Job Opportunities

BMA-17 IERC Research Assistant Software

BMA-17 IERC Research Assistant Software

Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term (Specified Purpose)

The International Energy Research Centre (IERC), hosted at Tyndall National Institute (TNI) is recruiting for the role of research assistant with a focus on software development for the Software for Innovative Energy Research Application (SIERRA) team. The role will work on projects both internally and externally funded, therefore, the optimal candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.  An honours degree in computer science, software development, or related discipline is a must.  An MSc is preferred.  The research assistant role will work under the direction of the Senior Researcher on the SIERRA team on one or more research projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Work under the direction of the SIERRA team lead.
• Provide assistance in conducting research activities, including planning, organizing, conducting, and communicating research studies within the overall scope of an IERC research project.
• Develop software tools and applications that support energy research applications.
• Contribute to the development and deployment of data analytics applications.
• Assist in the software development process including user requirements, implementation and testing.
• Contribute to report writing for project updates to relevant industry stakeholders.
• Contribute to the publication of project outcomes.
• Work with Senior Researchers in developing plans for future research projects.
• Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
• Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system.
• Ensure all activities are compliant with the required Health and Safety standards.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
• Perform other related duties as necessary to the work of the IERC.

Essential Criteria

• An honours degree in Computer Science, Software Development, or related discipline.
• Strong, demonstrable experience with two or more of the following: PHP, JavaScript, Python, Java and JSP, Swift, and MySQL.
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle models.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to a tight schedule.
• Demonstrated capability of working effectively within a team to achieve results.
• Evidence of excellent organisational and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

• An MSc in Computer Science, Software Development, or related discipline.
• At least 1 year previous research experience.
• At least 1 year previous experience working in an Agile development environment.
• At least 1 year previous experience with software testing and software quality assurance.
• Demonstrated data and statistical analysis skills.
• Evidence of high levels of initiative.
• Experience in any of the following areas would be of beneficial: Version Control (Git), Windows Server 2012 / Apache Web Server, phpMyAdmin, Bootstrap, JSON, NoSQL, Project Management, software testing / debugging tools, MEAN / MERN, App Development (iOS / Android).

This is a full-time, specified purpose position with the IERC, starting at appointment and tied to available funding.  The IERC is an equal opportunity employer supporting a collaborative and creative working environment.

This position may be appointed on the IUA Scales for Research Assistants €21,890-€34,612.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Beth Massey at beth.massey@tyndall.ie. Further information on the Department is available at www.ierc.ie.

Application Instructions

Step 1 – click here to download and complete the Application form

Step 2 – return the completed application form, together with your CV and motivation letter to careers@tyndall.ie.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.

Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

BMA-9 Researcher – Electrical Energy Storage – IERC

The International Energy Research Centre (IERC), hosted at Tyndall National Institute, invites applications for the position of Researcher in the thematic area of Embedded and Distributed Generation Systems.

The IERC is a translational research centre focused on delivering demand side energy efficiency through the development of integrated, systems level solutions.  IERC research projects bring together value chains of Industry Partners (Energy Service Companies, Technology Integrators, Facilities Management Companies, ICT and Telecoms Companies, etc.), with leading Research Institutions to deliver innovative and commercially relevant solutions to the Energy Sector.  The Centre is currently developing new activity under the strategic thematic areas of Low Carbon Heating and Cooling, Energy Efficiency and Analytics and Distributed Generation Systems.

The IERC core research team includes researchers and senior researchers, who report to the Head of Research and conduct specified pieces of research, as directed by the IERC Steering Committee.

The role of researcher is mainly, but not exclusively, to carry out Innovation Needs Assessments (INAs) and strategic research planning activities in order to define research objectives and research output specifications. They will act as translators of both industry needs and academic research objectives in order to bring about highly structured and well defined research projects.

The Researcher – Electrical Energy Storage role will conduct research on electrical energy storage systems and their applications in the thematic area of Embedded and Distributed Generation Systems to support the IERC in its development and implementation of its industry led research project portfolio.

IERC Researchers are expected to participate in the definition and execution of fully collaborative projects, particularly where special expertise can make a direct contribution and generally for quality control purposes.  Researchers are expected to have both academic and industry experience, together with a sound understanding of the wider energy landscape beyond their area of expertise. All researchers will be expected to initiate and contribute to writing of proposals for EU and other external funding streams.

Key Responsibilities

• To support the specification of research and analytical projects that require professional input from a power systems and electricity market perspective
• To monitor, analyse and forecast developments in national and international energy storage markets and industry in the short and medium term, with particular focus on the energy demand side
• To collaborate with IERC member organisations, the energy industry and research performing organisations in the analysis of the impact of the renewables market developments on the Irish and EU economies
• To conduct analysis on research topics, on areas including energy demand and security, with the objective of contributing to Innovation Needs Assessments and collaborative research projects
• To anticipate and contribute to qualitative and quantitative analysis of topical issues confronting the IERC, highlighting innovation opportunities
• To contribute to and potentially lead in grant proposal writing including technical, management and financial volumes for EU and other funding streams
• To carry out administrative work to support the programme of research
• To carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post

Essential Criteria 

• PhD in Electrical/Electronic Engineering/Power Electronics or in relevant field
• At least 1 year post-doc experience in power electronics converter design and control for electrical energy storage systems in distributed generation network
• At least 1 year hardware experience on converters design, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), prototype development or any real-time controlling platform in the relevant areas
• At least 1 year user experience with design and modelling tools: Matlab SPS/PSIM/PSCAD or other electrical and power electronics simulation tools
• Strong understanding of the distributed energy storage systems (system integration, central and distributed control, grid application)
• Demonstrable experience in quantitative data analysis and in developing analytical methodologies and energy models, and their use for policymaking.

Desired Criteria 

• Strong preference for a primary degree/masters in electrical engineering
• Experience leading and managing projects, preferably in working collaboratively with industry
• Highly self-motivated and able to demonstrate initiative
• Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills

Appointment may be made on the IUA Researcher Scale €36,853 – €43,828.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Beth Massey, email beth.massey@tyndall.ie.

Further information on the Department is available at http://www.ierc.ie/.

Application Instructions

Step 1-  click here to download and complete the application form

Step 2 – return completed application form, together with your CV and motivation letter to careers@tyndall.ie.  Handwritten forms will not be accepted.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.

Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.