PhD Position – The role of green liquefied petroleum gas in the energy transition in southern Africa

Your Job:

The fight against climate change can only be successful at the global level. Africa has a key role to play here. That is why you are working on the topic of sustainable production and use of green liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in southern Africa as part of an international project with South African partners. Green LPG is based on green hydrogen, which is produced locally with renewable energies. Make a significant contribution to this with a system analysis to determine the local technical potentials for decentralized application for sustainable cooking to support the energy transition in the global south. Among other things, you will analyze how supply infrastructures for green LPG could look locally and internationally and how sustainable green LPG is. Here, various questions will be explored, such as: Where can water for hydrogen production via seawater desalination be sustainably sourced? What is the greenhouse gas reduction potential compared to existing cooking applications and how much deforestation could be avoided? To answer these questions, you will further develop an existing energy system model and perform the following work:

• Creatively scientifically develop an approach to determine the potential of green liquefied petroleum gas, taking into account regionally resolved CO2 sources, with a particular focus on South Africa (this can build on existing approaches for green hydrogen)
  
• Integration of green LPG process chains into our energy system model to calculate local and international trade infrastructures
  
• Assessment of the LPG process chain in terms of options for a circular economy
  
• Analysis of the role of green LPG for the energy transition in Southern Africa

Your Profile:

• Completed Master`s degree in the field of natural sciences or engineering or a related field of study
  
• Very good knowledge of energy technology and economics
  
• First programming skills ideally in Python
  
• Knowledge of energy process engineering an advantage
  
• 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 on one of the most comprehensive energy system models 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
  
• 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: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
  
• The opportunity to complete a doctoral thesis within 3 years through professional supervision and internal support services
  
• 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.