Time Span as soon as possible for 3 years Application Deadline 31 Jan 2023 Financing yes Type of Position
Field of Research
Subjects natural or industrial engineering or a related field of study Description Conducting research for a changing society: This is what drives us at Forschungszentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, we aim to tackle the grand societal challenges of our time and conduct research into the possibilities of a digitized society, a climate- friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. Work together with around 7,100 employees in one of Europe's biggest research centres and help us to shape change!
You would like to use your engineering skills to make an effective contribution to solving the major challenges facing society, e.g. in the fields of information, energy, and bioeconomy? Then the Central Institute for Engineering, Electronics, and Analytics – Engineering and Technology (ZEA-1) – of Forschungszentrum Jülich is the right place for you. Here, you will design, develop, and manufacture scientific and technical devices, systems, and processes for which there is as yet no technical or commercial solution and which are not available on the market.
We are offering you an exciting position with immediate effect as a
PhD Student – Material Bottlenecks of the Global Energy Transition
Your Job: The transformation of our energy system towards greenhouse gas neutrality requires large quantities of materials for the construction of new energy technologies. These include so-called critical materials whose availability may be limited due to geopolitical constraints and current recycling limits. This can lead to material shortages, which could endanger the energy transition. Therefore, the material requirements for the energy technologies that we urgently need for the energy transition will be determined in detail within the scope of this doctoral thesis. Based on this, it will be investigated whether and, if so, in what form these new material demands could lead to material bottlenecks.
Among other things, you will analyze how the material demand of energy technologies could also develop in the future as a result of technical improvements. For this purpose, data and methods for the analysis of material flows and stocks will be researched and combined with possible future technology developments to form projections of material demands within scenarios. Within these scenarios, methods for learning curves and technology diffusion will be taken into account. The thesis will also investigate how increased product lifetime and different sizes of capacities (e.g. for very large wind turbines) could affect material demand. To this end, you will develop the demand part of a material system model that should be integrable with our energy system model FINE (https: // github.com/FZJ-IEK3-VSA/FINE) and perform the following tasks:
- Creative, science-based development of an approach for detailed determination of material demands for energy technologies - Development and implementation of the material demand in an integrated energy material system model in Python - Integration of the required material data into the developed model - Identification of material demands of energy technologies for different possible future scenarios and possible path dependencies - Analysis of possible material bottlenecks as a result of future material demands of energy technologies
Your Profile: - A successfully completed master's degree in the field of natural or (industrial) engineering or a related field of study - Good knowledge of material flow analysis methods - Very good knowledge of energy technology - Basic programming skills (e.g. Python) - High degree of independence and willingness to show great commitment - Very reliable and conscientious work style - Fluent written and spoken English, German language skills would be an advantage
Our Offer: We work on highly topical socially relevant issues and offer you the opportunity to actively shape change! We offer you optimal conditions for your successful PhD:
- Strong collaboration in a project team and participation in a renowned ERC Starting Grant (“MATERIALIZE”) - A highly motivated working group as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment in one of the largest research institutions in Europe - Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure - Opportunity to participate in (international) conferences - Continuous professional supervision by your scientific supervisor(s) - Best conditions for successful work in a home office (a move to the Aachen-Düsseldorf-Cologne region is not absolutely necessary) - A large research campus in the countryside, which offers the best opportunities for networking with colleagues as well as for sporting activities outside of work - Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https: // www. fz- juelich.de/en/judocs - The opportunity to complete a doctoral thesis within three years through professional supervision and internal support services; time taken to submit the final thesis for the last 16 doctoral students at IEK-3: 2.7–3.4 years - 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year) - Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our international Advisory Services
The position is for a fixed term of three years. Pay will be in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD- Bund) and additionally 60% of a monthly salary as special payment (“Christmas bonus”). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at https: // www. fz-juelich.de/gp/CareersDocs.
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.
We look forward to receiving your application. The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible via our Online Recruitment System: www. fz-juelich.de/en/careers/jobs/2022D-176?apply
Questions about the offer? Please feel free to contact us via our contact form: www. fz-juelich.de/en/careers/jobs/2022D-176?contact Please note that for technical reasons we cannot accept applications via email.
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More Information https: // www. fz-juelich.de/en/careers/jobs/2022D-176