Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, 33-month fixed term position as a Research Fellow working on green hydrogen for decarbonising heat and feedstock in Irish industry. The position will be based in Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway) and is available from 1 December 2021. The successful candidate will play a leading role in HyLIGHT, a 3-year project funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and a 25-strong industry consortium through MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine. The overall aim of HyLIGHT is to provide the knowledge, data, and necessary tools to guide the cost-effective decarbonisation and map sustainable large-scale implementation of hydrogen technologies in Ireland. HyLIGHT will achieve its aim by collaborating with the leading national and international companies, universities and stakeholders working to facilitate the delivery of hydrogen to all energy sectors; heat, transport and electricity; but also to where it is needed in industry, in a safe and cost effective manner for energy consumers and industry. Ten researchers from PhD to Postdoc to Research Fellow level are currently being hired.
The successful candidate will work in Dr Rory Monaghan’s research team, lead the Hydrogen Demand work package of HyLIGHT, and assume project management responsibility for NUI Galway’s role in HyLIGHT. Research will examine the prospects for green hydrogen-based decarbonisation of high-temperature heat and chemical feedstock in Irish industry. How does green hydrogen compare to other approaches? What system and process changes are required? How can these potential major demand sites be linked to green hydrogen supply? What are the key commercial, policy, and societal barriers to its deployment?
Job Description:
The successful candidate will conduct the following activities that are central to the project:
1. Lead the project management of NUI Galway’s participation in HyLIGHT, including technical and financial reporting.
2. Manage the exchange of all information and data between NUI Galway and HyLIGHT industry partners for all projects.
3. Assume a leading role in the supervision of HyLIGHT and other related PhD students and postdoctoral researchers at NUI Galway.
4. Develop short-, medium-, and long-term scenarios for green hydrogen in industrial heating and feedstock in Ireland, considering different sectors, green electricity availability, geographical locations, infrastructural requirements, trajectories for future growth.
5. Compare green hydrogen to other industry decarbonisation routes on the bases of costs and benefits, barriers to widespread deployment, potential supply chain configurations, and other factors.
6. Prepare periodic and final reports of findings and coordinate the submission of all similar reports for NUI Galway HyLIGHT researchers.
7. With the PIs and HyLIGHT partners, lead the preparation of funding proposals to extend the breadth and depth of green hydrogen research at NUI Galway.
Additional Duties:
In addition to the tasks listed above, the successful candidate will:
1. Prepare abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations for dissemination of the work in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, and international conferences.
2. Assist in the operation of the research group by assisting in the following: (i) PhD student and Postdoc supervision, (ii) day-to-day management, and (iii) writing research funding applications.
3. Develop their teaching skills by contributing to lectures and undergraduate project supervision.
4. Work with very high degrees of independence and dedication to ensure the successful completion of the work and their development as an independent researcher.
Essential Requirements:
• Hold a PhD degree in Engineering with thesis relevant to this project.
• Have significant Postdoctoral experience (6+ years), relevant to this project, in academia and/or industry.
• Have an excellent publication record as a senior author in peer-reviewed journal papers relevant to this project.
• Have demonstrable expertise in use of engineering modelling software in energy applications, e.g., Excel, Matlab, Python, Jupyter, C++, Fortran, open-source platforms, PyPsa.
• Have experience in research grant writing, student supervision and project management.
• Have demonstrable research independence.
• Have excellent written, spoken and presentation English communication skills.
Desirable Requirements:
• Have experience in managing research consortia and/or partnerships.
• Have industrial experience relevant to this project.
• Have demonstrable ability to prioritise workload to strict deadlines.
Salary: €55,811.00 per annum pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contract (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply).
Start date: Position is available from the 1st of December 2021.
Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway Researchers at NUI Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. NUI Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see
www.nuigalway.ie/rdc for further information.
For information on moving to Ireland please see
www.euraxess.ie NB: Gárda vetting is a requirement for this post (as appropriate to Child Protection Policy)
Further information about the research partners is available at the links given above. Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Dr Rory Monaghan at NUI Galway (
[email protected]).
To Apply:
Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr Rory Monaghan (
[email protected]).
Please put reference number NUIG RES 210-21 in subject line of e-mail application.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm Friday 8th October 2021
Due to the University closure related to COVID-19, interviews may have to take place virtually and start dates may need to be delayed
NUI Galway reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.
All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.
