Doctoral student in Flexible Thermal Power Plants - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Energy Technology

The development of more sustainable and flexible thermal power plants is considered to be one of the most promising means to facilitate renewable electricity penetration in the short term. In EU specifically, natural gas driven combined cycle plants have undergone from being the backbone of the grid to providing most of the regulation services necessary to increase the share of fluctuating renewables like solar and wind. In order to enhance the performance of these plants from an environmental, technical and economic standpoint several paths have been identified including: hybridization with renewables and storage in co-location or virtual aggregation fashion; a “fuel-switch” to biomass-based or non-conventional fuels like ammonia and hydrogen; the integration of thermal energy storage and heat pumps within the cycles; and other power-to-X solutions.

The PhD project purpose is to develop techno-economic models and market-oriented analysis tools to evaluate the impact of the suggested paths forward on the performance on the plant, both for new to-be constructed plants, and also for retrofitting existing assets. The work will be performed in close collaboration with leading EU industrial and research actors, and is funded by the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency of the European Commission under the H2020 framework.

The doctoral student will be placed at KTH and supervised by:Prof. Björn Laumert and Dr. Rafael Guédez.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.
• Requirements for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here.

Completed degree must be in energy technology, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering or equivalent with completed coursework in applied thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics.

Selection

Knowledge of solar energy, wind power, heat and power technology and/or energy storage is a merit. Experience in modeling power systems with renewable energy sources is a merit, as is experience in mixed-integer linear programming optimization and/or genetic algorithm optimization for such applications.

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.

Target degree: Doctoral exam

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

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