Post-doctoral researcher – Smart Energy Services and Regulatory Innovation

Contract: Full Time/ Fixed Term

About Tyndall National Institute and the International Energy Research Centre (IERC)

The International Energy Research Centre (IERC) at Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher within its Smart Energy Services and Regulatory Innovation (SESRI) team.

Tyndall National Institute is Ireland's largest Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) and is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductor, chip and digital technologies, particularly as applied to the fields of Energy and Climate Mitigation, Information & Communications, Health & Life Sciences, Agritech & Food Security and emerging fields such as quantum, and novel computing paradigms.

Tyndall is a home to a research community of 600 people of over 50 nationalities and has an Athena Swan Bronze award, reflecting our commitment to ensuring equity of opportunity for all researchers regardless of gender or ethnicity. We are actively improving our internal processes to build on the Athena Swan award and have a vibrant People and Culture team driving initiatives.

IERC, is Ireland's leading not-for-profit professional energy research centre conducting holistic collaborative research into the decarbonisation of the energy systems associated with:

• Low carbon grids
• Energy citizens and communities
• SMEs and industry
• Smart cities and buildings and the built environment
• Energy in agriculture

The position is approximately for two years with potential for extension pending further funding.

Purpose of the role

The post-doctoral researcher will lead research tasks in European and National projects. The appointee will be expected to work in collaboration with the other teams within IERC. The SESRI team has a broad range of activities including the following research areas:

• Energy Performance Contracting
• Business Models for Smart Energy Services
• Energy Efficiency as a service
• Energy Policy and Regulatory Innovations
• Energy Transition and Green hydrogen economy
• Demand Response

The SESRI team already has several high-profile research projects including AUDIT+ (Decarbonisation of energy intensive industries) and EasyPro (Easy Procurement of Energy Performance Contracts at Irish Universities) which are funded by the EU LIFE-CET research funding programme. The post-doctoral researcher will report to the SESRI Team Lead.

Applications welcome from researchers with strong & distinctive ideas for new ideas and concepts.

What we offer

• Individual Development Plans: Staff work with their managers to create detailed career "roadmaps" that take into account their interests and aspirations as well as the business needs of their Centre and the Institute.
• Learning & Development Opportunities: Staff can take advantage of learning and development opportunities, including leadership and management development skills, project management, industry and job specific learning, and including general business, finance, and technology skills.
• Opportunities for mentoring and day-to-day technical supervision of PhD students in the group
• Opportunities for Outreach and public engagement activities
• Support for preparation of competitive research proposals.

The successful candidate would also be expected to participate in IERC's research activities, contribute to the bid and proposal activity for new funding and engage in a variety of internal and external facing activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform as a contributor in research projects within the SESRI team
• Contribute to the vision and direction for smart energy services and energy policy research in IERC
• Contribute to the bid and proposal writing for competitive funding streams
• Contribute to scientific and non-scientific publications
• Lead tasks in collaborative projects that deliver high-quality outcomes to meet industry requirements
• Collaborate with the external partners through project milestones, ensuring timely delivery of project deliverables and reports
• Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system.
• Ensure all activities are compliant with the required Health and Safety standards.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post

Essential Criteria

• A PhD degree, or working toward a PhD degree, in energy engineering or other relevant discipline
• Strong demonstrable experience in at least 2 of the following: energy auditing, energy efficiency, building energy performance, energy performance contracting, energy services, energy policy, building services engineering, renewable hydrogen, stakeholder engagement
• At least 2 years working in a research environment
• Experience of working/managing Horizon Europe or LIFE-CET projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to a tight schedule
• Excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of entrepreneurial experience and creative skills/creativity
• Demonstrated computer programming, data and statistical skills.
• Highly self-motivated and able to demonstrate initiative
• Previous experience in managing and supervising postgraduate students
• Experience in any of the following areas would be beneficial: carrying out energy audits and recommending energy saving measures; persuading SMEs to implement energy saving measures; designing and conducting surveys and focus groups with a range of stakeholders; planning, organising and running workshops, training courses, webinars and other events.
• Evidence of professional experience working with industry and demonstrating an understanding of industry needs
• Previous experience of report writing for European funded projects
• Evidence of a good network of collaborators/potential partners

The IERC provides a supportive and collaborative working environment to ensure equal employment and advancement opportunities.

Tyndall National institute has a proactive entrepreneurial culture and we welcome applications from candidates who possess entrepreneurial and creative skills/experience, including the creation of technology start-ups.

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. Luciano De Tommasi. Further information on the centre is available at

Appointment may be made on the UCC Post-Doctorate Researcher scale €46,306 - €52,863 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

Closing date is 1pm, 26th September 2025

Application Instructions: Please click here to Apply. Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.

Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.