The Urban Energy Systems Laboratory at Empa is looking for a PhD candidate to join the MSCA Doctoral Network (CoDEF), focused on Consumer Energy Demand Flexibility in Electricity Use.
Research Focus
The PhD will explore how flexibility on the consumer side affects the planning and design of multi-energy districts, using modeling and optimization methods. Real-world data from Empa’s NEST demonstrator will support the analysis.
Key topics include:
- Optimization-based planning of multi-energy systems
- Integration of consumer-side flexibility into energy district design
- Impacts on system sizing, demand reduction, and supply security
- Collaboration with KU Leuven and Urban Sympheny AG through planned secondments
Profile
We are seeking candidates with:
- MSc in Energy, Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental or Electrical Engineering (or similar)
- Strong skills in modeling, optimization, Python and/or R
- Interest in interdisciplinary work and the energy transition
- Eligibility for MSCA mobility rules (you must not have resided in Switzerland for more than 12 of the last 36 months)
Offer
- 4-year PhD with enrollment at KU Leuven
- Position based at Empa in Dübendorf, near Zurich
- Planned secondments in Belgium and Switzerland
- Interdisciplinary team, access to real demonstrators, and strong academic/industry network
Apply here:
For more on our lab: https://www.empa.ch/web/s313
Please share with anyone interested and don’t hesitate to reach out for informal inquiries.