PhD student in Energy systems analysis

The Department of Space, Earth and Environment contains five divisions, with research and education spanning from global challenges related to sustainability and energy supply to astronomy and space sciences. The department is host to two major infrastructures, Onsala Space Observatory and Chalmers Power Central, and consists of about 250 employees.The vacant position will be at the division of Energy Technology, Dept. of Space, Earth and Environment. The division of Energy technology has a long unique experience in the field of energy systems analysis and model methodology development. 

Project description


The successful candidate will work in the newly launched Swedish Electricity Storage and Balancing Center hosted by Chalmers . The overall aim of the PhD-project is to assess the role of flexibility measures to balance the supply and demand in distribution grids, including cities and large industrial consumers which face extensive electrification at the same time as the share of wind and solar power is expected to increase, resulting in the need for flexibility in the grid. The role of flexibility measures will be investigated considering best available technology as well as feasible and likely development of flexibility measures in terms of technology and cost.

If variations in wind and solar power are managed on distribution grid level using flexibility measures available locally, the variability to be managed, as well as the access to flexibility measures, on higher voltage levels is reduced. Within the proposed project we investigate how flexibility measures on distribution grid level impact the interaction between distribution grids and the transmission grid.

The PhD position on offer will join a team of senior researchers, postdocs and PhD students dedicated to research with the aim to identify and evaluate different pathways toward sustainable energy systems. The work includes the use and development of energy systems and power system models to analyse how an extensive eletrification of industries and cities can be accomodated with local electricity supply and flexibility measures. The position is part of a large collaboration project including material scenitist developing energy storage technologies as well as environmental scientists investigating robust energy transitions. The work thus include interdiciplinary collaboration. 

The project is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, Gothenburg Energy, Västra Götaland Region, and different industries

Major responsibilities


Your major responsibilities as PhD student is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing, both in Swedish and in English. The position also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 percent of working hours. You are expected to write a licentiate thesis within 2-3 years and defend your doctoral thesis within 4-5 years.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education (ECTS) credits in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental science, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Engineering Physics or equivalent. Excellent writing and communication skills in English is required. Familiarity with algebraic modeling languages used for linear programming (e.g. Julia/JuMP, Python/Pyomo, AMPL, MATLAB, GAMS) is mandatory.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230187 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Application deadline: 14 April 2023

For questions, please contact:

Filip Johnsson, Energy technology. filip.johnsson@chalmers.se, phone: +46 31 772 14 49

Lisa Göransson, Energy technology. lisa.goransso@chalmers.se, phone +46 31 772 14 52

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!