Senior Research & Development Engineer (Power Electronics) 353653
 

Salary range: £41,526 - £51,034
FTE: 1
Term: Fixed Term (Initially for 24 months)*
Closing date:  31 March 2021

The PNDC is a world-class facility with dedicated staff that will accelerate the adoption of new, 'smart' technologies within advanced power grids, supporting the increased accommodation of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and demand side management. The £12.5 million Centre - the first of its kind in Europe – was founded by the University of Strathclyde and leading energy companies including Scottish Power Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution, with support from Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council. The Centre has expanded its membership since its founding and this growth is set to continue.

The PNDC are looking to appoint a Senior Research and Development Engineer to research, develop, test, and demonstrate technologies for electrification of transport and energy storage in the utility and transportation sectors. Opportunities for innovation are extensive, through the strong working relationship and routes to market afforded by the PNDC’s industry members and commercial engagements. This will be supplemented with collaborative opportunities with other research and industry teams in the UK and abroad. The successful candidate will work as part of a growing team on a wide range of technical projects, with a particular emphasis on experimental validation and testing. You will be expected to lead on specific research areas and contribute to others and will develop project plans for consideration by industrial partners and clients. You will apply as Principal or Co-Investigator for high value industrial funding proposals. Through engagement with relevant professional knowledge exchange activities you will lead the PNDC’s external profile and technical leadership.

The team is undertaking an exciting expansion of the facility, with whole energy systems and low carbon propulsion facilities being added. This is enabling the team to provide critical contributions to national and regional initiatives, such as the Hydrogen Accelerator and the Industry Strategy Challenge Fund’s Driving the Electric Revolution (DER) Challenge. PNDC is set to play a leading role in the de-risking of high integrity, high power, electrified powertrains for aerospace, marine and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as accelerating the deployment of grid-connected power electronics. These investments and engagements through DER Centre Scotland mean the PNDC is now able to offer a unique opportunity for power electronic, machines and drives (PEMD) specialists to work at the cutting edge of industrial innovation in the energy and transport sectors as they transition to net-zero.

The PNDC seeks therefore to appoint an PEMD specialist as Senior Research and Development Engineer, to lead and manage delivery of a rapidly expanding research and innovation programme in the areas of grid flexibility, electric vehicle integration and electrified, high power propulsion and power trains. The candidate will also be able to lead and contribute to high value industrial funding proposals. The post holder will be expected to work in the dynamic team environment of PNDC, collaborating extensively with industrial partners, and engaging with the academic research teams accessible through the wider Institute for Energy and Environment. There will be a strong emphasis on knowledge exchange and practical evaluation in test rigs, and significant opportunity to drive sector-leading impact.

To achieve the above, the Senior R&D Engineer will have sufficient research and/or industrial experience in at least two of the following technical areas:

a) Control systems for power electronics converters
b) Utilization of new semiconductor technology for power converters and power supplies
c) Industrial application of power electronics
d) System integration of power electronics converter for industrial application
e) Electrical machines configuration, integration, and performance evaluation
f) Design of power electronics converters for industrial applications
g) Development of detailed technical specifications for new design concept

To be considered for the role, you will have a good honours degree and PhD / higher degree (or equivalent professional experience) in appropriate discipline. You will have the ability to conduct individual knowledge exchange projects, work directly and independently with clients, and to prepare new knowledge exchange proposals.

*Whilst funding for this position is guaranteed for an initial period of 24 months, the postholder will be expected to drive the growth and income of the PNDC by submitting proposals and securing high value industrial funding, and for the role to become self-sustaining in the longer term.

It is anticipated that interviews for this post will be held in April 2021.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Simon Hill, PNDC Delivery Programme Manager (simon.hill@strath.ac.uk / +44 1236 617189).

Click here for full details
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Department/School
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Staff Category
Knowledge Exchange
Type of Employment
Fixed-term
Working Hours
Full-time
Vacancy Description
 
Salary range: £41,526 - £51,034
FTE: 1
Term: Fixed Term (Initially for 24 months)*
Closing date:  31 March 2021

The PNDC is a world-class facility with dedicated staff that will accelerate the adoption of new, 'smart' technologies within advanced power grids, supporting the increased accommodation of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and demand side management. The £12.5 million Centre - the first of its kind in Europe – was founded by the University of Strathclyde and leading energy companies including Scottish Power Energy Networks and Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution, with support from Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council. The Centre has expanded its membership since its founding and this growth is set to continue.

The PNDC are looking to appoint a Senior Research and Development Engineer to research, develop, test, and demonstrate technologies for electrification of transport and energy storage in the utility and transportation sectors. Opportunities for innovation are extensive, through the strong working relationship and routes to market afforded by the PNDC’s industry members and commercial engagements. This will be supplemented with collaborative opportunities with other research and industry teams in the UK and abroad. The successful candidate will work as part of a growing team on a wide range of technical projects, with a particular emphasis on experimental validation and testing. You will be expected to lead on specific research areas and contribute to others and will develop project plans for consideration by industrial partners and clients. You will apply as Principal or Co-Investigator for high value industrial funding proposals. Through engagement with relevant professional knowledge exchange activities you will lead the PNDC’s external profile and technical leadership.

The team is undertaking an exciting expansion of the facility, with whole energy systems and low carbon propulsion facilities being added. This is enabling the team to provide critical contributions to national and regional initiatives, such as the Hydrogen Accelerator and the Industry Strategy Challenge Fund’s Driving the Electric Revolution (DER) Challenge. PNDC is set to play a leading role in the de-risking of high integrity, high power, electrified powertrains for aerospace, marine and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as accelerating the deployment of grid-connected power electronics. These investments and engagements through DER Centre Scotland mean the PNDC is now able to offer a unique opportunity for power electronic, machines and drives (PEMD) specialists to work at the cutting edge of industrial innovation in the energy and transport sectors as they transition to net-zero.

The PNDC seeks therefore to appoint an PEMD specialist as Senior Research and Development Engineer, to lead and manage delivery of a rapidly expanding research and innovation programme in the areas of grid flexibility, electric vehicle integration and electrified, high power propulsion and power trains. The candidate will also be able to lead and contribute to high value industrial funding proposals. The post holder will be expected to work in the dynamic team environment of PNDC, collaborating extensively with industrial partners, and engaging with the academic research teams accessible through the wider Institute for Energy and Environment. There will be a strong emphasis on knowledge exchange and practical evaluation in test rigs, and significant opportunity to drive sector-leading impact.

To achieve the above, the Senior R&D Engineer will have sufficient research and/or industrial experience in at least two of the following technical areas:

a) Control systems for power electronics converters
b) Utilization of new semiconductor technology for power converters and power supplies
c) Industrial application of power electronics
d) System integration of power electronics converter for industrial application
e) Electrical machines configuration, integration, and performance evaluation
f) Design of power electronics converters for industrial applications
g) Development of detailed technical specifications for new design concept

To be considered for the role, you will have a good honours degree and PhD / higher degree (or equivalent professional experience) in appropriate discipline. You will have the ability to conduct individual knowledge exchange projects, work directly and independently with clients, and to prepare new knowledge exchange proposals.

*Whilst funding for this position is guaranteed for an initial period of 24 months, the postholder will be expected to drive the growth and income of the PNDC by submitting proposals and securing high value industrial funding, and for the role to become self-sustaining in the longer term.

It is anticipated that interviews for this post will be held in April 2021.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Simon Hill, PNDC Delivery Programme Manager (simon.hill@strath.ac.uk / +44 1236 617189).

Click here for full details