Job Description

Job Title:

Research Associate in Power Systems Engineering

Posting Start Date:

31/10/2025

Job Id:

1817

School/Department:

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

38,784.00

Closing Date:

28/11/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

We are seeking to appoint a Research Associate in Power Systems Engineering. You will play a key role in developing advanced modelling and simulation techniques for power systems, with a particular focus on the integration of transport electrification into electrical power systems. You will work in the interdisciplinary research fields of power, energy, and transport systems, contributing to our mission of developing net-zero energy and transport systems that play a major role in addressing future societal needs.



This post is funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship: 'Digitalisation of Electrical Power and Energy Systems Operation'. This is an exciting research project with strong collaboration that brings together the leading partners from academia and industry, including the power system operator, renewable energy operator and EPSRC academic communities. You will be based in the Sheffield Control and Power System Laboratory, led by Prof Xin Zhang.

Main duties and responsibilities

You will develop models and tools for power system modelling and analysis, with strong motivation to extend your work in transport modelling and electrification technologies. You will demonstrate the integrated and coordinated transport-power systems control, on a simulation platform with case studies in the Control and Power Systems Lab. You will prepare high-quality articles for publication in journals and technical reports for meeting the project reporting requirements. You will prepare and deliver presentations to a range of audiences, and lead on a series of public outreach activities such as co-organisation of workshops, help at several planned major international conferences. You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the 'Sheffield Academic'. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University's achievements as a whole. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Hold or be close to completion of a PhD degree in power systems, transport, electrical engineering or a closely related discipline.


Essential


Application


Research experience in power, energy, transport and aviation. Specifically regarding at least one of the below topics:
Power system modelling, analysis and control Transport system modelling Energy management strategies and integrated control systems in transport Energy systems flexibility, resilience and security



Essential


Application/Interview


Experience in developing software to a high standard using a range of computer languages and tools, ideally for applications involving the modelling, simulation and analysis of the large, complex and dynamic systems.


Essential


Application/Interview


Experience of publishing in peer-reviewed journals


Essential


Application/Interview


Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing publications/reports and presenting your findings to a range of audiences


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to work effectively within a team environment including individuals both internal and external to the University


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to plan own workload and prioritise conflicting deadlines


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to make decisions and apply creative approaches to solving complex technical problems


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to effectively organise scientific workshops at an international conference and to lead on a series of outreach activities (for example, International Women in Engineering Day and British Science Week).


Desirable


Application


Experience of working in an interdisciplinary research team.


Desirable


Application

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

38,784 - 41,064

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

1 April 2026 - 31 July 2027

Line manager

Professor Xin Zhang

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eee


For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Xin Zhang, Professor in Control and Power Systems on

xin.zhang1@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitme

nt process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in December 2025. This will consist of a presentation and a Q&A session. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 9 December 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact eee-operations@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways. A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.