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Renewable Energy Scientist

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Primary Secondary Post-16

A Renewable Energy Scientist researches and develops technologies to generate electricity from sustainable sources like wind, solar, tidal and bioenergy. They test new materials, model performance, and evaluate environmental and economic impacts. Work settings include universities, research institutes, energy companies and government organisations. Skills in data analysis, laboratory work, programming and project management are valuable. The role combines scientific investigation with practical application to improve efficiency, reduce costs and support policy development for a cleaner energy system in the United Kingdom.

Renewable Energy Scientist

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📊 Statistics

UK salary range

Typical early career salaries range from 28,000 to 42,000 pounds per year, with experienced scientists earning 45,000 to 70,000 pounds annually depending on role and location.

Headcount and demand

The UK expects steady demand for renewable energy specialists as the sector expands, with thousands of roles across academia, industry and public bodies projected over the next decade.

Entry requirements

Most roles require a in depth degree in a relevant field such as physics, chemistry, engineering or environmental science, with many positions offering MSc or PhD pathways for research focused careers.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Battery Scientist

Specialise in developing energy storage systems for renewables by researching new battery chemistries and improving performance for grid and transport applications

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Solar Project Analyst

Analyse solar energy schemes from feasibility to delivery, assessing costs, performance forecasts and environmental impact for commercial and residential installations

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Wind Turbine Engineer

Design and optimise wind turbine components and systems, including blades and controls, to boost efficiency and reliability for offshore and onshore projects

Stage 1: Foundations

Gain relevant qualifications

Complete a degree in a related field such as Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Electrical Engineering. Consider pursuing a master’s degree or MSc in renewable energy or a linked discipline.

Aim for coursework and projects that cover energy systems, thermodynamics, materials science, data analysis, and lab work. Build a strong mathematical and coding foundation as this will be used in modelling and simulations.

Acquire practical exposure

Participate in laboratory work, internships, or summer placements with energy companies, universities, or research institutions to gain hands-on experience.

Seek opportunities to work on solar cell testing, wind turbine performance analysis, or energy storage experiments. Document projects in a portfolio to show during applications.

Develop a research mindset

Develop critical thinking, experimental design, and data interpretation skills. Learn to review literature and identify knowledge gaps.

Practice formulating hypotheses, planning controlled experiments, and communicating findings clearly through reports and presentations.

Stage 2: Specialisation

Choose a renewable focus

Decide on a speciality such as solar photovoltaics, wind energy, energy storage, bioenergy, or grid integration.

Explore the latest research and industry demand to align with your interests and career goals. Consider the societal impact and regulatory environment of your chosen area.

Engage in targeted projects

Work on projects or theses that align with your chosen focus to build depth of knowledge and a strong portfolio.

Collaborate with supervisors, publish findings if possible, and present at conferences or student research events to gain visibility.

Learn advanced tools

Become proficient with simulation and analytical tools used in energy research such as MATLAB, Python, COMSOL, or HOMER.

Take online courses or short courses to deepen software skills and data analysis capabilities that are in demand in the field.

Stage 3: Professional Experience

Secure industry or academic roles

Apply for graduate roles, postdoctoral positions, or researcher roles within universities, national labs, or energy companies.

Networks, internships, and recommendations can help. Tailor your CV to highlight research impact, technical competencies, and project outcomes.

Contribute to collaborative projects

Work with multidisciplinary teams on real world energy challenges, such as reducing cost per kWh or improving lifecycle performance.

Document collaborative results, share data openly when appropriate, and seek cross disciplinary training to broaden your skill set.

Develop publication and presentation skills

Publish research findings in journals or conference proceedings and present to technical and non technical audiences.

Strong communication helps in securing funding, influencing policy, and advancing careers within industry or academia.

Stage 4: Career Maturity and Impact

Lead research projects or programs

Take ownership of research directions, manage budgets, and mentor junior researchers or interns.

Develop a track record of delivering innovative energy solutions, and build a professional reputation in your field.

Influence policy and industry practice

Work with policymakers, industry bodies, or standards organisations to influence energy strategies and technical guidelines.

Translate technical findings into practical recommendations and evidence based policy proposals.

Continued learning and adaptation

Keep up to date with evolving technologies, regulatory changes, and market needs to stay at the cutting edge.

Attend conferences, pursue ongoing training, and consider professional qualifications such as chartership where relevant.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Renewable Energy Scientist. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

Both roles rely on physics and engineering fundamentals to understand and optimise energy systems. A Renewable Energy Scientist typically conducts research, modelling and feasibility studies to advance renewable technologies, which closely mirrors the design, analyse and deployment focus of a Renewable Energy Engineer.

How to become

You can get into this job by studying for a degree qualification.

University

You can do a degree in an engineering or a scientific subject. Some employers might expect you to have a postgraduate qualification.

Relevant subjects include:

  • energy engineering
  • Earth sciences
  • environmental engineering
  • geophysics
  • renewable or sustainable energy

Getting work experience during your studies through a summer internship or year placement scheme can give you an advantage when you start looking for work.

Your university careers service can help you find opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Energy Institute for training and professional development opportunities. You can also apply for chartered engineer status, for recognition of your skills and expertise in the industry.

Further information

You can find out more about working in renewable energy from:

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