Postdoctoral / Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in Energy Engineering

Job Description

Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductors, photonics, energy and deep-tech research and innovation. As a leading collaborative European research institute, Tyndall is a key actor and hosting partner in the delivery of the 'Chips for Europe Initiative' (EU Chips Act).

Tyndall is Ireland's leading research and innovation organisation, and it is the national focal point for excellence in deep-tech research, development and graduate training at the convergence of nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, electronics and AI. Tyndall is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductor, chip and digital technologies, particularly as applied to the fields of Information & Communications, Health & Life Sciences, Agritech & Food Security, Energy and Climate Mitigation, emerging fields such as quantum, and novel computing paradigms.

The Institute's key objective is to see frontier research activities having a significant impact on economic development and societal challenges in Ireland, Europe and beyond. Central to Tyndall's mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence in partnership with industry and academia. With an annual turnover of more than ???50m, the Institute has a community of over 600 researchers, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, interns and industry researchers-in-residence.

With significant committed Irish government support, Tyndall will grow to be 1,000 people by 2030, with approximately 750 researchers, including 250 PhD students. A new 17,000 m2 research building is under development adjacent to the Cork headquarters and there are developing plans to expand Tyndall's existing Dublin research labs and to establish other research sites within Ireland.

Tyndall's expansion is also supported by recent national and EU funding wins for significant (M???10's) additional research equipment across a range of areas such as semiconductor processing, microscopy, quantum technologies, heterogeneous integration, ultra-high speed optical communications and RF through THz characterisation.

About the IERC

Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, in response to Climate Change, will require radical changes to the energy, transport and heating systems and policies on which much of our modern society is built. The International Energy Research Centre (IERC) at Tyndall National Institute addresses these changes by conducting research to identify, develop, and integrate emerging technologies, in the context of evolving energy policy, infrastructure planning and societal needs and requirements, that support the decarbonisation of the energy system.

Purpose of the role

Working closely with researchers in the IERC, the role will focus on leading the technical and methodological integration between two major initiatives focused on addressing energy poverty. The successful candidate will oversee the development of a federated database and data-driven toolset for identifying energy poverty, while simultaneously managing the co-design of a framework for vulnerability specifically tailored for groups most at risk of energy poverty. This role is pivotal in ensuring that advanced data analytics and machine learning models are effectively translated into actionable, community-led policy tools.

IERC seeks applicants with the desire to be at the forefront of developing the disruptive and transformative energy technologies and concepts that will accelerate decarbonisation towards net zero.
All IERC staff members are expected to understand academic and industrial requirements, together with a sound understanding of the wider energy landscape beyond their area of expertise.

The successful candidate would also be expected to participate in IERC's research activities, contribute to the bid and proposal activity for new funding and engage in a variety of internal and external facing activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Integrated Research Leadership: Lead the delivery of technical tasks and Work Packages across two core energy poverty research initiatives, ensuring synergy between data collection, analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Framework Development: Oversee the development and application of a framework to develop intersectional vulnerability indices.
• Data Strategy: Provide technical guidance on the integration of multi-dimensional data - including but not limited to socio-economic indicators and energy commodities prices - into a federated infrastructure.
• Mentorship: Act as the day-to-day technical supervisor for PhD students assigned to these initiatives, ensuring their research aligns with broader project milestones.
• Stakeholder & Grant Management: Initiate and take ownership of research grant proposals (e.g., SEAI, EU Horizon) and manage relationships with external community and industry partners.
• Policy Impact: Translate complex data findings into energy poverty actionable policy recommendations to be presented to national funding and regulatory bodies.
• Support Research: Carry out administrative work to assist the programme of research as necessary.
• Safety and Quality Excellence: Initiate, enforce and comply with UCC and Tyndall's health and safety and quality policies.
• Additional Duties:
  • Participate in education and public outreach engagement activities, as required.
  • Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

• Academic Qualification: A PhD in Energy Engineering, Data Science, Social Sciences with a strong quantitative focus, or a related multidisciplinary field.
• Research Expertise: Proven track record in at least two of the following: energy systems modelling, social science research methodologies, or advanced data analytics/machine learning.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated experience using data modelling, coding & tools (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB, or GIS software), Machine Learning, AI, and energy system simulation tools.
• Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to bridge the gap between technical data engineering and community-focused advocacy - with proven track record of research publications
• Evidence of high levels of initiative and self-starter.
• Flexibility to travel.
• Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Project Management: Previous experience in managing complex research projects involving multiple external stakeholders and national partners, report writing and other supporting activities.
• Methodological Knowledge: Familiarity with co-design principles and tools for project management and improvement (e.g., DMAIC process).
• Interdisciplinary Experience: Experience working at the intersection of energy technology and social justice or energy poverty mitigation.
• Student Supervision: Previous experience in the day-to-day technical supervision of postgraduate (master's or PhD) students.
• Public Engagement: A history of presentations at international conferences and evidence of public engagement or outreach activities.
• Presentation Experience: Previous experiences in presenting research outcomes in conferences, workshops and related events.
• Industry Engagement: Evidence of professional experience working with industry and demonstrating an understanding of industry needs.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.

What we offer

• Interdisciplinary Environment: Where academia, industry, and innovation intersect - supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and expert knowledge.
• Blended Working: Flexibility to work remotely and on-site, where the role allows.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Access to UCC pension, long-term illness benefit, life assurance, and more.
• Generous Leave: Competitive annual leave entitlements.
• Equity & Inclusion: Athena Swan Bronze award holder, with ongoing initiatives led by a dedicated People and Culture team to ensure equity for all.
• Core Values: A culture grounded in Ambition, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A proactive, innovation-driven environment that welcomes entrepreneurial and creative thinkers, including those with start-up experience.
• Supportive Onboarding: Structured induction and mentoring to help new hires integrate and thrive.
• Vibrant Culture: A collaborative, people-first workplace with a strong sense of community.
• The opportunity to advance world-leading ICT research in medical device connectivity while shaping its commercial future.
• Access to mentoring, entrepreneurial training, and professional development through the ARC Hub for ICT programme.
• Training in entrepreneurship, IP management, and venture creation.
• Support from UCC's technology transfer team and Tyndall's commercialisation infrastructure.
• Collaboration with leading medical device manufacturers and access to real-world deployment environments.

Terms of Employment

Contract Category: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: Approximately 2 years

Appointment may be made, dependent on experience, on the Post-Doctorate Researcher Scale, with a salary range of ???46,805 - ???53,391 or the Senior Post-Doctorate Researcher Scale with a salary range of ???54,850 - ???59,654. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Fábio Silva.