PhD Position – Modelling of Power Grids for High Performance Computing Simulation

Your Job:

The increasing share of fluctuating renewable energies in electricity generation leads to increased volatility as well as a strongly changed distribution of the power fed into the grid. This increases the requirements on the flexibility of the system and the operation of power grids. Additional electricity demand to decarbonize various energy sectors, such as transport and heating, as well as intersectoral flexibility options such as power-to-X lead to increasing sectoral interdependencies. Your task is to support our institute in the development of power grid models that are able to analyze this interaction of energy networks (electricity, gas, heat) and markets at high resolution.

Your areas of research will include among others:

• Modelling and analysis of power grids at all scales (distribution to transmission grids)
• Analysis of the stationary and dynamic characteristics of current and future energy systems characterized by high shares of inverter-based resources and renewable energies as well as increasing sector coupling
• Analysis of the influence of current and future flexibility options, PtX technologies and industrial processes
• Development of the interfaces to other grid models such as gas and heating grid models
• Contribution the development of a multi-physical grid simulation tool that makes use of the parallel infrastructures of supercomputers

Your tasks will include among others:

• Modelling of power grids
• Supervision of Master and Bachelor students
• Representation in national and international networks
• Presentation of your research results at (international) meetings and conferences, as well as in the form of publications in relevant journals

Your Profile:

• Excellent Masters degree in electrical engineering or comparable
• Programming skills in Python and C++
• Fluent written and spoken English and/or German
• Excellent ability to work as part of a team and in a cooperative manner
• Independent and analytical style of working

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• A highly motivated research group in one of the biggest research centers in Europe
• An excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
• Participation in project meetings and conferences
• Flexible work (location) arrangements, e.g. remote work to a degree
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The position is for a fixed term of 3,5 years, where the first half year serves as orientation and probation period. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.