Senior Research Engineer - Renewable Energy

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Flexible remote work

Home office setup support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Senior Research Engineer to join a remote renewable energy research team. You will lead projects advancing solar cell technologies and energy storage, design and test prototypes, and analyze data to optimize efficiency and reliability.

The role emphasizes collaboration with an international team and opportunities for professional growth within the sustainable energy sector, with a focus on impactful, ground-breaking technologies.

Qualifications

• PhD required in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years post-doctoral or industry experience in renewable energy research, particularly solar or battery tech.
• Proven expertise in photovoltaic device physics, materials characterization, and device fabrication.
• Experience with battery chemistries, electrochemical testing, and energy storage system integration.
• Strong background in simulation and modeling tools (e.g., COMSOL, MATLAB).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for effective remote teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development efforts in advanced photovoltaic materials and solar cell architectures.
• Design, build, and test prototypes for renewable energy generation and storage systems.
• Conduct rigorous performance analysis and failure mode investigations on experimental devices.
• Develop and implement advanced modeling and simulation tools for energy systems.
• Collaborate virtually with an international team of scientists and engineers across disciplines.
• Stay current with advancements in renewable energy technologies and identify new research opportunities.
• Author technical reports, research papers, and patent applications.

Skills

Research leadership

PV device physics

Materials characterization

Device fabrication

Simulation & modeling

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in EE/Materials/Chemical Eng

Tools

COMSOL

MATLAB

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Research Engineer to join their pioneering renewable energy research team, working entirely on a remote basis. This role focuses on advancing next-generation solar cell technologies and energy storage solutions. You will lead research projects, contribute to the design and testing of innovative prototypes, and analyze performance data to optimize efficiency and reliability. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the sustainable energy sector from the convenience of a remote work setup, collaborating with a globally distributed team dedicated to creating a greener future.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research and development efforts in advanced photovoltaic materials and solar cell architectures.
• Design, build, and test prototypes for new renewable energy generation and storage systems.
• Conduct rigorous performance analysis and failure mode investigations on experimental devices.
• Develop and implement advanced modeling and simulation tools for energy systems.
• Collaborate virtually with an international team of scientists and engineers across different disciplines.
• Stay current with advancements in renewable energy technologies and identify new research opportunities.
• Author technical reports, research papers, and patent applications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in renewable energy research, particularly solar or battery technology.
• Proven expertise in photovoltaic device physics, materials characterization, and device fabrication.
• Experience with battery chemistries, electrochemical testing, and energy storage system integration.
• Strong background in simulation and modeling tools (e.g., COMSOL, MATLAB).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for effective remote teamwork.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and development in the renewable energy sector.
• Flexible remote work arrangements with support for home office setup.
• A chance to contribute to groundbreaking technologies addressing global energy challenges.