Research Associate in Net-Zero Energy Systems
21043BR
Welsh School of Architecture
Research
Advert
Research Associate in Net-Zero Energy Systems
The Welsh School of Architecture (WSA) is seeking to appoint a Research Associate in Net-Zero Energy Systems to support a multi-disciplinary team working on the integration of renewable energy and storage technologies at both household and neighbourhood scale.
You will contribute to a collaborative project funded by the Place-Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) through UKRI EPSRC focused on evaluating and optimising decentralised energy systems using real-world monitored data from 65 low-carbon homes in Swansea. The project aims to inform scalable, cost-effective, and carbon-reducing energy strategies for housing authorities and energy stakeholders in the Swansea Bay City Region.
The postholder will be based on-campus at Cardiff University and will work closely with colleagues from the School of Engineering, as well as external partners including Swansea Council and organisations in the housing, renewable energy, and network infrastructure sectors. Regular travel to Swansea and other UK locations will be required for workshops, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination events.
Limited hybrid working may be considered.
For informal enquiries about the post, please contact Dr Emmanouil Perisoglou (Principal Investigator) at PerisoglouE@cardiff.ac.uk or Dr Juan Fernandez Goycoolea (Co-Investigator) at FernandezGoycooleaJP@cardiff.ac.uk or Lucy Forrester (HR Advisor) at ForresterL@cardiff.ac.uk
This post is full-time and fixed term for 12 months and your contract will end no later than 31 December 2026.
The anticipated start date is 1 January 2026.
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6).
Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale.
Date advert posted: Friday, 9 January 2026
Closing date: Sunday, 25 January 2026
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Job Description
To conduct research on renewable energy integration and storage systems for net-zero neighbourhoods and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Research
• To conduct research on dwelling-level and neighbourhood-scale renewable energy and storage systems using real-world monitored data. To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable high-quality outputs including including bidding for funding, reports, publishing in national academic journals, public facing guidance and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field and develop dynamic simulation models to evaluate cost and carbon benefits under time-variable tariffs and grid constraints; and also, to conduct optimisation of decentralised energy systems in collaboration with the School of Engineering.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required; this includes coordinating and participating in workshops and dissemination events across the Swansea Bay City Region.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate data management and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
Other
• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in Architecture, Engineering, Energy Systems, or related discipline. or relevant industrial experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the research fields of building energy systems modelling, renewable energy systems and power system modelling.
3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field of renewable energy integration and battery storage systems at building or/and community scale.
4. Ability to develop and validate dynamic simulation models at building and neighbourhood scale. By using appropriate tools such as ESSM, PVSyst, and MatLab SimuLink.
5. Proven ability to publish in national/international conferences and/or other research outputs.
6. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.
Communication and Team Working
7. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
8. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.
Other
9. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
10. Proven ability to work without close supervision.
Desirable Criteria
11. Experience with software such as City Energy Analyst, IES, DesignBuilder -EnergyPlus, IPSA, Pandapower or equivalent.
12. Evidence of collaborations with industry or/and local authorities.
13. Familiarity with UK housing retrofit and energy policy frameworks.
14. Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
15. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.
Additional Information
The Welsh School of Architecture
The Welsh School of Architecture (WSA) is consistently ranked amongst the top schools of architecture in UK and worldwide league tables: 3rd in the UK (The Times UK University rankings 2025), 6th in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026) and within the top 100 of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Rankings for 2026.
The WSA also had 90% of its research impact judged as outstanding (4*) in the 2014 REF (Research Excellence Framework). This placed us at the top of the table for impact in the assessment panel for Architecture, Built Environment and Planning.
Our research underpins the BSc and MArch degree programmes as well as the specialisms we teach through advanced Masters programmes that cater to graduates across the broad spectrum of built environment professions. We set high standards for our students and expect great things from them, this is why we stand by the quality of our graduates and are proud of what they achieve.
The distinctiveness of this School lies in its tradition of combining creativity with the understanding needed to realise designs through practice, its reputation for high quality research, the calibre of its staff and in its unique location in a friendly, liveable and affordable capital city that is a gateway to the stunning landscape of Wales.
Salary Range Min.41,064
Salary Range Max.
46,049
Job CategoryAcademic - Research
Grade
Grade 6
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