PhD Position – Robust energy supply under international crises

Work group:

IEK-3 – Techno-ökonomische Systemanalyse

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Job description:

Your Job:

Current political events highlight the great importance of a robust and affordable energy supply. The transformation towards a greenhouse gas-neutral energy system can reduce dependence on fossil energies, but at the same time create new dependencies, e.g. on hydrogen imports. In your doctoral thesis, you will investigate which new international crises could jeopardize this transformation and what an effective strategy for a robust energy supply could look like. Among other things, you will analyze how robustness of energy systems can be defined and modeled in this context as well as which international crises would be possible and how they could affect the energy system. In doing so, you will pursue various questions, such as: Which international crises would be conceivable and how can they be modeled? How would they affect an energy system and how would it have to be designed for a robust energy supply? To answer these questions, you will further develop an existing energy system model and do the following work:

• Creatively develop a science-based definition of robustness or resilience of the integrated energy system to disruptive events.
• Identification and modeling of disruptive events and scenarios for the integrated energy system from an international perspective
• Integration of robust optimization with different robustness measures, where applicable, into our “FINE” framework for energy system models in Python ( github.com/FZJ-IEK3-VSA/FINE )
• Identification of robust transformation pathways under international crises for the energy system and their path dependencies.
• Analysis of the robustness of the German energy system in the European and global context against international crises or disruptions.
• Active participation in the scientific and public discourse (including publication of results in high-impact scientific journals)
• Establishing a database of modeled scenarios for a centralized access by IEK-3 models
• Analysis of the influences of disruptive events and scenarios on the German energy system

Your Profile:

• A completed master`s degree in the field of natural or (industrial) engineering, informatics, or a related field of study.
• Good knowledge of mathematical optimization methods (knowledge of robust optimization is an advantage)
• Very good knowledge of energy technology and economics
• Programming skills are an advantage (e.g. Python)
• High degree of independence and willingness to show great commitment
• Very reliable and conscientious work style
• Fluent English and German language skills, both written and spoken

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• Strong collaboration in a project team in the RESUR project ( www.fz-juelich.de/en/iek/iek-3/projects/resur )
• The opportunity to complete a doctoral thesis within 3 years through professional supervision and internal support services; time taken to submit the final thesis for the last 16 doctoral students at IEK-3: 2.7 – 3.4 years
• A highly motivated working group as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment in one of the largest research institutions in Europe
• Collaboration in an exciting joint research project with top-class partners
• Active further development of a comprehensive energy system model in order to support energy policy decision-makers in a scientifically sound manner
• Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
• Opportunity to participate in (international) conferences and project meetings
• Continuous professional support by your scientific supervisor(s)
• A large research campus in the countryside, which offers the best opportunities for networking with colleagues as well as for a sporty balance besides work
• Best conditions for successful work in a home office (moving to the Aachen-Düsseldorf-Cologne region is not absolutely necessary)
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation.