Postdoctoral position in Environmental risks of hydrokinetic turbines

Information about the research
The energy potential of relatively slow flowing water, in oceans and on continents, is very large and mostly unutilized. In a situation where the energy system need to be more based on renewable energies this potential energy resource can be exploited provided that it can be done in a way that minimize environmental risks from the installations. These risks include collisions with moving parts, noise, electro-magnetic fields, chemicals and other potential disturbances. The successful candidate will work with research on these environmental risk and their mitigation. The announced position is placed at the Division of Environmental Systems Analysis, at the Department of Energy and Environment, where research and teaching cover different types environmental assessments of technology, environmental management and environmentally driven innovation systems. Currently, there are approximately 30 staff members, with varying disciplinary backgrounds. The position is further announced in the context of the Chalmers Area of Advance Energy, which coordinates research on a number of aspects of the energy system spanning from specific research areas on electrical engineering to system-wide modelling studies. The results obtained have been utilized by both corporations and authorities involved in the energy system.

Major responsibilities
This research project will describe, quantify and prohibit the environmental risks related to hydrokinetic turbines. By field experiments combined with theoretical models risk will be calculated for two different types of hydrokinetic turbines (kite-mounted and vertical axis). Technology-specific risk assessments will be scaled up from single devices through arrays to the seascape level relevant in marine spatial planning. Solutions for reducing and eventually prohibiting risks will be examined, both regarding procedures to estimate the level of tolerable collision risk and regarding effectiveness of possible technical or planning oriented solutions.

The project will to a substantial part be experimental, based on field-studies, and will involve studies of collisions between animals and turbines and disturbance related to noise. The project will include design of experiments, and matching equipment, for the advanced studies of collisions, and the application of computer aided methods for analysis of experimental data.
In addition, participation in general departmental and group activities is expected, as well as some supervision.

The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
The applicant should have a Ph.D. degree (normally not older than 3 years at the start of the appointment). The PhD is preferably in Marin Ecology, Marine Biology, other Marine Sciences, Animal Behavior or equivalent. Extensive experience from fieldwork in marine or aquatic environment is a prerequisite. A high degree of independence in planning and carrying out research tasks will be required. An interest for multidisciplinary work and experiences from collaboration over different disciplines is important. Familiarity with population ecological models and experience from computer modelling is a merit, as is knowledge in animal behaviour and computer aided analysis of (large) multivariate datasets. A successful candidate should also demonstrate potential for teaching and research. A high proficiency in spoken and written English is a prerequisite.

The following experience is expected from the candidate:
- expertise in one, or several of the fields of importance, this includes animal behaviour and methods for observations of animal behaviour in the field (mainly vertebrates such as fish, pinnipeds, cetaceans, but not necessarily limited to these groups); data gathering, data handling and modelling;
- a high degree of independence and initiative regarding fieldwork;
- experience from high quality scientific research;
- experience from dissemination of research results, including publications in high quality scientific journals.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application deadline: 12 October, 2016

For questions, please contact:
Professor Sverker Molander, sverker.molander@chalmers.se, +46-31-772 21 69, +46-703088522
Linus Hammar, hammarlinus@gmail.com, +46-705943642

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