PhD Researcher on Compact Modelling of Positive Energy Districts

**Job Description**
Seeking a motivated Ph.D. researcher to contribute to the EmPowerED project, which aims to accelerate and scale up the development of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) by involving key stakeholders in decision-making processes. The project focuses on creating a toolbox to explore and assess local heat solutions, with this specific Ph.D. position contributing to the development of simulation models for individual physical components of a PED, focusing primarily on residential heating systems. The research involves developing component models for thermal elements like heat exchangers, heat pumps, various heat storage systems, and heat sources for 5th generation district heating networks, emphasizing greater physical accuracy and predictive capability using reduced-order models (ROMs), input-output models from CFD, and data-based models from machine learning. The core challenge is balancing model accuracy with computational efficiency for integration into broader PED models.

**Skills & Abilities**
• Strong affinity with first-principles mathematical modelling of thermal systems.
• Proficiency in model reduction, system identification, and machine learning.
• Programming skills for development and implementation of computational models.
• Strong analytical and systems-thinking abilities.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) in English.
• Team-work attitude.
• Passion for the energy transition and its multidisciplinary challenges (technology, economics, and policy).
• Knowledge on energy transition and PEDs (nice to have).
• Experience with working in a multi-disciplinary environment (nice to have).
• Working knowledge of Dutch as a second language (nice to have).

**Qualifications**
Required Degree(s) in:
• Mechanical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Energy Sciences
• Applied Physics
• Scientific Computing
• Related field
Other:
• Recent or impending Master’s degree

**Experience**
Other:
• Experience with working in a multi-disciplinary environment (nice to have).

Note: We’ve analyzed the actual job post using AI, for more details visit the original job post by clicking on “Apply Now”!