Post-Doctoral Researcher opportunity: Energy Systems Modelling

Applications are invited for the post of Post-Doctoral Researcher in Energy Systems Modelling to join the MaREI Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, based at the Energy Policy and Modelling Group (EPMG) in UCC. The researcher will develop global power system models using the PLEXOS Software consistent with the Paris Climate Agreement. 
Governments and policymakers set decarbonisation targets based on outputs from climate science informed by Integrated Energy Assessment Models. These outcomes influence climate ambition and shape pathways and investment strategies for companies and industry in the decarbonisation of energy systems. A challenge with Integrated Assessment Models is their limited ability to consider variable renewables across both time and space leading to poorly informed insights. This weakness can be overcome by linking to  power system models as it allows a unique and deep exploration of temporal and spatial resolution which produces improved outcomes.

The successful applicant will be based in UCC’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI), which is an internationally-recognised institute for environmental research dedicated to the understanding and protection of our natural environment and to developing innovative technologies, tools and services to facilitate a transformation to a zero-carbon and resource-efficient society. Overlooking a protected natural reserve and the River Lee, the ERI is a welcoming, diverse and modern workplace.

MaREI is a key research centre within UCC’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI), which is an internationally recognised Institute for environmental research dedicated to the understanding and protection of our natural environment and to developing innovative technologies, tools and services to facilitate a transformation to a zero carbon and resource efficient society. The MaREI Centre is an SFI funded research centre headquartered in the ERI and includes 13 other Universities and Third Level Institutes from across Ireland, has 50 industrial partners and has accumulated research funding of approximately €60m.

It combines the expertise of a wide range of research groups and industry partners, with the shared mission of solving the main scientific, technical and socio-economic challenges across the climate, energy and marine spaces.  MaREI is also funded by SEAI, EI, EPA, ERDF, EU, HEA, Marine Institute, DCCAE and IRC, as well as through contributions from our industry partners. Researchers in the MaREI Centre have over 30 years of experience in conducting fundamental and applied research supported by competitively won national and international funding, and commercial contracts with government agencies and industry. MaREI’s strengths lie in the multi-disciplinary nature of its research teams, allowing it to combine insights across areas such as MRE Technologies, Materials & Structures, Observations & Operations, Coastal & Marine Systems, Bioenergy, Energy Policy & Modelling and Renewable Energy Management.

MaREI’s Energy Policy and Modelling Group (EPMG) in UCC has been engaged in energy policy and energy modelling research for 20 years. The results of this research have been published in over 200 journal papers, conference proceedings and reports and have directly informed the development of national energy and climate mitigation policy. The focus of research in the Energy Policy and Modelling Group is on integrated energy systems modelling comprising i) sectoral energy demand and efficiency, ii) integrated electricity, gas and water modelling and iii) full energy systems modelling. EPMG is led by Prof. Brian Ó Gallachóir, Chair of the Executive Committee of the IEA Technology  Collaboration Programme on energy systems modelling (IEA-ETSAP).