Reference: 10042353
Contract type: Permanent
City: Paris La Défense, 92400, France
Education: Doctorate
Minimum experience: 5-7 years

Company:

Total is one of the first international oil companies, the world actor of the gas, the petro chemistry and tomorrow, the biomass and the solar energy. Gathering 100 000 employees in more than 130 countries, the Group implements its technological know-how to contribute to satisfy the present and future world energy demand.

Position:

Within the company, TOTAL New Energies is dedicated entirely to the commercial development of alternative energies (photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, advanced biofuels).

TOTAL has been involved in photovoltaic energy research since 1983, and has the ambition of becoming the global leader in the solar industry. In line with this strategy, TOTAL New Energies makes important investments in technology research, such as the recent co-foundation of the Institut Photovoltaïque d'Ile-de-France (IPVF), which will be one of the five largest photovoltaic research centers worldwide.

TOTAL New Energies leverages an original networked innovation model in order to develop technologies that will make a real difference in the near or mid-term future. The network includes a number of partnerships with leading academic labs and start-ups, such as Imec, LPICM and LAAS. In each partnership, researchers at the partner institution and TOTAL scientists jointly design and carry out the research efforts. TOTAL New Energies also collaborates closely with its industrial affiliate, the California based SunPower Corp. renowned for producing the world's most efficient and reliable solar panels.

Mission and responsibilities

TOTAL New Energies is seeking a Head of R&D for Systems, Products and Services to drive the design of an overall vision and strategy for systems which covers and links a wide scope of technical topics, from power electronics to software offered to customers as part of services related to photovoltaics products. All activities will be aligned with SunPower. The candidate will also contribute to the success of the Solar department and SunPower by designing roadmaps and original projects for systems, and by proposing technically innovative products and services which can be offered to PV consumers. The scope of the position has a direct impact on the downstream strategy of TOTAL New Energies and SunPower and a creative, open-minded, strategic and visionary approach is required to achieve successful results.

The Head of R&D for Systems, Products and Services will be based at TOTAL New Energies Headquarters in Paris and report directly to the Head of the Solar R&D Department. He/she will be part of a joint R&D team of outstanding scientists set up by TOTAL New Energies together with renowned R&D partners. This R&D team conducts short, medium and long term research in power conversion, systems, products and services in the field of crystalline silicon photovoltaics and develops cutting-edge technology for SunPower.

The principal responsibilities of the Head of R&D for Systems, Products and Services will be to:

• Help define the short, medium and long term R&D and cost roadmap on systems, products and services in Si photovoltaics by looking at the broad technical scope (e.g. power electronics, grid integration, smart grid, mechanical engineering and communication protocols).
• Define and manage projects according to the roadmap.
• Analyze market studies, suggest and develop PV products and services that can be offered to SunPower's customers.
• Align activities and initiatives with SunPower and various TOTAL entities (e.g. Business, Strategy and R&D).
• Set up and manage a network of academic institutions and suppliers that can contribute to achieving the roadmap goals and to whom well defined short-term research topics in the field of PV systems, products and services can be assigned.
• Continuously align the systems R&D activities and roadmap with the roadmaps of previous steps in the value chain.
• Give technical input on systems R&D topics in commercial negotiations.
• Optional (depending on the candidates' profile and experience): Manage a small team of R&D engineers and PhD students.

Profile:

Knowledge and educational background:

• PhD degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Science, Information Technology or related fields.
• Educational background in renewable energies or photovoltaic systems would be plus.
• Fluency in English. French would be a plus

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience (not including PhD experience), ideally gained in both an industrial environment and academia.
• Experience in one or several of the following areas: power electronics, power conversion systems, mechanical engineering, grid interconnection, battery management systems, communication protocols, software services offered to customers.
• Some experience with market studies would be a plus.
• A publication record of scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at prestigious international conferences.
• Demonstrated management of R&D teams is not mandatory, but would be a plus.

Skills

• Strong analytical capabilities.
• Technical open-mindedness and eagerness to be updated on the latest developments in his/her field.
• Capacity to find innovative ideas and solutions.
• Visionary and strategic mind-set.
• Organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong team player attitude and capacities.
• Willingness to travel on business trips regularly.