PhD student in energy engineering – Energy system modeling to analyse the role of hydropower in the Swedish green energy transition

The Department for Energy Science is looking for candidates who want to do a doctorate in Energy Engineering. Your research will focus on the transformation of the Swedish power system in order to support the green transition and meet Sweden’s climate goals. The research is based on applying the TIMES model framework, which is widely used across the globe to analyse energy transitions at local, national, or global scales.

Project description
The project is about exploring the conditions and opportunities for Swedish hydropower to contribute with additional flexibility to the power system. This is needed as the shares of wind and solar power are increasing in the Swedish and European power grids. The overarching aim of the project is to explore opportunities for the Swedish power system to meet the increasing electricity demand, which is needed to achieve the Swedish and global climate targets. Funding is received from the Swedish Energy Agency.

The role of the PhD candidate is first to develop a new power system module for the existing TIMES-Sweden model and then to apply the model to develop a portfolio of actions and policies that are key for the future fossil-free Swedish power system given foreseen increasing power demand.

Duties
A PhD student research position means being part of a research group where you in collaboration with others carry out scientific work as well as teaching. The work includes for example:

Collect and analyze relevant data and information with a focus on hydropower and the power market.
Develop and use TIMES-based models.
Scenario analysis and communicate the results from them,
Write scientific articles both individually and together with others in the research group.
Scientific research presentation (nationally and international.
Participating in seminar activities within the research group.

Institutional employment may include being a course assistant in two undergraduate courses, Sustainable energy systems and Environmental system analysis, as well as supervising master student projects within the master program in Sustainable energy engineering.

Research group
The research group working with TIMES models at LTU has a good national and international reputation and is a sought-after partner in both academic and public contexts. The research is within applied system analysis, energy system optimization, sustainable energy transition, climate transition and scenario analysis. Much of the analysis is done with TIMES-Sweden, a model that includes both energy supply and user sectors.

Energy Engineering is a part of the Division of Energy Science in the Department of Engineering Science and Mathematics, which is a subject-wide department with many successful research groups and recognized educational programs. In Energy Engineering, we have a close collaboration with industries and organizations in both research projects and student projects. The research is of international quality, and we collaborate with researchers around the world. Within the area of Energy system analysis, the research is targeted at the transition to a sustainable future, including but not limited to, studies related to new technologies, process integration and policy measures, as well as overall energy system aspects at local, national and supranational levels. We collaborate interdisciplinary with several social science subjects.

Subject description
Energy Engineering concerns the development of technologies and processes in order to build a sustainable energy supply. The research focuses on bioenergy technologies and energy-efficiency in industry and society.

About Lulea University of Technology
Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of SEK 1.9 billion per year. We currently have 1,840 employees and 17,670 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

Here you have the opportunity to belong to an innovative research environment that develops new knowledge about one of the great societal challenges of our time.

Qualifications
To be qualified to apply for this position you have a MSc or equivalent degree in Environment and Energy, Mathematics, Operational Research, Physical Resource Theory or similar areas. Advanced knowledge of written and spoken English is required. As the project includes researchers from different disciplines, you should be able to demonstrate the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment. Below are considered important merits:

Demonstrated understanding of energy systems at a national level.
Demonstrated experience with energy system models.
Knowledge and skills in energy technology.
Ability to formulate and handle scientific problems.

Additional merits for this position:

Demonstrated experience of modelling national power systems.
Demonstrated experience in developing/applying optimization models.
Demonstrated experience of scenario analysis to achieve various climate goals.
Knowledge of sustainable energy transition.
Knowledge of power markets.
Understand Swedish and be able to get understood in a conversation in Swedish, when some sources only are available in Swedish and when there will be knowledge exchange with civil servants/experts that are not fluent in English.

For further information about the specific doctoral program: General syllabus for the Board of the faculty of science and technology

Information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 20%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: by agreement.

For further information, please contact: Anna Krook Riekkola, Associates professor, (+46) 920-49 2552 anna.krook-riekkola@ltu.se

Union representatives: 
SACO-S Diana Chroneer, (+46) 920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se
OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46) 920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, Personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish. Mark your application with the reference number below.

Closing date for application: 31 October 2024
Ref no: 3959-2024

Qualifications
To be qualified to apply for this position you have a MSc or equivalent degree in Environment and Energy, Mathematics, Operational Research, Physical Resource Theory or similar areas. Advanced knowledge of written and spoken English is required. As the project includes researchers from different disciplines, you should be able to demonstrate the ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment. Below are considered important merits:

Demonstrated understanding of energy systems at a national level.
Demonstrated experience with energy system models.
Knowledge and skills in energy technology.
Ability to formulate and handle scientific problems.

Additional merits for this position:
Demonstrated experience of modelling national power systems.
Demonstrated experience in developing/applying optimization models.
Demonstrated experience of scenario analysis to achieve various climate goals.
Knowledge of sustainable energy transition.
Knowledge of power markets.
Understand Swedish and be able to get understood in a conversation in Swedish, when some sources only are available in Swedish and when there will be knowledge exchange with civil servants/experts that are not fluent in English.