Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of Exeter; Exeter; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Exeter invites a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an Innovate UK funded project on BESS digital twin and AI-based battery health optimisation for data centre energy systems. The role starts 1 November 2026 for 12 months and offers a competitive salary.

The successful candidate will develop research objectives, manage projects, secure funding, supervise researchers, and present at conferences, with strong emphasis on Python and AI/ML underpinned by a solid publication record.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in related field.
• Extensive experience applying AI/ML to energy systems, digital twin, BESS modelling.
• Strong publication record and Python programming.

Responsibilities

• Develop research objectives, projects and proposals.
• Identify sources of research funding and contribute to securing funds.
• Make presentations at conferences and other events.

Skills

AI/ML in energy systems

Digital twin

Python programming

Education

PhD or equivalent in related field

Tools

Python

Job description

Research Fellow

This Innovate UK funded full-time post is available from 1/11/2026 for 12 months.

About The Role

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

This Innovate UK funded full-time post is available from 1/11/2026 for 12 months.

The starting salary will be from £44,352 on Grade F, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.

The Role

Environment, Science and Economy faculty

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an Innovate UK funded project called ReB-DC to develop a BESS digital twin and AI-based battery health optimisation framework for stationary battery energy storage systems deployed in mission-critical data centre environments.

About You

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Required

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in insert subject area and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will be able to demonstrate:

• Sound knowledge of the discipline and research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
• Extensive experience of applying AI and ML to energy systems, especially digital twin, BESS modelling, data centre integration with energy networks.
• Strong publication record and sound programming skills in Python.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

Further information

Please contact Prof Zhong Fan, [e-mail]

Advertising End Date

29 Oct 2026

About Us

Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future

Join the University of Exeter, a top 200 Russel Group university (QS & THE World University Rankings 2025), excelling in teaching (triple Gold rating, TEF 2023) and leading groundbreaking research in the beautiful southwest of England.

What We Can Offer You

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;
• Support teams that understand the University wide teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly;
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supports high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility TreatmentPolicy;
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon/Cornwall.

How We Can Help

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at [e-mail]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.