Senior Modelling Consultant & Senior Modelling Analyst - #1799663

About Us

Energy Systems Catapult is an independent research and technology organisation. Our mission is to accelerate Net Zero energy innovation.

Launched in 2015 by Innovate UK, the Catapult has built a team of more than 250 people, with a range of technical, engineering, consumer, commercial, incubation, digital and policy expertise. They draw on sector-leading test facilities, modelling tools, and data collected from our back catalogue of more than 500 research projects.

We use that ‘whole energy’ system capability to support innovative companies -- small and large – to test, trial and scale their new products and services. Our impact comes when those innovators attract new customers, new investment and new grants so they can thrive in the future energy system.

Based in Birmingham, Energy Systems Catapult is part of a network of nine, world-leading technology and innovation centres, established by Innovate UK. The Catapult Network fosters collaboration between industry, government, research organisations, academia, and many others to transform great ideas into valuable products and services.

We believe that innovation often stems from connecting different areas and ideas, and that working together in person can be an important enabler for that. We therefore expect people to be in the Birmingham office ~40 days/year (roughly one day per week).

The Opportunities

The Modelling Team sits within the wider Capabilities Directorate, and has the role to identify, define, build, manage, deploy and support the assets and capabilities that will enable the Catapult to achieve its Mission “to accelerate Net Zero energy innovation”. The Modelling Team has a suite of assets including ESME (Energy System Modelling Environment) for national-level modelling, and a newly developed approach to increase the speed and granularity of local-level modelling and make it more widely accessible due to reduced costs.

The roles of Senior Modelling Consultant and Snr Modelling Analyst are key in leveraging these assets effectively by bridging the gap between technical expertise and strategic application, ensuring that our modelling capabilities will translate into actionable insights and robust solutions, and therefore advancing the Catapult's mission.

Working alongside the Practice Managers for Local Area Modelling and National Energy Systems Modelling, you will have knowledge of energy systems, that may include production, transmission, distribution and consumption as well as broad experience in mathematical modelling, processing and interpreting data, and a basic understanding of the regulatory and policy environment relevant to energy planning.

Excited by the opportunity to work within one of the UK’s leading innovation hubs, you will thrive in a collaborative environment where you will work on projects that bring together a variety of professionals from different disciplines and sectors including external stakeholders.

Summary of Core Responsibilities

• Development and deployment of strategic energy planning tools including interpretation and communication of the outputs
• Building key stakeholder relationships i.e. external clients and internal clients e.g. Platforms
• Line management of other team members, if required

Key Work Activities

A Senior Modelling Analyst in the team typically carries out the following tasks:

Development and deployment of strategic energy planning tools:

• Support Local Area Modelling and National Modelling teams with use of energy planning tools including providing advice on:
• Day-to-day operation of tools
• Development and selection of input data including understanding of the most appropriate data, data sources, data collection methods, gap analyses etc.

Stakeholder relationship building and tool output communication:

• Support communication of strategic planning tool outputs and interpretations to relevant stakeholders including Central and Regional Government, Local Authorities, Network Operators and wider industry bodies.

Liaison with wider Catapult:

• Provide support to other Catapult projects where required and feedback on insights.

In addition to the tasks undertaken by a Snr Modelling Analyst, the Senior Modelling Consultant would be expected to carry out the following tasks:

Development and deployment of strategic energy planning tools:

• Act as and/or support the Technical Lead in the delivery of local- and national-level projects, as well as working with other teams and capabilities on their projects as required.
• Understanding the strengths and limitations of the tools being used in interpreting the outputs appropriately
• Support tool development strategy including:
• Contributing to Product strategy
• Lead on technical aspects of delivery of those strategies
• Identifying, scoping and providing advice on tool modifications
• Provide quality assurance on understanding and interpretation of outputs from strategic planning tools and advice on validation of model outputs
• Support the identification, proposal and delivery of local and national energy systems modelling related internal capability development projects
• Support the Modelling Team’s Business Leader in delivery of the Business Plan and revenue targets, if applicable
• Contribute to the development of the knowledge base, communications material and presentation of the Catapult’s knowledge to key partners
• Coach and mentor others within the Modelling Team to support the development of individuals and the Catapult’s capability

Stakeholder relationship building and communication:

• Provide advice in development of methodology and capability to engage with stakeholders and build consensus including engagement with Local Authorities throughout the process of developing, populating and using the tools
• Assessing the quality of work undertaken by outside suppliers with the aim of supporting the development of the energy planning tools, and the validation and interpretation of their inputs and outputs
• Help to gain consensus around, and approval of, the technical aspects of strategic plans

Liaison with the wider Catapult

• Liaise with other Catapult departments to share learning, methodologies, data sources, etc., and to align on Catapult positions
• Line manage others within the team and support their personal and professional development, if required

What credentials are we ideally looking for?

For a Snr Modelling Analyst, we’re looking for the following skills:

Essential:

• Experience in relevant software packages and programming languages which may include Python, SQL, Geographic Information System (GIS) software (such as ArcGIS or QGIS), Excel and cloud-based development such as using Amazon Web Services (AWS). We do not expect candidates to be familiar with all of these, but you should demonstrate experience of some and willingness and ability to learn the others.
• Excellent numeracy skills – previous experience in data analysis, modelling and programming, demonstrating the ability to analyse and manipulate large data sets with an ability to explain complex analysis and issues to others
• Self-motivated with ability to take initiative and work to deadlines with limited supervision.
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and respond positively to changing priorities
• Effective communication with internal and external clients.

Desirable:

• Business development and client-facing experience gained from a consultancy background
• Experience/ knowledge of the energy sector would be an advantage

Qualifications:

• Relevant degree in maths/physics/engineering or a geography with experience in data analysis.

In addition to the skills of a Snr Modelling Analyst, we would be expecting the Senior Modelling Consultant to have the following:

Essential

Working knowledge of key areas of the energy system including:

• Key sources of energy supply and demand and approaches to decarbonising them.
• An understanding of the role of energy networks
• Familiarity with some approaches to different levels of energy planning which may include national, regional or local area energy planning.
• Client facing experience, able to lead, facilitate and persuade through your personal credibility and approach. Able to build relationships with external stakeholder such as Local Authorities, Energy Networks, Regional and National Governments.
• Experience specifying, directing and interpreting relevant whole systems analysis. Able to anticipate requirements, consider implications and work effectively with others to identify productive routes forward and resolve issues in a timely manner with consideration of the wider needs of the team.
• Strong communication skills: with an ability to produce clear, compelling, concise and accurate written documentation; deliver engaging and informative presentations; and provide reasoned and persuasive arguments and explanations.
• Strong inter-personal skills – articulate and able to work with a diverse team of colleagues with backgrounds across science, engineering, business, and policy.

Desirable:

• Direct experience of research, development and demonstration activities in the energy sector is highly desirable.
• Experience generating commercial opportunities.
• Confident at constructively challenging the established norms and an ability to ask the difficult questions whilst maintaining relationships.
• Business Development and client-facing experience gained from a consultancy background.
• Interest / experience in line managing other team members.

Qualifications:

• STEM related first or higher degree (MSc/PhD), or significant and demonstrable previous experience in a relevant role.