Post-doctoral Research Associate/Fellow: Practical Methods for Spatial Energy System Planning (799348)

FTE:   1 (35 hours/week)

Term: Fixed Term (18 months)

Closing date: 30/03/2026

Realisation of a resilient low carbon energy system at least cost depends on where energy conversion facilities such as electricity generation or hydrogen manufacture are developed to make use of different resources and on the development of shared infrastructure to enable energy users’ access to those resources. However, it also depends on physical facilities being specified and built in such a way as to respect natural environments and local communities’ priorities for landscapes.

Together, these objectives add up to a complex and challenging optimisation problem encompassing how to prioritise new investment in clean energy production and transmission infrastructure to meet growing demand for electricity as part of satisfying legislated carbon budgets at lowest cost whilst respecting constraints on land use and taking account of natural capital.

A project being undertaken by an inter-disciplinary team through the UK Energy Research Centre’s research theme on “Delivering Energy Infrastructure” postulates that fast, clear signalling of energy system options and development needs and facilitation of understanding of the impacts of uncertainty can be achieved by novel, scalable modelling that is approximate but nevertheless takes account of a wide range of factors. Moreover, it builds on prior work by the contributing teams: energy system modelling at University of Strathclyde, and modelling of natural capital and ecosystem services at University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Lab.

A Post-Doctoral Research Fellow or Associate is sought to join the research team at University of Strathclyde led by the holder of the Scottish Power Chair in Future Power Systems, Prof Keith Bell, and lead the development of new energy system investment modelling and integration of collaborators’ approaches to representation of natural capital. 

The Research Fellow or Assistant will join one of the UK’s leading electrical energy and power systems research groups, part of an internationally recognised department at Strathclyde that has both strong links with industry, government and regulators, and excellent academic credentials. This position therefore offers not only the freedom to express curiosity and generate and share knowledge in an academic research career but also the opportunity to make a difference to industrial practice and policy and to further the energy transition in a material way.

Formal interviews for this post will be held In April 2026

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Prof Keith Bell, Scottish Power Professor of Future Power Systems (keith.bell@strath.ac.uk).

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