Senior Researcher: Energy Efficiency and Demand Response at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher in the Energy Research Centre within the Smart Centre cluster. Working within the Energy Supply and Demand Research Group, the researcher will focus on conducting research and development in the field of Energy Efficiency and Demand Response providing innovative solutions designed to modify, control and influence the demand for energy by consumers thereby optimizing the energy system, reduce energy usage and cost to decarbonise and improve the competitiveness of the South African economy. This position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

Technical:

• Formulate and conduct research in energy efficiency and demand response
• Able to conduct energy audits, measure and verify energy savings based on international standards and protocols.
• Conduct and supervise research studies related to energy demand forecasting/modelling, performance measurement of energy efficiency and demand response technologies and strategies.
• Modeling and piloting of energy efficiency and demand response solutions
• Provide technical advisory services to government, industry, and other stakeholders.

Communication

• Collect data and generate research papers and reports.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate results of studies.
• Establish collaborative networks and engage in cross-cluster projects within the CSIR
• Establish new and maintain existing agreements, relationships and partnerships with other research organisations working on topics aligned to this research area.

Management

• Assist in forming the research agenda/plan for the research area
• Assist in identifying opportunities, developing proposals, and attracting and securing external contract R&D income for the research area.
• Manage research contracts to ensure adherence to brief, budget and schedule.
• Ensure development of self and other researchers through coaching, mentoring, work assignment, structured training and appropriate supervision in order to maximise human potential in line with the needs of the organisation.
• Provide general project management (updating and tracking budgets and tasks, managing and leading project tasks)

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A master’s degree in engineering (Electrical, mechanical or chemical engineering);
• Certified professional qualifications such as CEM, CEA, CMVP etc
• At least five years’ relevant experience in energy efficiency or energy management from Industry/Research/Consultancy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of energy end-use technologies such as building controls, motors, lighting, hot water heating and HVAC systems
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of energy efficiency protocols, programme design and implementation.
• A good understanding of the link between energy efficiency and demand response
• A good understanding of the use of energy efficiency as an environmental and sustainability compliance strategy.
• An understanding of various energy efficiency business and funding models
• Familiar with energy efficiency data management systems and software
• Familiar with energy efficiency policies and incentives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report or certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA