Research Engineer – Smart Energy Services and Regulatory Innovation
About the Team
The Smart Energy Services and Regulatory Innovation (SESRI) Team at the International Energy Research Centre focuses on advancing innovative energy services, business models, and regulatory approaches across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Its work emphasises energy efficiency, sustainability, and the decarbonisation of energy‑intensive industries.
Research conducted by this Team centres on the analysis, development, and validation of smart energy services that integrate technological solutions with viable business models. These services aim to improve energy efficiency, optimise energy management, and enable cost‑effective energy supply and demand‑side management, while accounting for market conditions and user behaviour.
The Team’s activities span a broad range of areas, including the analysis, design, and validation of energy efficiency measures; modelling of energy supply and storage systems; the development of energy management methodologies; and energy policy analysis, along with recommendations to inform new policy development. The Team also develops, demonstrates, and validates innovative business models, contractual frameworks, and policy studies to assess and enhance the performance of energy services and emerging technologies (such as those related to renewable hydrogen), and to accelerate their adoption across sectors.
About the Role
The Research Engineer for the SESRI team will lead research tasks in European and National projects. The appointee will be expected to work in collaboration with the other teams within IERC in the following research areas:
Energy Performance Contracting
Energy Efficiency in Residential, Commercial and Industry Sectors
Energy Auditing and Recommendation of Energy Efficiency Measures
Energy Efficiency as a service
Energy policy and regulatory innovations
Green hydrogen economy
The SESRI team already has a number of high‑profile research projects including AUDIT+ (Energy efficiency and decarbonisation of energy intensive industries) and EasyPro (Energy Performance Contracting at Irish Universities) which are funded by the EU LIFE research funding programme, and Polinreb (Policy innovation to solve the split‑incentive issue in multi‑sectoral rented buildings), funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The Research Engineer will report to the SESRI Team Lead.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Perform as individual contributor in research projects within the SESRI team
Contribute to the vision and direction for smart energy services and energy policy research in IERC
Contribute to the bid and proposal writing for competitive funding streams
Lead tasks in collaborative projects that deliver high-quality outcomes to meet industry requirements
Collaborate with the external partners through project milestones, ensuring timely delivery of project deliverables and reports
Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities
Ensure compliance with Tyndall’s Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety standards, and other regulations
To carry out any additional duties that may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post
Essential Criteria
A Master’s degree or equivalent in energy engineering or other relevant discipline
Strong demonstrable experience in at least 2 of the following: energy auditing, energy efficiency, building energy performance, energy performance contracting, energy services, energy policy, building services engineering, energy communities, stakeholder engagement
Strong interest and willingness to work in industrial energy auditing and energy efficiency measures
Strong interest and willingness to work on energy performance contracting
Strong interest and willingness to work on energy policy, business models for energy efficiency and contractual templates
Demonstrated ability to work independently to a tight schedule
Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills
Typically with one year experience of working in research environment or PhD (or equivalent) in energy engineering or other relevant discipline, and experience of working/managing H2020, LIFE or Horizon Europe projects
Desirable Criteria
Demonstrated data and statistical skills
Highly self‑motivated and able to demonstrate initiative
Previous experience in managing and supervising postgraduate students
Experience in any of the following areas would be beneficial: carrying out energy audits and recommending energy saving measures; persuading SMEs to implement energy saving measures; designing and conducting surveys and focus groups with a range of stakeholders; planning, organising and running workshops, training courses, webinars and other events
Evidence of professional experience working with industry and demonstrating an understanding of industry needs
Previous experience of report writing for European funded projects
What We Offer
Apart from offering a position in a very successful and positive research environment, with a collaborative ethos full of diverse competencies to boost your career, we offer the following:
Impactful Work: Opportunities to contribute to ground‑breaking research and innovation that shape Ireland’s economy and the society at large
Continuous Learning: Strong support for formal training, further study and professional development
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
Terms of Employment
Contract Category: Full‑Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Appointment may be made on the Grade Senior Executive Assistant/Executive Officer Point 1 Scale B (new entrants) salary € 40,327 – €55,667 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with the public sector pay policy.
Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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