About the role

Applications are invited for a highly motivated and ambitious Research Associate to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering.

Buildings have increasing potential to be active participants in the transition to Net Zero. Demand side energy management, energy storage, and even the thermal mass of a building structure, have potential to facilitate and enhance energy flexibility. The ability to shift the timing of building energy demands and the decoupling of heating energy supply from demand are important levers in optimisation of buildings and energy network interaction, including the utilisation of renewable energy resources. However, retaining the high fidelity associated with building level energy modelling is challenging when scaled-up and aggregated to street, community, or higher levels.

This project will seek to develop computational modelling of building energy use with improved fidelity at scale. The aim of this modelling is to deliver accurate insight into the impact of future heating technologies and strategy options for residential buildings.

This is a full-time position with an expected end date of 1^st September 2026.

For an informal discussion about each role please contact Dr Andy Shea on a.shea@bath.ac.uk. Please ensure you submit your application via our website.

About you

Your skills and attributes: 

• a PhD in an engineering/physical sciences subject
• demonstrable skills in energy modelling including programmatic use of EnergyPlus, or similar building energy modelling tools
• experience in delivering research project results in a built environment context, i.e. a record of peer-reviewed journal and conference papers in this or a closely related area

Experience in AI/ML tools for advanced building energy modelling is desirable.

For a full Person Specification please see the Job Description attached below.

Further information

What we can offer you:

• a very generous employer contributory pension scheme
• generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
• an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
• a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

Find out more about our benefits.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.

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Further details:

• Job Description & Person Specification