Job Description

Career Opportunity
The company is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisations work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

About the job
The company has a vacancy for two Senior Researchers/Engineers in the Energy Centre within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting the translation of company energy-related research into direct and tangible recommendations for South African policymakers at Government, Provincial and Municipal levels on how to achieve an optimal energy supply mix and configuration to ensure stable and sustainable supply and the growth of South African industry.

Key responsibilities
Manage projects, research and conduct investigations on energy modelling and related topics.
Provide leadership in formulating research questions and developing study assumptions.
Provide research direction to the Energy Centre on energy planning and energy modelling
Participate in local panels or working groups on power systems topics.
Work with a team of researchers/engineers in your own field and across other disciplines
Generate technical reports, articles, conference papers and presentations aimed at energy modelling locally and internationally.
Provide training on energy planning related topics to company employees and externally.
Formulate research proposals to attract contract research income from public and private clients
Develop relationships with potential, collaborators and stakeholders for R&D in power systems topics
Compile technical reports for clients in the energy sector;
Manage contract research and development and ensure adherence to schedule and budget;

Qualifications, skills and experience:
An Masters degree in electrical/mechanical/industrial engineering, mathematics, science or equivalent with at least six years working experience in the energy sector, of which three years should be in the energy modelling domain.
Proficiency in suitable energy modelling software tools applied in the energy sector. These could include inter alia energy systems modelling using PLEXOS, OSEMOSYS, TIMES or others;
Experience in the energy sector modelling;
Strong network in the public and private sector as links to sustainable energy supply, with a track record of working with clients and obtaining contract R&D in the field.
Familiarity with modelling approaches for energy planning and modelling.
Experience in scenario definitions/planning.
Familiarity with the South African and Southern African power system would be advantageous

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