Research Assistant – CAPACITY

The Energy Policy and Modelling Group (EPMG) has been engaged in energy policy and energy modelling research for over 20 years. The results of this research have been published in journal papers, conference proceedings and reports which have directly informed the development of national and European energy and climate mitigation policy. The Climate Action Pathways & Absorptive Capacity (CAPACITY) project is funded by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) for 5 years. The objectives of the project are to i) develop and maintain a suite of energy system models to contribute to the evidence base for Irish climate and energy policy and ii) to support absorptive capacity building across relevant government departments, agencies, and semi-state bodies.

The Research Assistant will provide a key support role to both the CAPACITY project and the Energy Policy and Modelling Group within MaREI. The Research Assistant will be responsible for supporting the co-ordination of the CAPACITY research programme, project reporting and engagement activities with relevant government departments, agencies, and semi-state bodies. The candidate will be required to build close working relationships with the research team and government stakeholders and to implement efficient and effective project management standards across the Energy Policy and Modelling Group.

MaREI is a key research centre within UCC’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI) which is an internationally recognised Institute for environmental research dedicated to the understanding and protection of our natural environment and to developing innovative technologies, tools and services to facilitate a transformation to a zero carbon and resource efficient society. The MaREI Centre is an SFI funded research centre headquartered in the ERI and includes 13 other Universities and Third Level Institutes from across Ireland, has 103 industrial partners and has research funding of approximately €60m. It combines the expertise of a wide range of research groups and industry partners, with the shared mission of solving the main scientific, technical and socio-economic challenges across the climate, energy and marine spaces.  MaREI is also funded by SEAI, EI, EPA, ERDF, EU, HEA, Marine Institute, DCCAE and IRC, as well as through contributions from our industry partners. Researchers in the MaREI Centre have over 30 years of experience in conducting fundamental and applied research supported by competitively won national and international funding, and commercial contracts with government agencies and industry. MaREI’s strengths lie in the multi-disciplinary nature of its research teams, allowing it to combine insights across areas such as Offshore Renewable Energy, Materials & Structures, Observations & Operations, Coastal & Marine Systems, Biofuels in the Circular Economy, Energy Policy & Modelling and Energy Management.