Key Points
- The University of East London (UEL), known as “The People’s University,” is recruiting a Renewable Energy Technician for its Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) to support the London Renewable Energy Demonstrator Lab (LREL).
- LREL is a flagship clean energy system integrating solar panels, wind systems, battery storage, advanced digital monitoring, and microgrid infrastructure.
- The role involves hands-on assembly, testing, maintenance, optimisation of renewable components, weather station integration, data capture, and retrofit activities.
- Candidates need a degree in engineering or renewable energy (or equivalent experience), skills in interpreting CAD drawings, P&ID diagrams, electrical schematics, and experience with solar, wind, battery systems, microgrids, H&S compliance, and PCB handling.
- UEL offers a competitive salary (dependent on experience), comprehensive benefits, and emphasises inclusivity, equality, diversity, with awards like Stonewall membership and Athena Swan.
- UEL’s Vision 2028 strategy focuses on social mobility, sustainability, and future-proof skills; recognised as University of the Year for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
- SRI has over two decades of eco-efficient innovation across Blue/Green Infrastructure, Sustainable Materials and Resources, and Sustainable Society themes.
What Is the Role of the Renewable Energy Technician at UEL’s LREL?
According to the UEL job description published on their careers page, the technician will
“assemble, install, test and maintain renewable energy components, including solar panels, batteries, wind systems and IoT hardware.”
This hands-on position demands direct involvement in the LREL’s daily operations. Responsibilities extend to supporting the installation and integration of weather stations into the microgrid for seamless functionality. The role also includes assisting in the manufacture, development, and optimisation of new renewable energy devices and prototypes.
The posting further states that the technician will
“work closely with students and researchers, supporting experiments, training and project work,”
ensuring compliance with safety standards, system protocols, and lab procedures.
Data collection forms a core duty, with the technician tasked to
“support data collection, hardware monitoring and performance analysis to aid research studies.”
Retrofit strategies for integrating renewable technologies into existing infrastructure round out the responsibilities, positioning the role at the heart of practical sustainability advancements.
What Qualifications Does UEL Require for This Technician Position?
As outlined in the UEL recruitment advert, successful candidates must bring
“a degree in engineering, renewable energy or a related technical field, or equivalent hands-on experience.”
Technical proficiency is paramount. Applicants need “confidence interpreting CAD drawings, P&ID diagrams and electrical schematics,” alongside “hands-on experience with solar, wind, battery systems, or microgrid technologies.” A “strong understanding of H&S, system compliance and PCB handling” is essential, complemented by “excellent troubleshooting skills” for rapid issue diagnosis.
Soft skills feature prominently too. The ideal candidate possesses “strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise multiple workstreams,” a “collaborative mindset and the confidence to work with researchers, technicians, students and external stakeholders,” and “excellent communication and interpersonal skills.” UEL seeks individuals with a “proactive, positive attitude,” capable of independent and team-based work, and a “commitment to equality, inclusivity and professional best practice in a diverse research environment.”
How Does UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute Support This Role?
From the UEL website’s SRI overview, the institute “has driven pioneering eco-efficient innovation” for over two decades, contributing to “nationally and internationally funded research projects, consultancy work, industry collaboration and commercialisation.”
SRI’s work spans three strategic themes: Blue/Green Infrastructure for nature-based resilience; Sustainable Materials and Resources for low-carbon solutions; and Sustainable Society for behavioural and governance changes. The LREL technician will integrate into this
“multidisciplinary research community dedicated to tackling global sustainability challenges through science, engineering and applied innovation.”
UEL frames SRI as building “a strong reputation for real-world environmental impact,” with the technician enabling system integration, performance monitoring, and prototype development within these themes.
What Benefits Does UEL Offer to the Renewable Energy Technician?
UEL’s benefits section in the job posting links to a full package at https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-positions, promising a “genuinely competitive salary, dependent on experience (DOE), and a range of excellent benefits.”
Beyond salary, UEL highlights an “outstanding work environment and inclusive culture.” As an equal-opportunities employer with Stonewall membership and Athena Swan awards, the university commits to “closing the diversity pay gap” and values disability-confident hiring. Applicants requiring “reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process” are encouraged to disclose needs.
The institution invites
“versatile individuals who are committed to advancing their careers while making a positive impact on the world,”
aligning perks with its social mobility ethos.
Why Is UEL Launching This Recruitment Amid Its Broader Mission?
UEL’s “About” page describes its mission as preparing “students for the careers of the future while shaping that future inclusively and sustainably,” earning its nickname “The People’s University” for widening access to technical learning.
Founded with industry-focused education, UEL tackles
“health and economic inequalities, promoting sustainability, and helping to build a more inclusive and resilient future”
via Vision 2028. This technician role embodies that legacy, supporting
“employer-engaged education and meaningful community impact.”
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 accolade as University of the Year for Teaching Quality reinforces UEL’s claim that it doesn’t
“just teach, we inspire, innovate and empower, shaping the future together.”
No external media reports beyond UEL’s official postings were identified in available sources at the time of reporting. Coverage appears limited to the university’s careers portal, underscoring a targeted recruitment for sustainability expertise.
Who Can Apply and How Does UEL Promote Inclusivity in Hiring?
Per the UEL job advert, the role suits those who
“enjoy problem-solving, hands-on engineering, technical experimentation and contributing directly to impactful sustainability research.”
As a “disability confident employer,” UEL “value[s] all applications” and pledges accommodations. Its dedication to “Equality, Diversity and Inclusion” is evidenced by ongoing progress, with transparency about “more to do” in closing gaps.
