Postdoctoral Researcher, Maximising the Flexibility of Energy Consumption in Ireland (FlexECon) J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, Ref. No. University of Galway 056-24

27 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Galway

Research Field

Economics » Business economics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

15 Mar 2024 – 17:00 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

39

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

University of Galway 056-24

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, fixed term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher with the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at the University of Galway, Ireland.  

The successful candidate will be part of a project team comprising researchers from the University of Galway, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Energy Policy Research Centre, and the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit on a project entitled Maximising the Flexibility of Energy Consumption in Ireland (FlexECon). This position is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and is available from April 2024 for a fixed term of three years. 

Job Description: 

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Jason Harold and join a team of energy economists and behavioural scientists exploring aspects of energy consumption and behaviour. The project will leverage data provided by an energy supplier to identify the extent with which consumers respond to time-of-use pricing, informational signals and their combination. New informational incentives will be examined alongside Time of Use (ToU) tariffs in monitoring and field experiments. In addition, quasi-experimental methods will be employed to identify the effects of separate stimuli on energy consumption as well as the instruments that maximise price responsiveness.  

 

The research team is highly motivated and we seek equally motivated candidates. The workplan has been formulated with a view to publishing high-quality articles in top-ranking economics journals. Also, there is potential scope for the candidate to explore aspects of consumer behaviour that they deem to be of importance.  

 

The candidate will have opportunities to disseminate their research findings to stakeholders, both in industry and to relevant government departments.  

 

Duties:  

 

• Collaborate with the team to develop experimental and quasi-experimental research designs to investigate the impact of various stimuli on energy consumption 

• Oversee data collection processes and coordinate with the energy supplier for data acquisition. 

• Conduct econometric analysis of the data provided using appropriate methods 

• Write high quality research reports and research papers for publication in top-level outlets 

• Present research findings at national and international conferences, workshops and seminars 

• Participate in new funding opportunities, such as the development and writing of proposals  

• Mentor PhD students and research assistants involved in the project. 

• Contribute to the management and reporting requirements of the project 

• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post  

 

Qualifications/Skills required:  

 

Essential Requirements: 

• PhD (completed or thesis submitted) in Economics or a closely related discipline 

• Record of publication in Economics or a closely related discipline 

• Evidence of excellent econometric skills 

• Strong computer and coding skills 

• Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills, with a view to writing high-quality journal articles  

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in teams and on their own initiative 

• Strong coordination, organisational and management skills 

• Be a motivated self-starter, as well as being focused and exacting in their work ethic 

• Ability to present and communicate research findings to non-technical and technical audiences 

 

Desirable Requirements: 

• Experience with, or interest in, field experiments 

• Experience using experimental and/or quasi-experimental methods 

• Interest in policy related research, particularly in the area of energy economics 

• Good record of service to, and participation in, the academic community 

• Evidence of research project management 

  

Salary Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €42,782 – €54,965 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.  

 

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.  

 

Research Salary Scales – University of Galway).  

 

Start date: Position is available from April 2024 

 

Continuing Professional Development/Training: 

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE  for further information. 

 

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway  

 

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie   

 

Further information about research at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics is available at Environment and Marine and for the Centre for Economic Research on Inclusivity and Sustainability (CERIS) is available at CERIS . 

 

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Dr. Jason Harold 

([email protected] ) 

 

To Apply: 

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Jason Harold: [email protected]  

Please put reference number University of Galway 056-24 in subject line of e-mail application. 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) Friday 15th March 

Interviews are planned to be held in April 2024 

University of Galway reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post. 

University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer. 

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment  

Requirements

Research Field

Economics » Business economics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Desirable Requirements: 

• Experience with, or interest in, field experiments 

• Experience using experimental and/or quasi-experimental methods 

• Interest in policy related research, particularly in the area of energy economics 

• Good record of service to, and participation in, the academic community 

• Evidence of research project management 

Specific Requirements

Essential Requirements: 

• PhD (completed or thesis submitted) in Economics or a closely related discipline 

• Record of publication in Economics or a closely related discipline 

• Evidence of excellent econometric skills 

• Strong computer and coding skills 

• Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills, with a view to writing high-quality journal articles  

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in teams and on their own initiative 

• Strong coordination, organisational and management skills 

• Be a motivated self-starter, as well as being focused and exacting in their work ethic 

• Ability to present and communicate research findings to non-technical and technical audiences 

Internal Application form(s) needed
Advert 056-24.pdf
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Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Galway

Country

Ireland

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Ireland

City

Galway

Website

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/

Street

University Road

Postal Code

H91 TK33

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED