JOB DESCRIPTION
Professor Lazaros Papageorgiou (UCL Chemical Engineering) and Dr Paolo Agnolucci (UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources) are looking for a skilled postdoctoral researcher with ample experience in supply chain systems and optimisation methods, to work on a project to assess the potential value of hydrogen supply infrastructure as well identify the optimum deployment of infrastructure across the UK, as part of a grant funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The main role of the postholder will be to carry out research the areas of hydrogen supply chain systems and optimisation so as to assess the potential value of hydrogen to the UK as part of a transition to a low carbon economy.
This post will be funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) that will harness the synergy between world-leading scientists from prestigious institutions: University College London (UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources, Energy Institute, and Chemical Engineering), Edinburgh and Reading. The Department of Chemical Engineering at UCL has a central role in tackling the global energy challenge by developing alternative and renewable energy technologies spanning a number of topics in energy systems.
It will be required that the postholder will interact very closely with the researchers in the other participating universities and write up results in international journals and present at conferences. The post holder will be expected to assist in the management of the project at UCL.
The post is funded for for 21 months in the first instance and is available now.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- To develop a spatially-explicit infrastructure planning model for the UK hydrogen supply system.
- To investigate incorporation of new features to this model including hydrogen pipelines.
- To adopt a finer temporal disaggregation to link with the electrolysis parts of the network.
- To extend above models to account for uncertainty.
- To plan and execute options analysis of hydrogen supply infrastructure to account for and manage risk under different scenarios (including use of hydrogen only for transport, or use if for both transport and heat).
- Plan and prepare papers from own and related research to appropriate peer reviewed journals, international conferences and research seminars.
- Collaborate with other PDRA and PhD student team members for exchange of knowledge, best practice, as well as to carry out coordinated pieces of research.
- Be responsible for producing regular progress reports for presentation to the project management group.
- Prepare progress reports on research for funding body as required.
- Contribute to the preparation and drafting of research bids and proposals.
- Undertake a limited amount of teaching in relation to subject area.
- Contribute to the induction and direction of other research staff and supervision of PhD students as requested.
- The postholder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies.
- The postholder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.
As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the postholder.
The postholder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager or Head of Department/Division.
To submit your application for this position, please click on the "Apply through website" button, and search for reference number 1440925.
Please attach to your online application, a current CV including research experience and a scientific publications list with the contact details of two referees.
If you have any queries about the vacancy, please contact Prof Lazaros Papageorgiou, l.papageorgiou@ucl.ac.uk, or Dr Paolo Agnolucci p.agnolucci@ucl.ac.uk
DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Knowledge - including qualifications:
Essential
- A PhD in Engineering with advanced understanding of hydrogen systems, energy supply chains, mathematical programming, and computational model-based techniques for optimisation is required.
- The applicant must either have already completed a doctorate, or have submitted his or her thesis prior to taking up the post.
Skills:
Essential
- Advanced research skills in the subject areas described above.
- Ability to analyse, develop and solve mathematical/computational models.
- Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary collaborative and teamwork environment.
Experience:
Essential
- Experience of working in a research environment.
- Publications as first or last author in internationally refereed journals.
- Experience with modelling/optimisation packages (e.g. GAMS).
Desirable
- Experience of multi-disciplinary working.
- Experience with energy systems models (e.g. UK TIMES).
Personal Qualities:
Essential
- Commitment to high quality research.
- Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team.
- Willingness to learn new methods.
- Commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity and the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds.