PhD Position – The role of Power-to-Liquid fuels in carbon neutral energy systems

Your Job:

Current political events highlight the high 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 also create new dependencies, e.g. for hydrogen or power-to-liquid imports. In your doctoral thesis, you will investigate what role power-to-liquid fuels can play in a global greenhouse gas-neutral energy system and where the CO2 required for this can best come from. Among other things, you will analyze which different power-to-liquid (PtL) process chains could be relevant and which demands for PtL and CO2 could arise. In this context, different questions will be investigated, such as: Where would PtL production be most advantageous globally, including CO2 sourcing? How can this “advantageousness” be defined? Is it only cost or also considerations of security of supply and sustainability? To answer these questions, you will further develop an existing energy system model and perform the following work:

• Creatively develop an approach to optimize the global distribution of production sites of PtL and CO2 extraction options
• Integrating PtL process chains and CO2 sourcing options into our energy system model
• Identification of potential demand trends and transport options of PtL products and CO2 worldwide
• Analyze the role of PtL and CO2 in a global greenhouse gas neutral energy system

Your Profile:

• An excellent Master`s degree in the field of natural sciences or engineering or a related field of study.
• Knowledge of energy process engineering; ideally of PtL and CO2 process chains.
• Very good knowledge of energy technology and economics
• Programming skills advantageous (e.g. Python)
• High degree of independence and willingness to show great commitment
• Very reliable and conscientious work style
• Fluent English or 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:

• 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 modeling suite in the team 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)
• Best conditions for successful work in a home office (moving to the Aachen-Düsseldorf-Cologne region is not absolutely necessary)
• 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
• A structured doctoral program for you and your supervisors with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities via the JuDocs doctoral platform ( https://www.fz-juelich.de/judocs )
• The opportunity to complete a doctoral thesis within 3 years through professional supervision and internal support services; processing time until submission of the written version of the dissertation for the last 16 doctoral students at IEK-3: 2.7-3.4 years
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• 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: https://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.