Lead Research Engineer

EDF UK Research and Development (R&D) is an integral part of the Group R&D network and is responsible for leading research and development activities in the UK, right across EDF, enabling us to be ready for the challenges that lie ahead. The team are advancing research in the fields of Nuclear, Renewables, Energy Systems, Flexibility and Storage, Zero Emissions Mobility and Smart Digital Technologies.

The Renewables Team is a highly skilled international multidisciplinary team which focuses on reducing costs and risks associated with renewables projects launched by EDF Group across the world by developing high value, novel solutions with a strong focus on offshore wind.

We are looking for a talented Lead Research Engineer to join the Renewables Team at EDF UK R&D team to play a pivotal role in leading, managing and delivering cutting edge research activities focused on metocean-related development activities and processes for offshore wind. The role will entail close working with internal clients and providing timely and targeted R&D support to the different EDF Group Renewables business units in the UK, France and the US. A key part of the role involves forward-looking and anticipating future offshore wind challenges and opportunities and designing innovative R&D project proposals that target identified opportunities. The interdisciplinary nature and wide scope of the role will provide excellent opportunities for career advancement, personal and professional development and networking within the wider global EDF Group.

As the Lead Research Engineer, you will take a leading role in managing and delivering cutting edge research activities that will enable improved and more cost-effective metocean-related development activities and processes for offshore wind.

In this role, you will support a team of research engineers delivering complex system modelling and design, data analysis and reporting. As the Lead Engineer, you will take responsibility for reporting and communicating the project results to various internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that the information is communicated clearly and concisely. Another important aspect of the role involves forward-looking and anticipating future offshore wind challenges and opportunities and designing innovative R&D project proposals that target identified opportunities. The interdisciplinary nature and wide scope of the role will provide excellent opportunities for career advancement, personal and professional development and networking within the wider global EDF Group

You will be part of a highly skilled team of research engineers working with various business units in EDF (and EDF Group), UK and international academia and other stakeholders to deliver complex R&D solutions aligned with EDF Group objectives. You will be expected to take the lead on developing and applying for projects, as well as in maintaining a relevant professional network of collaborations.

You’ll contribute to these projects by supporting a team of research engineers delivering complex system modelling and design, data analysis and reporting. As a Lead Research Engineer, you will be accountable for reporting and communicating the project results to various internal and external stakeholders.

Day-to-day:

• Lead the work package relevant to offshore wind metocean activities. For example: covering challenges in observational datasets and equipment (e.g. LiDAR, SAR, buoys), to uncertainties in data collection from observations to models and finally to modelling wake effects.
• Build and maintain close working relationships with internal stakeholders and project sponsors, R&D colleagues both UK and internal, and with strategic partner organisations.
• Lead, manage and carry out site trials of new technology solutions at UK offshore wind sites owned by the developer, EDF Renewables.
• Identify, coordinate and participate in collaborative research projects with UK and international academics and/or industrial partners in support of the needs of the different global EDF Group Renewables Business units in an offshore wind context, bringing together different stakeholders, influencing the direction of these projects to create value for EDF Group and supporting the dissemination of major project results.
• Regular reporting to senior leaders as well as more widely to colleagues across R&D and beyond on project progress and outcomes.
• In coordination with work package leader counterparts at EDF Renewables, the role entails taking the lead on the ideation, shortlisting and budgeting of yearly R&D programmes of work that address immediate and long-term challenges and opportunities facing the business. Ad hoc support to the POWER offshore wind project leader to help with preparing project updates and with wider project management responsibilities.
• Working with other international R&D centers and with colleagues from a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds.

The Person

You will report directly to the Head of Renewables, who provides you with strategic direction and a tailored plan for your career development.

Working in an international environment, you will be asked to lead and deliver high quality industrial and research studies by interfacing with key internal and external stakeholders. This will involve being part of the Renewables Team within the EDF UK R&D and being expected to closely work with different EDF Group Renewables Business units in the UK, France and US. Taking up this position will likely to lead to other attractive opportunities in the future for career advancement within the different business units of EDF Group.

The nature of the R&D UK and its proximity to EDF Renewables, EDF France and EDF Energy Business Units require flexibility, adaptability and networking capabilities to ensure that the Business Units priorities are fully considered and reflected.

To be successful in this role, you will have an excellent knowledge of the technologies and the key challenges for this sector is essential. You will demonstrate good knowledge in some of the following topics:

• Quantify and reduce uncertainties in metocean data
• Improving metocean measurements
• Modelling and simulation of metocean conditions
• Agile support given to EDF-R clients to support bids to tender.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement cutting-edge solutions to enhance the resilience and performances of our renewable assets and support the wider offshore wind activities of EDF Group R&D and EDF Group Renewables business units in the UK, France and US including the provision of technical consultancy advice.
• Lead and deliver Metocean R&D projects that frequently involves piloting technical discussions, project scoping (including financial), kick off activities and supporting project leads and technical contributors with performing their duties.
• Driving the development of new project ideas and innovations that will reduce cost, risk and uncertainties of offshore metocean activities.
• Direct supervision, coaching and mentoring of interns and staff joining on temporary contracts (e.g. industrial placement students and VIEs).
• Support, and in some instances to take a leading role, with preparing project proposals for external grant funding competitions.
• Responsible for interfacing with external academic partners, public organizations, and internal stakeholders at various levels to ensure relevant information is gathered and presented.

The skills

Essential:

• Ph.D in Offshort Renewable Energy, or a closely related field and/or extensive experience in research projects related to Renewables and MetOcean activities.
• In depth understanding in the field of offshore wind with experience in offshore wind.
• Strong project management (including financial reporting) skills, ensuring timely and successful project delivery.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to convey complex scientific information to diverse stakeholders, and to report project results effectively.
• Ability to collaborate with internal teams, industry partners, research institutions, and other stakeholders to drive collaborative and impactful research.
• Able to work independently and in teams.
• Evidence of delivery of project/research work and making an impact.

Desirable:

• Extensive experience in developing innovative solutions to engineering challenges
• Strong competencies in data analysis and in wind and wave measurement technologies.
• Excellent programming skills, knowledge and experience (in Python, Matlab, R, and others)
• Experience working in an international professional environmental / excellent cross-cultural communication skills
• A passion for renewable energy

Competencies and Experience

Essential:   

• Strong multitasking and parallel development abilities.
• Able to work under competing, quickly changing priorities, manage expectations effectively and support the team under pressure.
• Skills in building and maintaining a professional network of collaborations, both nationally and internationally.

Desirable:

• Understanding the UK and European renewable energy landscape 
• French language skills

Closing date for applications: Thursday 23rd January