PhD position: Innovation strategies and policy approaches to support the transition to a clean energy system

A coordinated effort is needed between the energy policy and energy technology domains to transform energy systems towards decarbonisation. Given the multiple policy objectives involved in this process and the complex nature of the energy system, appropriately designed policy mixes are expected to be more effective in addressing energy challenges compared to individual policy instruments. However, we currently lack methods that can design effective policy mixes, while also reflecting their effects on the energy system in terms of both system design and operation.

Therefore, for this project, we are looking for a talented doctoral candidate to work on developing methods for the co-design of policy mixes and energy system transformations. Energy system modelling will be the primary method used in the project and the student will investigate how individual energy technologies and sectors, policies, and their interactions can be best represented in a modelling environment. Finally, the developed method will be applied to a series of case studies corresponding to specific energy challenges.

A planned secondment of three months at the RWE Renewables GmbH in Essen (Germany) is part of this project. During this secondment, the student will have the opportunity to gain practical work experience and apply the developed methods to a market relevant for RWE Renewables. To achieve this, the student will be working closely with the project partner RWE Renewables during the entire project duration.

Anticipated outcomes of this project include a flexible method for the co-design of policy mixes and energy system transformations, as well as quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of policy mixes, especially when compared to individual policy instruments. The findings will be communicated in several academic papers and practitioner articles, and shared via social media (e.g., through blog posts).

Benefit

We are offering an interesting position at the interface of science and policy. While working in an international, interdisciplinary and innovative research environment at ETH Zurich, the ESR will be jointly supervised by Prof. Volker Hoffmann and Dr. Georgios Mavromatidis from the Group for Sustainability and Technology (SusTec, www.sustec.ethz.ch ) at ETH Zurich, and by RWE Renewables GmbH.

The complete 36 months will be under a 100% working contract.

The PhD salary follows the regulations of ETH Zurich and will be according to EU regulations for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early-Stage Researchers. The monthly gross salary will not be lower than CHF 3920.

The successful candidate will be matriculated and will have a working contract at ETH Zurich. He/she will work in Switzerland. The secondment will take place in Essen (Germany).

Expected starting date of the working contract: 01.01.2022