New job opportunity: Climate Intelligence for Energy Forecasting Associate (CIEFA)

[David Brayshaw]

Dear Openmodders,

 

Advertising a new post in the Energy-Meteorology research group at the University of Reading.  Will particularly be of interest to anyone wishing to explore subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting for decision-making in the energy sector.  PhD in relevant subject likely to be an advantage but not essential.

 

Best wishes,

 

David

 

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Job title: Climate Intelligence for Energy Forecasting Associate (CIEFA)

Full details and application form: https://jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=24334

Applications close 19^th May 2025

 

The University of Reading’s Meteorology Department is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic individual to develop and embed the use of sub-seasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) climate forecasts in decision-making. Utilising outputs from a new state-of-the-art hybrid machine-learning forecast system, the Associate will develop tools, methods and understanding of how S2S information can be used to provide actionable market intelligence, embedding this know-how into day-to-day business operations and decision-making at British Gas, a leading UK energy supplier. A generous dedicated training budget and support package is provided, and the Associate can expect to emerge as an industry leader in the business applications of S2S forecasting in the energy sector.

 

Weather is a key source of risk for energy systems. The transformation of the energy sector – including the electrification of heating and increasing dependence on renewables – means that the need for high-quality forecast information to mitigate the physical and financial impact of weather has never been greater. S2S forecasts offer exciting new opportunities for addressing these risks yet the use of forecasts in applications beyond a few days-ahead remains limited. The goal of this project will be to embed the application of state-of-the-art forecast information directly into day-to-day business decision-making, helping to manage risk for millions of customers. This is a professional post – not a “research project” – but you can expect to publish and disseminate your work both internally within the business and externally via open access journals, datasets, code and conferences.

 

You will have: 

• Strong commitment and ability to engage in applied research within an industrial setting
• Scientific analytical/research skills relevant to the mathematical and physical sciences
• Scientific computing and programming skills
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Knowledge of relevant climate science / weather prediction methods
• A PhD is not a requirement for the post but may be a significant advantage

 

This position forms part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) part funded by Innovate UK. The Associate will be lead-supervised by Professor David Brayshaw and will become part of the Energy-Meteorology research group within Meteorology Department at the University of Reading. The project will, however, strongly focussed on embedding S2S forecasts into ‘real’ business decision making processes. On a day-to-day basis, the Associate will therefore be directly embedded as part of the Energy Demand Forecasting Team, led by Jake Mammatt, at British Gas (based in their Windsor office). 

 

Further details and application form available here: https://jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=24334