PhD or Postdoc in the economics and policy of energy transitions

The cost of renewable technologies has plummeted making them the cheapest electricity source in many markets. Yet wind and solar power still grow too slowly compared to what we need for achieving the climate targets. Is this because of market failures, technology shortcomings or political obstacles? A new researcher position tackles this question through examining how the interplay of energy technologies, economics and policies either drive or constrain the growth of clean energy technologies. The PhD student or Postdoctoral researcher will use a combination of empirical research, statistical analysis, and computational experiments and be part of the POLET research group with wide international collaboration.

Project description
We are recruiting either a PhD student or a Postdoctoral researcher to examine the interplay between energy policies - the economics of energy technologies and their growth. In particular, how is the growth of new energy technologies shaped by investment, profitability, technological innovation and policy support in different countries?

Technologies needed to decarbonize the electricity system have become sufficiently cheap and now dominate the IPCC climate mitigation scenarios. Yet, looking beyond mathematical models, it's an open question how fast decarbonisation can proceed in the real world given the socio-political and technological constraints in different countries and regions. The POLET research group addresses this question by exploring the actors and contexts of energy transitions examined from the socio-technical, political and techno-economic perspectives.

The position is either for a two-year Postdoctoral researcher position (possibility of extension) or five-year PhD studentship and is part of ERC Starting Grant project (MANIFEST) and MISTRA Electrification. It is based in the POLET research group on Perspectives on technOLogical change and Energy Transitions within the Department of Space, Earth and Environment in the Physical Resource Theory Division.

Information about the division and the department
The Department of Space, Earth and Environment contains five divisions, with research and education spanning from global challenges related to sustainability and energy supply to astronomy and space sciences. The division of Physical Resource Theory conducts research and provides education on solutions to major environmental challenges such as climate change and sustainable land use. Our challenge-driven research is interdisciplinary building on both technical and social sciences and using a range of quantitative and qualitative methods. The division has around 50 staff members, faculty and PhD-students with diverse expertise, including engineers, natural and social scientists.

Major responsibilities
The candidate will engage in research on the interaction between energy policies, the economics of energy technologies and their growth.

For the PhD position, teaching will account for 20% of the position.

For the Postdoctoral researcher position, teaching may account for up to 20% of the position.

Read more about doctoral studies at Chalmers here .

Qualifications
For the Postdoctoral researcher position, we require a PhD degree in economics, environmental science, energy studies, public policy, political science, or related fields of natural and social science with a specialization in energy transitions, energy policy, or energy economics at the graduate level.

For the PhD position, we require Masters degree in economics, environmental science, energy studies, public policy, political science, or related fields of natural and social science with a specialization in energy transitions, energy policy, or energy economics at the graduate level.

For both positions, full fluency, including a track record of academic writing, in English is necessary.

Relevant experience with data analysis and programming (e.g. python or R) and empirical data analysis (including statistics) is a must along with strong motivation and commitment to scientific inquiry.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The PhD position is limited to a maximum of five years and the Postdoc position to 2+1 years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .
Read more about working at Chalmers  and our benefits  for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence . Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with reference number 20240134 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV:(Please name the document: CV, Family name, reference number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter:(Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, ref.number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Propose potential research directions in economics and/or politics of energy transitions that the candidate plans to pursue within the MANIFEST project
• Explain the reason for applying to the post-doc or PhD position at Chalmers

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis as well as PhD articles and or thesis in case of the Postdoctoral researcher position.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: 2024-04-07
The positions will remain open until filled.

For questions, please contact:
Associate Professor, Jessica Jewell, Physical Resource Theory,
[email protected], +46 31 772 6106

Professor, Frances Sprei, Physical Resource Theory,
[email protected], +46 31 772 2146

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!
 

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