Environmental and Energy Researcher

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of “Digital Systems & Services” - supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.

The Sustainability Laboratory (SUSL), is part of Hitachi’s European R&D (ERD) centre, located in central London. The SUSL team has an important role in leading Hitachi’s activities as climate change innovators. The primary objective for SUSL is to create new technologies across energy (power systems, renewables, batteries) and sustainability (carbon management, net-zero pathways, circular economy) to enable digital and physical solutions.

As part of Hitachi ERDs wider global R&D Group, the SUSL team also works closely with other global laboratories, such as our research partners in Japan and India or with Hitachi business units, such as our energy or digital products.

What you’ll be doing

We have an exciting new opportunity for an Energy Researcher working in the area of grid edge technologies.

The value chain of the energy sector faces key challenges in the transition to net zero, such as increased electrification, decentralised grids and stability requirements. The aim of our research is to address some of society’s biggest challenges; addressing the disruptive impact of renewable energy generation, ensuring energy security and decarbonising the energy mix whilst meeting increasing demand. The purpose of the role is to contribute to the development of future products and scalable technology solutions that meet these challenges.

The role will cover a broad understanding of the energy system with a particular focus on energy grid edge solutions.

Research projects will typically involve various stages - from creation, through development of testing and analysis to delivery of a minimal viable product. The successful candidate will be working collaboratively with both internal and external global stakeholders and therefore demonstrable experience of working in diverse teams with strong interpersonal skills will be beneficial. The candidate should also embrace working across a range of diverse projects such as smart/intelligent energy, mobility, carbon finance, circular economy and battery storage etc.

Hitachi also runs a collaborative research centre with Imperial College London. The Centre for Decarbonisation and Natural Climate Solutions runs a series of research projects related to decarbonisation, pathways to net zero emissions, biodiversity and carbon capture. The role would involve engaging with the project teams in Hitachi and Imperial to ensure delivery and communication of the research.

The successful candidate will need to be highly motivated with a strong technical background and entrepreneurial mindset, coupled with a demonstrable appetite for creativity, critical thinking and team-working.

• Work collaboratively with other researchers to investigate and develop technologies and business opportunities through the analysis of energy trends, along with societal and technological issues.
• Primary focus on the European energy sector and to also include research associated with energy markets, distribution level and grid edge solutions and carbon management.
• Critically analyse the policy, technology, commercial and research activities, mainly within a UK and wider-European context, to identify areas for business opportunities and technology solutions (considering the business, societal, customer and technical dimensions); discuss and develop them with colleagues, and structure the development and deployment taking into account internal and external partnerships.
• Build and maintain strong connections with colleagues of Hitachi R&D in Japan, including traveling to Japan when required. Present the results of the activities within Hitachi R&D as well as in conference and Journal publications.
• Building and maintaining collaborative working relationships with Imperial College, including analysis of research outcomes, coordinating project teams and contributing to identifying future research topics.
• Continual knowledge development by attending industry conferences and building a productive stakeholder network both within Hitachi and externally. Share and discuss the EU output and trends with Hitachi R&D group globally.
• Propose and develop business led research projects to bid for internal and external funding.

What you bring to the team

We’re looking for a team player, who is motivated by delivering great work and the Hitachi vision. The role will be a mixture of remote-hybrid work with occasional visits at Hitachi Office (125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ)

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and background:

Essential

• Experience or understanding/awareness of the following: electricity market in the UK, power grid systems, carbon management reporting.
• Strong academic/research background with a Master’s degree (or higher e.g. PhD) in engineering or science, with applicable industrial experience (3+ years) is essential.
• Experience of both self-directed project delivery and working within a team environment.
• Understanding of the commercial implications and opportunities associated with the transition to net zero.

Preferred

• Experience of working in a research or consultancy environment.
• Experience of operating within a large matrix organisation; strong negotiation, presentation and relationship skills.
• Passion for contributing towards finding new business solutions related to the transition to net zero.
• Software knowledge and experience such as Python and MATLAB/Simulink.
• Mathematical optimization knowledge from the viewpoint of energy management in grid or consumer site.
• Interest and ability to work in a multi-international environment.

Benefits Package

Along with a market competitive salary and discretionary bonus scheme, employees have the option to work flexibly in line with our hybrid working model and we would be happy to discuss this with you during the hiring process.

Company Funded Benefits

• Generous holiday entitlement - with the option to buy up to an additional 5 days per year
• A Holiday Banking scheme allowing you to bank untaken holiday to use another year
• Group Personal Pension
• Private Medical Insurance with self-funded option to cover family members
• Employee Assistance Programme available to all employees
• Personal Accident Insurance

Voluntary Benefits (funded by employee) including;

• Cycle To Work scheme
• Gym Membership
• Dental Insurance with option to include dependent children
• Health screening
• Dining card

Our Values

We are proud to say we are an equal opportunity employer and welcome all applicants for employment without attention to any factor that doesn’t impact your ability to do the job, including race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We are proud of Japanese heritage, with our values expressed through the Hitachi Spirit:

Wa – Harmony, Trust, Respect

Makoto – Sincerity, Fairness, Honesty, Integrity

Kaitakusha-Seishin – Pioneering Spirit, Challenge