PhD student in energy technology

The position offers a regular full time employment contract as PhD student for a specified time period according to chapter 5 of the Swedish University regulations (Högskoleförordningen). Starting date for employment is as soon as possible as agreed with the chosen candidate. The position will be located at School of Technology and Business Studies, in Borlänge, Sweden. However, the accepted applicant will be formally registered for the PhD degree at another university. The position is funded for the first 20 months by the Early Research Training Program of EU Marie-Curie, which impose eligibility requirements on the applicants (see later).

Field of Study

The Solar Energy Research Center SERC at Högskolan Dalarna has researched on solar heating systems since the 1980’s. From 2000 much of the research has concentrated on systems combining solar and other sources of heat and SERC is one of the leading groups in this field in Sweden and internationally. The focus is often on systems and the interaction of components and control. We have many interdisciplinary projects involving engineers and social scientists with a focus on possibilities and barriers for the spread of renewable energy technology. The PhD student will be part of a graduate school in solar heating within the SolNet collaboration framework where there are three work packages: WP1 Solar District Heating; WP2 Solar Heat for Industrial Processes; WP3 Sorption Processes and Materials. The PhD post offered here is in WP1, where there are 5 other PhD students working

Work Tasks

The main aim of the research is to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized solar collector fields in district heating networks and to derive the technological and economic boundary conditions for profitable operation. Both de-centralized feed-in (connection on primary side) and district heat augmented systems (connection on secondary side) will be covered. The work involves analysis of field measurements, system simulation of centralized and decentralized systems and economic analysis. The results will be presented at conferences and published in scientific journal articles. It is expected that some work will be done in collaboration with other PhD students within WP1. One complete year of the four-year PhD programme is devoted to studying courses, often at another location within Sweden, and possibly in another European country. The PhD student will also present his/her work at national and international conferences and workshops.

Eligibility Requirements

Only those who become registered or are already registered as a PhD student at a Swedish university can be employed as a PhD student. The post is in general governed by the regulations of chapter 5 of the Swedish University regulations (Higher Education Ordinance).

The PhD student must fulfil the general requirements of the Early Research Training Program of EU Marie-Curie, which encourages people to move from one country to another. The main requirements here are:

a) At the time of recruitment the applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the last three years prior to the reference date. b) The applicant must be at postgraduate level and must be (at the time of recruitment) in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.

Other Qualifications

We are looking for candidates with a masters’ degree in engineering with specialisation towards energy, or equivalent, that matches the requirements for registration for a PhD at a Swedish university. These requirements are defined for Swedish degrees, but in the case of degrees obtained outside of Sweden an individual assessment is made. In general a minimum of 4 years of university studies is required, including at least 30 ECTS credits at advanced level (master level). The subject area should be one suitable to the tasks of the project, such as: energy, building services engineering, mechanical engineering. You should have a strong initiative and be able to work well on your own both practically and theoretically. Good analytical skills and creativity are important attributes. You should also have a desire to search for new knowledge.

 Knowledge of energy systems as well as previous experience with simulation programs is of merit. Good written and spoken English is essential as all communication within the project will be in English.

 For the right person we offer:

- A position in a positive and successful research group at Högskolan Dalarna.

- Development work and challenges in developing highly innovative renewable energy heating systems.

You can read more about the research at SERC and the people who work there at our website www.serc.se. Information about Högskolan Dalarna can be found at www.du.se.

 

Other Information

The salary will follow the standard PhD student scale at Högskolan Dalarna

Högskolan Dalarna works actively for equality of the sexes in employment as well as increased cultural diversity.

 

To apply, please do so through the website using this link:

www.du.se/applyforPhD 

Find more information, instruction and translationhelp how to apply for this position.

 

Closing date for applications is 19th April 2015.

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