsimon@imperial.ac.uk

Closing date: 28/04/2023

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