Postdoctoral position – Energy Systems Modelling and Optimization

Postdoctoral position – Energy Systems Modelling and Optimization

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Reliability and Risk Engineering Lab in the Institute of Energy and Process Engineering aims to identify and mitigate systemic risks in interdependent critical infrastructure networks and complex energy systems by quantitatively defining reliability, resilience, and risk within these systems. With our modelling, we inform policymakers in the transition to resilient, fair, and sustainable energy and critical infrastructure systems.

The position is available immediately by agreement. The project duration is 2 years (annual contracts).

Project background

The Reliability and Risk Engineering Lab supports the creation of sustainable and resilient energy value chains to speed up the energy transition. To this end, the group develops models investigate net-zero transition pathways of the Swiss and the European energy systems and analyze factors that can hinder the roll-out of sector-coupled pathways.

Job description

The goal of this position is to lead the energy system optimization sub-group of the Reliability and Risk Engineering Lab. To this aim, the successful candidate will:

• Advance mathematical optimization methods to further our understanding of future energy systems
• Conduct interdisciplinary analyses related to future energy systems, e.g., energy policy, behavioral economics, climate modeling, risk management
• Contribute to national and international projects in the field of energy systems transition
• Supervise doctoral students in the field of energy system optimization
• Contribute to shaping the research mission in the energy system modeling group at the Reliability and Risk Engineering Lab

To address these points, you will have access to state-of-the-art computational capabilities, and you will be in contact with experts within ETH Zurich and worldwide.

Your profile

We are looking for highly motivated and self-organized individual with a PhD in engineering or in a quantitative discipline (such as applied physics, mathematics, or economics) from an internationally recognized university and an excellent academic track record. Successful candidates have (1) a background in energy system optimization, quantitative modeling, and programming (e.g., Matlab, Python, Julia, GAMS) with a focus on multi-energy systems, sector-coupled energy systems, energy networks, and/or transition pathway models, and (2) a demonstrated knowledge of mixed-integer linear programming solvers (e.g., CPLEX, Gurobi, MOSEK) and of modeling environments (e.g., Yalmip, Pyomo, CVX, CVXPY). Knowledge of uncertainty quantification is a plus.

We require excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Knowledge of German is welcome.

You should combine strong individual research with teamwork and leadership capabilities to guide the energy system optimization sub-group of the Reliability and Risk Engineering Lab.

Your workplace

Your workplace

We offer

To work on this interdisciplinary project, you will be part of the Reliability and Risk Engineering Lab of ETH Zürich. You will work in a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art computational infrastructure.

We value an open and inclusive group culture. As a member of the Reliability and Risk Engineering group, you will be expected to help us maintain a positive team dynamic and a welcoming work environment.

We explicitly encourage female candidates to apply. We offer a modern, dynamic, international, and multidisciplinary work environment, as well as a young and enthusiastic team that values teamwork.

A competitive salary will be offered according to post-doc salaries at ETH Zurich as well as other attractive working conditions.

We value diversity

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae including your educational history and a full list of publications
• Letter of motivation of max. 2 pages covering your past research experiences and future research interests, goals and how they would relate to and fit in with the project and the Reliability and Risk Engineering group’s research domain and activities
• Names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of at least two references, mentioning for each the professional relationship you have with them

Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the opening is filled.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about the Reliability and Risk Engineering group can be found on our website. For further information, please contact Prof. Giovanni Sansavini via email sansavig@ethz.ch (no application documents).

About ETH Zürich

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae including your educational history and a full list of publications
• Letter of motivation of max. 2 pages covering your past research experiences and future research interests, goals and how they would relate to and fit in with the project and the Reliability and Risk Engineering group’s research domain and activities
• Names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of at least two references, mentioning for each the professional relationship you have with them

Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the opening is filled.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about the Reliability and Risk Engineering group can be found on our website. For further information, please contact Prof. Giovanni Sansavini via email sansavig@ethz.ch (no application documents).