Principal Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems Planning and Modelling

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning and development opportunities

Competitive remuneration package

Total guaranteed salary package with a

Job summary

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites applications for a Principal Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems Planning and Modelling in Pretoria. You will lead the energy modellers, set research direction, and grow a portfolio of contract R&D while engaging with senior stakeholders.

Strong leadership, modelling expertise, and a track record in energy systems are essential. Based in the Energy Systems and Services Centre, you will drive studies across all energy carriers,

Qualifications

• Master's degree with energy sector experience and modelling proficiency.
• Doctoral degree is advantageous but not required.
• Proven leadership and ability to mentor researchers.
• Track record in securing contract R&D funding.
• Proficiency with energy modelling tools and data.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor energy modellers, set objectives and develop junior staff.
• Define research direction and modelling agenda for energy planning.
• Lead complex energy systems modelling studies and ensure credibility.
• Develop proposals and grow contract R&D in energy modelling.
• Manage portfolio of projects and ensure delivery to scope and budget.

Skills

Leadership

Energy modelling

Strategic thinking

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Communication

Team development

Education

Master's degree in electrical/ mechanical/ industrial engineering or related field

Doctoral degree (advantageous)

Tools

PLEXOS

OSeMOSYS

TIMES

Job description

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Principal Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems Planning and Modelling in the

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Principal Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems Planning and Modelling

About The Job

The CSIR invites applications for the position of Principal Researcher/Engineer: Energy Systems Planning and Modelling within the Energy Systems and Services Centre in the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions (NGEI) cluster. In addition to being a recognised specialist, the successful candidate will lead, build and mentor the centre's energy systems modelling team, set its research direction and grow its portfolio of contract research and development (R&D). The role leads integrated energy planning and modelling studies across all energy carriers, including coal, nuclear, natural gas, liquid fuels and renewable energy and turns modelling results into a strategic evidence base for energy policy, regulation and decision-making at national, provincial, local government and enterprise levels. The work addresses both the current energy system and the transition to a future system with a high share of renewable energy, in support of South Africa's national energy goals. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more info about the cluster, please visit this link: https://www.csir.co.za/healthy-mix-energy-sources-future-energy-south-africa

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and team development
  • Lead, build and mentor a multidisciplinary team of energy modellers, including setting objectives, managing performance and developing junior researchers and postdoctoral fellows;
  • Set and drive the research direction and modelling agenda of the Energy Systems and Services Centre for energy planning and energy systems modelling;
  • Build and sustain the team's delivery capacity through recruitment, succession planning and knowledge transfer;
  • Provide training on energy planning and modelling to CSIR employees and external stakeholders, as required.
• Research and technical leadership
  • Lead complex energy systems modelling studies, including formulating research questions, defining scenarios and developing study assumptions;
  • Advance modelling approaches, tools and data, and ensure the quality and credibility of modelling outputs;
  • Provide the strategic evidence base and thought leadership to inform immediate and long-term energy sector decision-making at national, provincial, local government and enterprise levels;
  • Produce technical reports, journal articles, conference papers and presentations on energy modelling for local and international audiences.
• Business development and stakeholder engagement
  • Develop research proposals and grow a sustainable pipeline of contract R&D in energy planning and energy systems modelling;
  • Build strategic relationships with clients, funders and collaborators across government, state-owned entities, industry and international partners, linking the technical, policy and international stakeholder communities;
  • Collaborate with CSIR’s Business Development and Commercialisation (BD&C) on energy-related business opportunities.
• Project and portfolio management
  • Manage a portfolio of contract R&D projects and ensure delivery to scope, schedule, budget and quality standards;
  • Align project delivery with the NGEI cluster's research agenda and strategic priorities.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Master's degree in electrical, mechanical or industrial engineering, mathematics, science or an equivalent field, with at least ten years experience in the energy sector, including at least five years in energy modelling;
• A Doctoral degree in electrical, mechanical or industrial engineering, mathematics, science or an equivalent field will be advantageous;
• A proven track record of leading and managing a team of energy modellers or researchers, including mentoring and developing staff;
• A track record of securing contract R&D funding and successfully managing such projects;
• Proficiency in energy systems modelling software used in the energy sector, such as PLEXOS, OSeMOSYS, TIMES or similar;
• Extensive experience and understanding of the energy sector across all energy carriers, including coal, nuclear, natural gas, liquid fuels and the growing renewable energy industry;
• A strong local and international network in the public and private sectors related to energy modelling;
• Expert-level experience in the following is required as a minimum:
  • Energy modelling approaches for energy systems;
  • Modelling with energy planning tools and software;
  • Scenario definition and planning;
• Knowledge of the following will be advantageous, but is not essential:
  • The South African power system;
  • South African energy policies, regulations, codes and standards;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage senior decision-makers and a broad range of stakeholders;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to lead and work with a diverse team from science, engineering, business, economics and policy backgrounds.

What's in it for you?

The CSIR Offers

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at [e-mail]

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant's educational qualification and employment history.

The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.