PhD student position in analysis of wind power deployment

What determines where wind power has been deployed and what we can expect in the future? A PhD student position analyzes this question as part of a broader research agenda on understanding the feasibility of climate mitigation. The PhD student will focus on analyzing the allocation of wind deployment through statistical analysis and computational experiments based on empirical data from different countries of in the world. The PhD student will be part of an inter-disciplinary research school financed by the Swedish Energy Agency. 

Information about the division and the department
The division of Physical Resource Theory is one of five divisions within the department of Space, Earth and Environment. The division of Physical Resource Theory offers an interdisciplinary research environment that relies on a range of different scientific methods, from energy system modelling and agent-based modelling, to remote sensing, econometrics and surveys. Our aim is to advance challenge-driven scientific excellence by crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries and by increasing the level of cross-collaboration in environmental research as well as with society at large. The division has around 50 staff members, faculty and PhD-students with diverse expertise, including engineers, natural and social scientists. We also offer courses in areas related to our research.

Major responsibilities
Solar and wind power are today commercially available. Yet while we know how to design a renewable based energy system in mathematical models, it's an open question whether this can be done in the real world given the socio-political and technological constraints. The team includes researchers doing modeling of future energy systems as well as empirical analysis of socio-political and technological constraints.

The PhD student would contribute to answering this question by investigating diffusion of wind power. The market potential of wind power in a low carbon energy system is strongly continent on where and how densely wind power can be deployed. Even if the theoretical potential for wind power is large, the deployment requires land where other interests compete. We aim in this project at understanding which geographic, socio-technical and institutional factors affect wind power deployment at the local and regional level.

The candidate will explore the spatial and socio-political aspects of deployment of wind power. The work also includes analyzing results and writing papers in collaboration with the energy system group at Physical Resource Theory and two PhD students in political science which is part of the same project. You are expected to work independently, have the ability to plan and organize your work and to be able to communicate scientific results, both orally and in written form, in English. The doctoral program is supposed to lead to the doctoral degree, equivalent to four years of full-time studies, which includes research, coursework, and participation in seminars and conferences. Including teaching obligations, the position is expected to be five years.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in economics, engineering, mathematics, environmental science, or related fields of natural and social science with a proven interest in energy studies.

You should be familiar with programming languages, and have proven experience of writing in English. You should also have excellent academic track record and strong motivation and commitment to scientific inquiry.

Experience in energy systems analysis, GIS modelling and statistics is meritorious. 

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 20220611 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 (with publications if applicable)
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-2 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.

Other documents:
• A brief research proposal related to the call (2-3 pages)
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.
• The names of 2-3 references (including contant information) that we can contact for recommendations.

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

Application deadline: 2023-01-01

For questions, please contact:
Fredrik Hedenus, Professor
Email: hedenus@chalmers.se
Phone: 0046317723453