Research Assistant/Associate/Senior RA in Design of Active Power Distribution Systems

Salary:

Research Assistant: £32,296 - £33,882 per annum

Research Associate: £34,866 - £45,163 per annum

Senior Research Associate: £46,485 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 09 December 2024

The Role

We are looking to recruit a Researcher to work on the Design of Active Electrical Power Distribution Systems. The successful candidates’ researcher ‘level’ (as Assistant, Associate, or Senior Associate) will depend on qualifications and experience - we welcome applications from researchers who are close to completion of their PhD or candidates who have completed their PhD and already have experience in academia or industry.

To enable the societal shift to a net zero economy, electrical power systems are rapidly decarbonizing supply whilst electrifying carbon-intensive demand. There is therefore an acceleration in the connection of low carbon technologies (LCTs, such as solar PV, electric vehicles, heat pumps or energy storage) to distribution networks. New active technologies that provide flexibility, such as network operator-owned power electronic devices (PEDs), promise to provide the necessary additional capacity to enable those LCTs whilst reducing bills for customers whilst improving resilience.

In this role, you will contribute to Newcastle University’s efforts to address this challenge by developing an active network Design Tool for low voltage distribution networks. This tool will be developed as a key component of the flagship D-Suite project led by UK utility SP Energy Networks. Working as a part of Newcastle’s Power Systems research group and supported by the Research Software Engineering team, you will develop an analytic workflow to design active electrical power distribution systems that integrate network operator-owned active PEDs. This workflow will automate selection from several PEDs for a given low voltage distribution network, then determine the optimal siting and sizing of those devices to maximize societal benefits. As a key innovative component of D-Suite, this open-source tool will achieve wide industry visibility, and will be formally evaluated by other UK network operators as part of the D-Suite project.

Your core responsibilities will also involve contributing the broader research activities on power electronics-based power systems within the Electrical Power group. In particular, you will contribute to the Supergen Energy Networks hub, in which you will have opportunity to work across a network of nearly fifty renowned organizations internationally, including GB’s National Energy System Operator (NESO), Siemens, Northern Powergrid, and the Energy Systems Catapult. Other collaboration and research opportunities will be available, such as through the Centre for Energy.

Given the role’s focus, we are particularly interested in working with researchers who are looking to undertake research in collaboration with industry. We aim to use new and innovative methods to solve real-world problems whilst delivering significant academic contributions.

The post is full time, fixed term for 24 months. You will be based in the newly renovated Stephenson building. We aim to hold interviews in mid -December. A start date as close to January 2025 is preferred although a later start can be discussed.

To apply, please upload a CV (academic style, no page limit) and a cover letter (1 or 2 pages A4). These should detail how your experience meets the requirements outlined in the job description and your interest in the role.

For more information or informal enquiries, please contact Dr Matthew Deakin, matthew.deakin@newcastle.ac.uk.

The successful applicant may be eligible for a Global Talent Visa under the Endorsed Funder Route, the University will support you with this application. The University provides a Visa Reimbursement Policy which allows Global Talent Visa applicants to reclaim the cost of their visa application fee, along with any accompanying dependants. The University also provides an Interest Free Loan scheme to support colleagues with visa-related costs not covered under the reimbursement policy – further information is available here.

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant / Research Associate

• Support development and documentation of Python-based Design Tool workflow for D-Suite Project
• Formulate and solve optimization problems, developing algorithms which have appropriate accuracy, precision, and speed
• Write up and present results from own research activity and provide input into the project’s dissemination (technical reports, conference and journal papers in appropriate outlets)
• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the projects
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes

Senior Research Associate

• Take leading role in development of Python-based Design Tool workflow for D-Suite Project
• Lead presentation of development and results to industry partners
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Research Assistant, Research Associate

• Experience of formulating optimization problems and solving using appropriate methods
• Understanding of the potential use-cases of network operator-owned active power electronics solutions, such as soft open points, STATCOMs, and hybrid transformers
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences with clarity
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications

Desirable

• At Research Assistant or Research Associate level, the required and desirable criteria mentioned at Senior Research Associate level (below) are also desirable (but it is not expected for candidates applying at these levels to have experience in those criteria)

In addition, for Senior Research Associate

• Knowledge of the structure of power distribution networks and the impact of LCTs on network capacity
• Strong skills in implementing mixed-integer, conic or nonlinear programming and modelling frameworks (JuMP, Pyomo, Yalmip, GAMS, etc)
• Experience with OpenDSS or other unbalanced distribution system analysis software tools (e.g., Cyme, Gridlab-D, PowerModelsDistribution.jl)
• Experience working with Distribution Network Operators or Utilities on research, innovation or consulting projects
• Track record of publication in journals, indicating research with international significance

Desirable

• Substantial experience working with Python and Object-Oriented Programming
• Experience with Git version control, particularly with Github
• Experience writing industry-facing technical reports
• Experience conducting Cost-Benefit Analysis or related techno-economic analyses methods
• Ability to prepare funding bids and proposals to support new research/business opportunities
• Evidence of research independence
• Ability to provide leadership to small research teams and potential to mentor junior research staff
• Experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate student projects

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a research team
• Ability to communicate work to a range of audiences, including researchers, engineers, and the general public
• Ability to prioritise competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of and commitment to good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity (EDI) in line with Newcastle University’s EDI principles

Qualifications

Research Assistant

• First degree in engineering or numerate subject (e.g., mathematics, physical sciences, computer science)
• PhD close to completion in field of Power Systems, Smart Grids, Power Electronics and Control, or related discipline (upon PhD completion, will transition to Research Associate)

In addition for Research Associate, Senior Research Associate

• PhD awarded in field of Power Systems, Smart Grids, Power Electronics and Control, or related discipline

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 27768

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