Research Assistant (AI Aided Energy Modelling)

Job description

Ranked the #1 UK Modern University for Engineering and Computer Science (GUG 2025), Edinburgh Napier University leads innovation in a rapidly changing world through future-ready education across disciplines like AI, renewable energy, computer/data science, engineering, building and surveying.

Currently, our School of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment are undertaking a British Council-funded collaborative research project with Ain Shams University, Egypt to develop a Matlab-based software package that will support in optimising electro-thermal load in a healthcare facility during the planning phase.

As such we are recruiting a Research Assistant to assist in developing an energy model based on existing Solar irradiance, historic load profile, blackout profile and thermal envelope profile of a health care facility.

The Role:

As Research Assistant on the project titled “Resilient & Green Healthcare in Egypt: AI-aided Optimal Electrothermal Energy Management Strategy Software Development”, you will be in an excellent position to use your knowledge, experience and achievements in Energy Modelling to develop a complex energy system model combining PV, Battery, Grid and existing electro thermal load profile, in collaboration with the project lead.

Your experience of system modelling (using Matlab) will come in useful here, as you consider appropriate design principles and execution while also developing a long-term forecasting model using machine learning algorithms (prior experience with Machine Learning model implementation would be advantageous here).

You will also have the opportunity to disseminate research findings in refereed journal publications and research seminars in collaboration with the Principal Investigator, undertaking relevant administration duties arising from the research – a chance to take ownership of this area of the project and add valuable experience to your developing research portfolio.

If you have an interest in Energy Modelling, have the skills and experience and a strong desire to apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding, then we would welcome an application from you.

What we will need from you:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in an Electrical /Power /Energy Engineering discipline relevant to the project, or equivalent qualifications
• Prior knowledge, experience and achievements in Energy Modelling, complex system modelling using Matlab
• Excellent programming skills in Matlab & Simulink
• Demonstrably high level of analytical capability, ability to communicate complex information clearly, and work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Prior experience with Machine Learning model implementation is desirable.

Benefits we offer:

Annual leave based on full entitlement of 46 days, pension contribution of 17.6 – 26% (depending on circumstances) and a number of other staff benefits. For more information about our wide range of benefits, click here.

Additional information:

Hours: 17.5 hours per week

Contract: Fixed-Term – 12 months or until 31 January 2026

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role on the Skilled Worker visa route. International applicants will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

The University holds Disability Confident, Carer Positive and Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion status. More details can be found here. We are a flexible Employer.

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