PhD Position Hydrogen Value Chain Development - Integrated Hydrogen-Energy System

Updated: over 1 year ago
Deadline: 01 Aug 2022

Hydrogen value chain deployment - Integrated hydrogen-energy system 

Delft University of Technology is hiring a doctoral candidate on the subject of integrated hydrogen-energy system. The position is established within the faculty of Technology Policy and Management (TPM), department Engineering Systems and Services (ESS), more specifically in the Energy and Industry (E&I) section, where the research on energy system integration, industry and energy transitions and circular economy takes place.

In this position, you will work as part of a team of three doctoral candidates in a project called “HyChain Energy System Integration: Agenda for the emerging hydrogen economy supporting energy system integration”.This project, funded by NWO, is a collaboration between TU Delft, University of Amsterdam, Tilburg University, Breda University of Applied Sciences, TNO, ISPT and a range of industrial partners.

Presented in May 2022 the REPowerEU Plan builds on the Fit for 55 package with the ambition of achieving at least -55 % net GHG emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050 in the European Union. Further, it stresses phasing out Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels from Russia before 2030 and increasing the resilience of the EU-wide energy system. Amongst other measures, REPowerEU introduces an ambition to reach in 2030 an additional 15 million tons of renewable hydrogen on top of the 5.6 Mt foreseen under Fit for 55.

This PhD project concentrates on modelling and simulation of integrated hydrogen-energy systems including production, infrastructure, storage, distribution and end-use conversion, taking into account geographical, spatial and time dimensions. The novel system modelling approaches will provide results giving further systematic insights in the decisions and actions to be taken over time to secure the emergence of the desired outcome - a sustainable, reliable, affordable and fair energy system.

This four-year doctoral appointment will be supervised by prof.dr.ir Zofia Lukszo, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, and prof.dr. Ad van Wijk, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. The research will be performed in collaboration with our other consortium partners.   

We are looking for candidates who:

  • Have a background in an engineering or in a science domain demonstrated by a MSc degree in, for example, Sustainable Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Complex Systems Engineering and Management, or Physics, etc.;
  • Have a fascination with hydrogen-related technology and role of hydrogen in future energy systems;
  • Have experience on system modelling and analysis;
  • Have the affinity with industry and energy transition problems;
  • Are open minded, independent, self-motivated and eager to learn.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2443 per month in the first year to € 3122 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct ). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

With its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy, the Faculty of TPM makes an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. We combine insights from the engineering sciences, the social and the humanities. We develop robust models and designs, are internationally oriented and have an extensive network with knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof.dr.ir. Zofia Lukszo ([email protected]) and/or prof.dr. Ad van Wijk ([email protected])  

For information about the application procedure, please contact Olivie Beek, email: [email protected]

Please submit your application online no later than August 1st, 2022. You can only apply via the application button 'Apply now', applications sent to one of the mentioned email addresses will not be processed. 

To apply, please submit the following documents:

- Cover letter that describes your motivation and the relevance of past research/practice

- A full CV with a list of publications

A pre-employment screening can be part of the application procedure.


Hydrogen value chain deployment - Integrated hydrogen-energy system 

Delft University of Technology is hiring a doctoral candidate on the subject of integrated hydrogen-energy system. The position is established within the faculty of Technology Policy and Management (TPM), department Engineering Systems and Services (ESS), more specifically in the Energy and Industry (E&I) section, where the research on energy system integration, industry and energy transitions and circular economy takes place.

In this position, you will work as part of a team of three doctoral candidates in a project called “HyChain Energy System Integration: Agenda for the emerging hydrogen economy supporting energy system integration”.This project, funded by NWO, is a collaboration between TU Delft, University of Amsterdam, Tilburg University, Breda University of Applied Sciences, TNO, ISPT and a range of industrial partners.

Presented in May 2022 the REPowerEU Plan builds on the Fit for 55 package with the ambition of achieving at least -55 % net GHG emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050 in the European Union. Further, it stresses phasing out Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels from Russia before 2030 and increasing the resilience of the EU-wide energy system. Amongst other measures, REPowerEU introduces an ambition to reach in 2030 an additional 15 million tons of renewable hydrogen on top of the 5.6 Mt foreseen under Fit for 55.

This PhD project concentrates on modelling and simulation of integrated hydrogen-energy systems including production, infrastructure, storage, distribution and end-use conversion, taking into account geographical, spatial and time dimensions. The novel system modelling approaches will provide results giving further systematic insights in the decisions and actions to be taken over time to secure the emergence of the desired outcome - a sustainable, reliable, affordable and fair energy system.

This four-year doctoral appointment will be supervised by prof.dr.ir Zofia Lukszo, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, and prof.dr. Ad van Wijk, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. The research will be performed in collaboration with our other consortium partners.   

We are looking for candidates who:

  • Have a background in an engineering or in a science domain demonstrated by a MSc degree in, for example, Sustainable Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Complex Systems Engineering and Management, or Physics, etc.;
  • Have a fascination with hydrogen-related technology and role of hydrogen in future energy systems;
  • Have experience on system modelling and analysis;
  • Have the affinity with industry and energy transition problems;
  • Are open minded, independent, self-motivated and eager to learn.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2443 per month in the first year to € 3122 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct ). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

With its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy, the Faculty of TPM makes an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. We combine insights from the engineering sciences, the social and the humanities. We develop robust models and designs, are internationally oriented and have an extensive network with knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof.dr.ir. Zofia Lukszo ([email protected]) and/or prof.dr. Ad van Wijk ([email protected])  

For information about the application procedure, please contact Olivie Beek, email: [email protected]

Please submit your application online no later than August 1st, 2022. You can only apply via the application button 'Apply now', applications sent to one of the mentioned email addresses will not be processed. 

To apply, please submit the following documents:

- Cover letter that describes your motivation and the relevance of past research/practice

- A full CV with a list of publications

A pre-employment screening can be part of the application procedure.



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