Postdoc/Scientist position on enhancing resilience of defence infrastructure with a focus on energy supply

12 mars 2026
100%
Durée indéterminée
anglais (Courant)
Ueberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf

À propos de cette offre

Postdoc/Scientist position on enhancing resilience of defence infrastructure with a focus on energy supply

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Our U rban Energy Systems Laboratory (UESL) develops strategies and methods to support the creation of decarbonized, resilient, and equitable energy systems.

Empa collaborates with the Federal Office for Defence Procurement, armasuisse, to assess and optimize the energy supply security for a defence relevant site in Switzerland. A particular focus lies on the fuel supply for aviation.

Your tasks

Build a sector coupled energy system model in collaboration with armasuisse and the site representatives

Integrating fuel synthesis technologies and supply chains into the energy system model

Assess the energy system towards different metrics and optimization objectives such as cost, CO2 emissions, self-sufficiency and autonomy

Coordinate the developments with the project manager

Present the results internally and externally

Your profile

We seek a highly motivated and dedicated scientist or experienced professional with a PhD in mechanical or chemical engineering, or an equivalent qualification in a related field. The ideal candidate possess profound interdisciplinary knowledge of the ongoing energy transition, with specific expertise in optimization methods and energy system modeling.

Key qualifications include:

Experience in energy system modeling and optimization

Familiarity with optimization methods, such as Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP)

A strong track record of relevant publications

Excellent English skills, along with proficiency in at least one Swiss national language (German, French, Italian, or Romansh).

Ideally, the candidate also:

Has worked in or with the defence sector

Has programming experience in Python and Pyomo

Due to the position's close collaboration with the Swiss defence industry and the armed forces, preference will be given to applicants who are currently based in Switzerland and/or who hold Swiss, EU, or EFTA citizenship.

Our offer

A stimulating, and interdisciplinary research environment with excellent infrastructure and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

An exiting project tackling critical questions of the energy transition in a changing geo-political context

The possibility to start immediately

We foster a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.

Patricia Nitzsche,
Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources