Industrial Secondment: Smart Power Renewables
********************Deadline Passed********************
C-DICE is delighted to to offer a fantastic opportunity for a three-month secondment (with the possibility of an extension) for postdoctoral researchers with global technology leaders in microgrids, Smart Power Systems. The postdoctoral researcher seconded to this project will benefit from real time, hands-on experience working with experts in the renewable energy field, control programming projects. The secondee will gain work experience at the cutting edge of innovation in microgrids and V2G, as well as collaboration opportunities across research and commercial environments, developing valuable business development skills.
This project will be ideal for a postdoctoral researcher in software and product development with expertise in renewable energy.
About Smart Power Systems
Smart Power Systems (SPS) are innovators in renewable energy, revolutionising the integration of clean energy through digitisation in home, business, and e-mobility sectors. We are a UK based innovative electrical power and control technologists working in the electric vehicle, battery storage and renewables industries. With a suite of products targeting microgrids, battery storage, and EV charging, SPS is at the forefront of Grid Edge-enabling technologies.
Project Background
The project will focus on the control and monitoring of energy system to harness renewable energy sources and optimising their usage. At the front of this innovation, we envision a microgrid system that combines various components including Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), solar, wind and EV.
Job Purpose
Working with a small team, the secondee will design, build and test a prototype for microgrids for both commercial & residential sector. The work may also extend to scoping and bidding for future projects and funding.
We are looking for a software developer ideally with an engineering /science / mathematics-based background, although not essential, and with some experience working with cloud platforms and web services.
The main tasks will involve interfacing our electrical equipment to the cloud and then developing web and smart phone apps to allow data visualisation and remote control of our equipment. A good knowledge of any relevant programming language would be useful but more essential is passion to build up your knowledge continuously and a keen interest in programming and web-based technology. This is an exciting opportunity to work with innovative low carbon products from inception to market roll out.
Secondment Details
Number of secondments: This advert is for one secondment.
Duration: This secondment is three months in duration at full-time, depending on the secondee’s availability (or prorated for part-time equivalent).
Location: Hybrid working with periodic in-person meetings in at Loughborough University or at the host offices in Market Harborough.
Salary: University Pay Scale Spine 27 to 38 (£33,966 to £46,974 p.a. prorated for duration of post), depending on current postdoctoral researcher salary. Please note that university overheads will not be paid due to the developmental opportunity this presents to the postdoctoral researcher to undertake an industrial secondment. Expenses related to authorised travel for this secondment will be covered.
Special Conditions
This industrial placement is open to postdoctoral researchers based at C-DICE universities. In exceptional cases, final year PhD students (PGRs) will be considered. Successful candidates will be required to seek permission from their supervisor and employing organisation to undertake the secondment. The project will commence as soon as possible. In cases where participation in this secondment would require a no-cost extension to an EPSRC grant, EPSRC has agreed to grant this automatically on request.
All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the Smart Power Systems Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures.
All staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the Smart Power Systems Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy and procedures at all times. Duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Equality & Diversity legislation and policies/procedures.
After the Secondment
- Confirmation of expenditure.
- Outcomes (e.g. publications, engagement activities) for impact tracking.
- A report highlighting key findings.
- The postdoc may be asked to engage with C-DICE events (e.g. Annual Conference or Business Engagement Events) and to lead a C-DICE training activity in their area of expertise.
Eligibility
Essential Criteria
- Electrical Systems
- Software control
- Renewable Energy
- Good understanding of Python
- Battery storage
- Knowledge and understanding of IT cloud Services
- Interest in Raspberry Pi – micro controllers
- Engineering / Science background
- Research
Desirable Criteria
- Teamwork
- Industrial Awareness
- Data Science experience
- Control engineering
- PLC programming
- Interest in AI
Timeline
| Deadline for applications | 15 February 2024 at 16:00 |
| Confirmation interviews | 22 February 2024, 13:00-15:00 (TBC) |
How to Apply
Applications may be submitted any time before the deadline.
- Sign up to Inkpath. Then affiliate your account to C-DICE. For more details on how, click here.
- Apply via Inkpath using Activity Code DSAB0016 or click the button above.
- When you sign up for the activity, you will receive a link to an online application form.
- You will need:
- Application details (education & employment background)
- Cover letter stating your available start date (max 500 words)
- CV
Supporting documents to be uploaded to Inkpath Activity DSAB0016. Any questions about the role or support in the application process should be emailed to C-DICE at a.beierholm@cdice.ac.uk and cc: enquiries@cdice.ac.uk.
Please note that if you are successful, your supervisor will be contacted for a letter/email of support.