Postdoc in techno-economic optimization of solar hybrid power plants

Job description

Next generation solar power plants for industrial-scale grid-connected heat and power supply must rely on the optimum combination and operation of solar and storage technologies that maximize the use of solar energy sources and provide flexibility for both the networks and end-users. These plants will likely integrated concentrating solar thermal and PV technologies with both thermal energy storage and batteries, and potentially also more innovative power-to-x technologies and advanced power cycles, e.g. supercritical CO2. In doing so the traditional energy-supply business models will also evolve, as these plants will be able to stack additional revenues from their flexibility and capacity to perform sector coupling where applicable. The present post-doc position will contribute and lead research in relation to the development and validation of techno-economic performance models for the design and operation of these plants.

The post-doc is expected to build upon existing in-house tools and, where applicable, enhance them by means of AI (machine learning) and data-driven methods. These models are aimed to support decision making of plant developers, network operators, technology developers, policymakers, and end-users. International cooperation with industrial and academic partners in the sector is planned. It is also expected that the post-doc ill support in the management of on-going research projects, for which previous experience is highly valuable. Co-supervision of PhD students is also foreseen.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, in the field of solar energy engineering with emphasis in system modeling. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Proven experience from doctoral thesis, authoring scientific publications or authoring industry reports (or equivalent industry), in the field of techno-economic modelling, concentrating solar power and energy storage
• Research expertise
• Teaching abilities
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality
• Collaborative and project management abilities
• Independence

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.
• Experience with own-developed techno-economic performance models applied to energy systems, preferably linked to solar energy and thermal energy storage. It is meritorious if the applicant has specific previous experience with KTH’s MoSES.       
• Proven experience in programming languages (e.g. in Python), and in best practices for code management and documentation. Additional experience in development of user interfaces, code debugging and optimization is also meritorious.        
• It is considered a merit to have previous experience within EU-funded collaborative international projects.         
• Proven experience in research project management and in proposal writing. 

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Join us at KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in advancing the transition towards a sustainable society. At KTH, you have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment, with good working conditions and attractive benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are essential to quality and form an integral part of KTH’s core values as a university and public authority.

Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work and grow at KTH.

Trade union representatives

Contact information to trade union representatives.

To apply for the position

Log into KTH's recruitment system to apply for this position. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad.

The application must include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
• Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Maximally two pages long.
• Copy of selected authored reports, scientific articles (or industrial equivalent) demonstrating previous relevant experience (Maximum 3 reports, all in PDF format).

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, three years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Other information

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It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.