PhD Position in Developing All-sector Pathways for Zero European Energy Emissions

Design realistic and doable pathways to zero European energy emissions by 2050 for policy decision support

We are offering a 4-year PhD position to work on scenarios and quantitative modelling of the next three decades of the European energy transition towards a fully emissions-free energy sector by 2050. To do so you will be trained on and work with the Euro-Calliope energy system model.

The big picture your work will be part of is achieving zero-emissions energy supply across all sectors, within the constraints of current and future European policy, both at the level of Europe as a whole, and for individual European countries. It is likely that renewable electricity will be the backbone of an energy system where heating, cooling and transportation are increasingly electrified, but many questions remain open, in particular, the role of synthetic fuels and challenges in sectors like industry, freight, or aviation. Within this broad context you will be free to design and implement a research agenda for your thesis under the guidance of your supervisors.

Your main supervisor will be Stefan Pfenninger, Associate Professor of Energy Systems Modelling. You will join a lively community of internationally renowned interdisciplinary energy researchers in the Department of Engineering Systems and Services.

The position is funded through the PATHFNDR project supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. Your work will involve collaboration and interaction with other leading European research institutions, especially with ETH Zurich, and with industry and other stakeholders.

We are looking for a talented and motivated Ph.D. candidate with enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research challenges at the interface of data analysis, energy system modelling and policy making.

A successful candidate should have:

• A Masters degree in an engineering or science discipline
• Demonstrated experience in working on energy-related topics (through coursework, thesis, internships or prior work experience)
• An ability and interest to conduct interdisciplinary research
• Very good written and spoken communication skills in English (Dutch is not required)

Our ideal candidate additionally has one or several of:

• Industry, government or NGO experience
• Experience programming in Python, R, Julia or a similar language
• Energy system modelling experience, in particular with Python-based open-source tools like oemof, PyPSA or Calliope     

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of 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 or the application procedure, please contact Stefan Pfenninger ([email protected]). No applications by email.

Closing date for applications is Monday, 24 April 2023. We will contact shortlisted candidates for a two-stage interview process which will take place in April/May, and we expect a decision by end of May. The starting date will be flexible based on mutual agreement in summer or autumn 2023.

Please apply via the application button and upload the following documents:

- Motivation statement, including a paragraph outlining your main research interests within the areas outlined in the job advertisement (one A4 page)

- CV, including a brief description of your three most impactful achievements to date (these achievements can be anything relevant to your academic or professional life)

- Contact details for two references (contact details only - please do not submit reference letters)

Please do not attach any other documents to your application than those requested above.    

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

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.