Dear all,

 

The link to the online recruitment site in my email below advertising this position might not work – if you have problems with it, please try https://recruitment.durham.ac.uk/, or the link in the left sidebar at https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/.

 

Best regards,
Chris

 

 

 

Dear all,

 

The School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, in association with Durham Energy Institute, is to appoint a postdoctoral research associate to work on three Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council-funded projects:

 

“The Autonomic Power System”, see http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/I031650/1. This work forms part of a larger consortium project on highly decentralised control of future power systems. The Durham RA resource will collaborate with PhD students in their work on distributed control and network planning under uncertainty, and develop collaboration with engineers and economists at other institutions within the consortium. In particular there will be opportunities to work with statisticians and decision analysts at Durham, and experts in distributed control/optimisation at partner universities.

 

“Energy Storage for Low Carbon Grids”, see http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/K002252/1. This work forms part of a consortium project on emerging energy storage technologies and their integration into the electricity system. The Durham RA will develop technology specific models of battery storage devices, considering effects such as hysteresis and degradation, for use in power system optimisation and control models. This will involve collaboration with battery technology experts at Imperial College London.

 

“Development and Evaluation of Sustainable Technologies for Flexible Operation of Conventional Power Plants”, see http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/K02115X/1. This work forms part of a Durham-led consortium studying flexible conventional generating plant technologies for systems with much increased variable generation (VG) penetrations. This Durham RA resource will use simulation studies to study the operation of flexible plant within the power system – possible topics for research include: consideration of how insights into future plant technologies arising elsewhere in the consortium will influence its projected performance in the system; analysis of how with a high VG capacity increased cycling of conventional plant may decrease its mechanical reliability, and the consequences of this for whole system reliability; and uncertainty quantification with respect to the outputs of operational planning models.

 

We are seeking an enthusiastic researcher with either a background in energy systems analysis with specialist mathematical/statistical knowledge, or a background in mathematical sciences with the necessary energy systems knowledge. The Durham activity is led by Dr. Chris Dent (Senior Lecturer in Energy Systems Modelling) with assistance from Dr. Behzad Kazemtabrizi (Lecturer in Electrical Engineering), Dr. Mahmoud Shahbazi (Research Fellow in Electrical Engineering), and colleagues working in Mathematical Sciences.

 

This post requires well developed research, dissemination and interpersonal skills. The emphasis is on independence and creativity in solving advanced research problems, and there is flexibility to determine the precise direction of research to suit the successful candidate’s interests and specialist skills.

 

The post is externally funded, fixed term, for 25.5 months on the basis of appointment at the bottom of Grade 7 (£31,656) provided that the successful candidate starts before 15 May 2016. In the event that appointment is made at a higher salary, or the start date is later, then the term of the appointment will reduce in length in accordance with the available funding.

 

We expect that interviews will be held on Wednesday 27 April, and ask candidates to maintain availability for that date. Informal inquiries should be directed to Dr. Chris Dent ([log in to unmask]) – in particular, please let me know if you would like to discuss whether your background would be suitable for the role given the unusual circumstances of our being able to consider strong candidates from both energy systems and mathematical science backgrounds.

 

Full details including the person specification and how to apply may be found at https://recruitment.durham.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_search_version_4.search_form (search for vacancy 001625). Applications should describe how the candidate matches the person specification.

 

Best regards,
Chris