PhD EV modelling, agent-based simulation, location allocation, large-scale optimisation models, travel behaviour

As PhD candidate you will simulate and evaluate the transport of energy by electric vehicles (EV) at the urban and regional scales by developing Agent-Based Simulations. The simulation models will include different scenarios of EV adaptation in coming decades, range and battery storage of EVs, the spatial distribution of candidate locations for sharing, generating, and storage of electricity, and prosumers behaviour. They also include climate scenarios on wind and the possibility of solar energy generation.

Furthermore, you will carry out multi-objective optimisation analyses for spatial allocation of EV charging hubs, energy storage, and energy generation at the urban and regional scales, introducing constraints on the charging demand, accessibility, land use, cultural heritage, the abundance of wind and solar radiation, closeness to the population centres, etc.

Finally, you will analyse the potential locations of meeting points for energy exchange in urban and suburban areas by studying the travel survey in the Netherlands - Onderzoek Onderweg in Nederland (ODiN), and will develop a large-scale typology of possible locations. The typologies include a wide range of possibilities, among them street parking, amenities - such as cinemas, supermarkets, schools, universities – workplaces, conversion of existing gas stations, parks (in the case of electric bikes), street and communal parking areas, and inside individual properties (for family-based energy communities). Subsequently, using geographic data such as Open Street Maps, Urban Atlas, TOP10NL, the location of potential mobile ECs will be identified in the Netherlands.

Project
This PhD will be part of the project Flexible Energy Communities: Coupling e-mobility and energy communities (FlexECs). FlexEC is an interdisciplinary project funded by Dutch Research Council (NWO) and aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges of forming mobile energy communities (EC). The core idea of this research project is to harness the social network structures of existing communities so that like-minded citizens living further apart could participate in ECs, too. FlexECs addresses this challenge by researching the synergies between ECs and electric mobility, essentially "mobile ECs".

FlexECs will include six PhD candidates from different universities with expertise in spatial analysis and mobility (Wageningen University), Energy Law (University of Groningen), Urban Economics (Wageningen University), Electronic Engineering (Delft University of Technology), and Behavioural and Social Sciences (University of Groningen). The project will include two postdoc positions to coordinate interdisciplinary studies by PhDs, Assistant Professors and Professors. The researchers will collaborate closely with nine public and private partners in the FlexECs consortium: Arcadis, Generation.Energy, Esri Nederland, Heliox, Municipality of Wageningen, Municipality of Groningen, Trip Advocaten & Notarissen, ING Bank, and Aeres University of Applied Sciences.

• A university degree (MSc) in a relevant field (e.g. traffic engineering, Environmental Engineering, Spatial Planning, urban geography) with a broad and interdisciplinary interest;
• Advanced skills in agent-based and cellular automata simulation;
• Advanced skills in python and R;
• Advanced skills in optimisation models for large-scale problems;
• Previous experience in modelling EV performance and travel behaviour analysis;
• Basic skills in GIS analysis;
• Very Good English communicative and writing skills (C2 level);
• Compliance with all the entry requirements of the WUR PhD programme ;
• Scientific publications will be considered as an advantage (note that conference papers are not counted).
• For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level . Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here .

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our  Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief , known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page . A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

The project is attached to the Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning (LSP) group at Wageningen University for four years under the supervision of dr.ir. Bardia Mashhoodi and prof.dr.ir. Martha Bakker. For 1.5 year out of four years, the PhD will be placed in the Generation.Energy office in The Hague to closely collaborate with the company's researchers and will be additionally supervised by ir. Boris Hocks. Do you want to know more about our work at the Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning (LSP) group and Generation.Energy?

For more information about this position, please contact dr.ir. Bardia Mashhoodi, Land Use Planning Group, [email protected]

For more information about the procedure, please contact Edgar Tijhuis, corporate recruiter, [email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly by uploading your CV and motivation letter, using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
This vacancy will be listed up to and including August 2nd 2022.

Wageningen University and Research
The mission of Wageningen University and Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 7.200 employees and 13.200 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen’s unique approach. WUR has been named the best university of the Netherlands by students for the 17th time in a row.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!