Postdoctoral Fellow Position on Optimizing Plus Energy Neighbourhoods

About the position 

The Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (ZEN Centre) hosted by the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow for an initial appointment of 2 years in ‘Techno-economic challenges and opportunities for energy flexibility services in Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities’.

This is a temporary educational position which will provide promising research recruits the opportunity for professional development through studies towards an Associate Professorship. The position is at the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management and the Faculty of Economics and Management will be your employer.

The department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management  is organized into six sections:

• Managerial Economics, Finance and Operations Research (BEDØK)
• Safety, Health and Environment (HSE)
• Operations Management (VIL)
• Strategy and Business Development (Stratforr)
• Experts in Teamwork (Section for EiT)
• Economics and Management (located in Gjøvik)

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be a part of the Section for Managerial Economics, Finance and Operations Research and will cooperate closely with the Section for Operations Management.
For further information about the department, see our website www.ntnu.edu/iot .

Information about the Centre and European Projects

The Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (ZEN Centre) is a Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the consortium partners. The main objective of the ZEN Centre is to develop knowledge, competitive products and solutions that will lead to realization of sustainable buildings and neighbourhoods that have zero emissions of greenhouse gases related to their production, operation and transformation. The ZEN Centre  is a follow-up of the Research Centre on Zero Emission Buildings .

Two EU funded projects will co-fund this position: ARV project (Climate Positive Circular Communities) and Syn.ikia project (Plus energy neighbourhoods). Both projects are led by NTNU and focus on the development of plus energy neighbourhoods in Europe.

Information about the ZEN Centre at NTNU is available at http://www.fmezen.no . For EU projects:  https://greendeal-arv.eu/ ;  https://www.synikia.eu/ . Information about NTNUs Thematic Strategic Areas is available at http://www.ntnu.edu/research/strategicareas .

Background

A climate neutral future relies on decarbonised electricity supply, which will include a high share of renewable energy sources. With high shares of renewables in the electricity generation mix, as well as disappearing dispatchable power plants and a general growth in electricity use, the need for resources that can provide flexibility is increased. In a geographically confined neighbourhood containing several buildings (both residential and commercial), we need to identify possible trading solutions across stakeholders to provide efficient market outcomes. The current regulation of electricity trade sets boundaries on the utilization of flexible energy assets within the neighbourhood. 

The Postdoc will explore innovative solutions for Plus Energy Neighbourhoods related to assets and stakeholders that can provide flexibility services. In particular, s/he will work to identify possible solutions to existing challenges for utilizing potential energy flexibility in neighbourhoods and propose new business models. The research will be connected to related work within the Research Centre on Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (www.fmezen.no ), and the European projects (Syn.ikia and ARV)

Duties of the position

The candidate will address techno-economic challenges and incentives affecting the successful trading of flexibility services in positive energy neighbourhoods. The Postdoc will also collaborate with researchers in ZEN. In the ZEN centre and the EU projects, 17 pilot areas are available for research, and relevant research questions can be found and addressed in cooperation with the consortium partners.

The research should pursue one or more of the following tasks:

• Assess and develop an overview of innovative business concepts in energy communities  related to flexible energy resources
• Identify potential conflicting regulations for innovative business concepts in ZEN and the EU projects related to energy flexibility
• Identify flexibility-based products and services that can be traded in plus energy neighbourhoods context whilst minimizing system costs
• Identify costs and benefits related to energy flexibility, and how costs/benefits are distributed between stakeholders in and around the neighborhoud or energy community
• Develop an understanding of corresponding regulatory issues on an international level

Qualification requirements

• Completion of a Norwegian doctoral degree in Operations Research or Energy Economics with application to power systems or a closely related field, or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required. Candidates in the final stages of their PhD may also apply
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English
• Experience with optimization and energy systems modelling

Factors that will contribute positively to the evaluation and that should be documented in the application:

• Publications of research in recognized international journals within the field
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and administrative staff
• Experience from work in EU or national research projects
• Experience with research and practice-based work related to innovation or transition theory applied in a zero-emission context, will be highly valued
• Experience in modelling energy communities, local markets developments, peer-to-peer energy trading will be an asset
• Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage, since much of the data collection will be made in Norwegian companies

Personal characteristics

Personal qualities such as academic team player, creative, analytical, self-driven, flexible and engaged scholar will be emphasised.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.

We offer 

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment 
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues 
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• employee benefits 
• Attractive Norwegian social welfare scheme including family benefits, home loans, insurance and pensions in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

Information about Working and living in Norway can be found at the following link: http://www.nyinorge.no/en/Ny-i-Norge-velg-sprak/New-in-Norway/

Salary and conditions

Postdoctoral Fellows are remunerated in code 1352, presently at gross NOK 553 500,- before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

This position is to be hired for a period of 2 years, starting as soon as possible in 2022.
Some travelling is required to fill the position.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant   and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criterias in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Any statutory leave will be added to the employment period.

The position is subject to external funding. 

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis. 

About the application 

Applications must include:

• A cover letter describing motivation and qualifications for the position as Postdoc.
• A CV with information on education, research experience, and publications.
• Authorized documentation of certificates (academic degrees and grades).
• Publications and other relevant scientific works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application.

Joint work will be evaluated. If it is difficult to identify the contributions from individuals in a joint piece of work, applicants should enclose a short descriptive summary of what they contributed to the work.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.  

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well. 

General information 

Working at NTNU 

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.   

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.  

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted. 

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants. 

Questions about the position can be directed to Professor Asgeir Tomasgard,  Senior researcher Pedro Crespo del Granado  or  Associate Professor Stian Backe .

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Hilde Selli Egelie, e-mail: [email protected] .

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI) .  

Application deadline: 17.10.2022

NTNU

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management

We conduct research and teaching at an international level in the interface between technology/natural sciences and economics, management, and HSE (health, safety and the environment). Our goal is sustainable creation of value within technology-based areas in industry, business and the public sector in Norway. We have academic groups in Trondheim and Gjøvik. The Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management  is one of four departments in the Faculty of Economics and Management . 

Deadline 17th October 2022
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service