Research Associate in Energy System Modelling and Market Design in Edinburgh

UE07: £41,064 - £48,822 per annum

CSE / School of Engineering / Institute for Energy Systems

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed term: 36 months

Help us redefine what’s possible. Be part of something bigger.

The University isn’t just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices.

The Opportunity:

We are pleased to announce a fully funded Research Associate position in multi-energy markets and planning at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh. This position is part of a new EPSRC-funded research project led by Dr Andrew Lyden, examining how energy market design and interactions between electricity, heat and hydrogen can inform long-term energy system planning.

The transition to net zero requires planning approaches that capture not only technologies and infrastructure, but also the markets, policies and decisions that shape how the energy system develops. The project will address this challenge by developing new open-source modelling capabilities for Great Britain. This will include an integrated multi-energy system model, alongside agent-based approaches for representing the behaviour of investors, aggregators, consumers and other energy sector actors. The research will explore how different market and policy arrangements affect investment, system operation and infrastructure need across the electricity, heat and hydrogen sectors.

The successful candidate will have an important role in shaping and delivering the research. They will contribute to model development, scenario design, data analysis, research publications and engagement with academic, policy and industry partners. There will be scope to further develop expertise across energy system optimisation, electricity market modelling, agent-based modelling and integrated energy system analysis, depending on the candidate’s background and interests. The post will also provide opportunities to lead publications, develop open-source research software, present findings at international conferences and work with organisations involved in energy policy, regulation, system planning, and industry.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

View the full job description

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter explaining your interest in the role and how your experience meets the essential, and where relevant desirable, criteria outlined in the job description.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page(opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion:

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from groups that are currently underrepresented within engineering and energy system research.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages(opens new browser tab)

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 1 September 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.