PhD student or Postdoc - Modelling and planning for non-fossil transport

Information about the research and the division
In large cities, electric mobility will most likely be responsible for the major transition towards a non-fossil transport sector but in small towns and rural municipalities conditions are very different and a cost-effective and sufficiently rapid transition needs to be based on a combination of technologies, fuels and measures.

Thus, the objective of this PhD student/postdoc research is to study how municipal and regional planning can contribute to fossil-free transport in small-town municipalities. The research will also be addressing the synergies and competition between electric mobility, biogas, liquid biofuels and smart mobility, and address linkages between short-term action and long-term objectives. The research is to be carried out in close collaboration with a number of municipalities and forms a part of Swedish – Danish collaboration project.

In order to realize the research objectives, a systems research approach based on optimisation and/or system dynamics modelling is foreseen combined with qualitative and action research methods.

The division of Energy Technology conducts research and offers education in energy technology and energy systems. Our work is characterised by the combination of systems-level projects with research on energy transformation processes, and our participation in a great number of national and international research projects. The research of the Energy System Group focuses on energy transitions, sustainable energy systems, and energy system technology with a particular emphasis on modelling analysis of transitions of the power, heat and transport sectors.

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. You are also expected to contribute to the project and take active part and in building and maintaining collaborative links with relevant members of the department, research project members and stakeholders. A PhD student position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level and/or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours. You are expected to write a licentiate thesis within 2-3 years and defend your doctoral thesis within 4-5 years.

As a postdoc you are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. You are also expected to contribute to the project and take active part and in building and maintaining collaborative links with relevant members of the department, research project members and stakeholders.

Position summary
The PhD position is limited to a maximum of five years and the postdoc is limited to two years. In both cases, the position is on a full-time, temporary employment basis.

Qualifications
For a PhD student: MSc in Engineering Physics, Energy, Environmental, Industrial, Industrial economy, Mechanical, Chemical or Civil Engineering. Preferably with an Energy Systems or Industrial Ecology Master Program.

For a postdoc: PhD in energy systems/transport systems planning/assessment/modelling.

Experience/knowledge of energy systems modelling, optimisation, system dynamics, local energy systems, transport systems, municipal energy planning, transport planning, stakeholder interviews, inter-disciplinary work, courses in economy, policy and/or social sciences. Excellent writing and communication skills in English are required. Writing and communication skills in Swedish or any other Scandinavian language is meritorious.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200523 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

For PhD student position
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.

For Post-Doc
CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications.
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences.
• 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 research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 15 December, 2020

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