Energy Systems Catapult

Salary Range: Senior Modelling Consultant (52k -58k per annum FTE) & Senior Modelling Analyst (36-40k per annum FTE)

Status: Permanent /Full-time preferable (requests for part-time/flexible working arrangements are welcome)

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:

1. Development & 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.

2 . 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.

3. 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:

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

Employee Benefits:

Annual leave 28 days plus bank holidays (FTE) + Buy/Sell holidays Buy/sell holiday – maximum 1 week based on contracted hours + Pension 2 for 1 contribution via salary sacrifice scheme up to 10% + Discretionary bonus scheme + Recognition scheme to celebrate “above and beyond”+ EV Scheme Salary sacrifice + Cycle2work Salary sacrifice + Life assurance 4 x salary + Health Cash Back Plan + Retail and gym discounts + Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 phoneline and 6 free counselling sessions + Snacks and drinks + Annual company off-site event.

Flexible working options for eligible employees = (Sabbatical/Compressed/Staggered/Flexible hours) + Working within a hybrid office attendance model with the expectation of being in the office at least 1 day a week + and:

Maternity Leave = (100% 13 weeks / 50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks/Unpaid leave for 13 weeks)

Adoption Leave = (100% 13 weeks/50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks/Unpaid leave for 13 weeks)

Paternity Leave = (100% 2 weeks)

Shared Parental Leave = (100% 10 weeks/50% 13 weeks/SP 13 weeks)

Would you like to Apply?

When applying, please state the grade that you wish to be considered for and how you meet the criteria of that grade. When assessing applications, it may be that you are also considered for other grades - this will be communicated to you if you are invited for interview.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 23rd July 2025

Please note that at this time we are unable to provide UK visa sponsorship.

We welcome applications from all, including those who may be returning to work, those wishing to work flexibly for any reason, and those who may need additional support.

Energy Systems Catapult undertakes innovative and exciting work that will help shape the future of energy, with this in mind we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible, as we do reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

(Strictly No Agencies).

"We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion and belief, sexual orientation, or status regarding gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity."

Privacy Statement

Purpose of the Privacy Statement

The purpose of this Privacy Statement is to make you aware of how and why your personal data will be used during any recruitment process and how long it will usually be retained for. This statement provides you with certain information that must be provided under the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) (GDPR).

In the recruitment process we, Energy Systems Catapult Limited, are a “Data Controller”. This means that we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal data about you.

The Energy Systems Catapult Limited is located at Cannon House 7th Floor, 18 Priory Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, B4 6BS and can be contacted by email at: dataprotectionoffice@es.catapult.org.uk.

Data Protection Principles

We will comply with data protection law and principles, which means that your data will be:

Used lawfully, fairly and in a transparent way;

Collected only for valid purposes that we have clearly explained to you and not used in any way that is incompatible with those purposes;

Relevant to the purposes we have told you about and limited only to those purposes;

Accurate and kept up to date;

Kept only as long as necessary for the purposes we have told you about;

Kept securely.

The Kind of Personal Data we hold about you

In connection with your application for work with us, we will collect, store and use the following categories of personal information about you:

The information you have provided in our application form;

The information you have provided to us in your curriculum vitae and covering letter;

Any information you provide to us during an interview;

Any other information provided by you as part of the recruitment process.

We may ask you for information to allow us to monitor our equal opportunities and diversity performance in recruitment. Also, if you inform us that you have a disability we will keep this information on record to allow us to make reasonable adjustments as needed.

How we will use your Personal Data

We will use the personal data we collect about you to:

Assess your skills, qualifications and suitability for the role;

Carry out background and reference checks, where applicable;

Communicate with you about the recruitment process;

Keep records relating to our hiring processes;

Manage recruitment related activities, which includes setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes;

Comply with legal or regulatory requirements.

We will also use information about any disability you may have to consider whether we need to provide appropriate adjustments during the recruitment process.

Such processing is lawful as it is necessary for our legitimate purpose in seeking to attract, evaluate, and select applicants for employment.

Data Sharing: Greenhouse Software Inc

Your personal data will be shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by us to help manage our recruitment and hiring process. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, your personal data will be transferred to the United States once you submit it through this site. This transfer will be subject to appropriate additional safeguards under the Privacy Shield so as to comply with EU law.

Data Retention

We will retain your personal data for a period of 12 months after we have communicated to you our decision about whether to appoint you to the role. We retain your personal data for that period so that we can show, in the event of a legal claim, that we have not discriminated against candidates on prohibited grounds and that we have conducted the recruitment exercise in a fair and transparent way. After this period, we will securely destroy your personal data in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Your Rights in Connection with Personal Data

Under the GDPR you have the right to request access to your personal data, to request that your personal data be rectified or erased, and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted or transferred.

When you apply for this role, and tick the confirmation box below, you have provided consent for us to process your personal data for the purpose of the recruitment exercise. You have the right to withdraw your consent for processing for that purpose at any time. Withdrawal of consent to process your data may mean that we cannot continue with your application to us.

If you wish to exercise the rights granted to you under GDPR please contact: dataprotectionoffice@es.catapult.org.uk.

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