Post-doc Position on Modeling of Energy Systems and Markets

Beschrijving

At the division of Applied Mechanics and Energy Conversion (TME) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven, and embedded in EnergyVille, a dynamic research group led by prof. Erik Delarue is working on the modeling of energy systems and markets (unit commitment, system planning, equilibrium modeling, renewables integration, energy policy and energy market design). In this Energy Systems Integration and Modeling (ESIM) research group, PhD students and post-docs are working on modeling and on applications towards energy and climate policies.

Our energy system is undergoing drastic changes in an aim towards decarbonization. On the generation side, we face rapidly increasing shares of intermittent renewable energy sources (RES) like wind and solar photovoltaics. On the demand side, increased levels of electrification offer a means to increase efficiency and to move away from fossil sources, while energy system integration could offer needed flexibility. These days, increasing amounts of data become available related to various aspects of our energy system. This data, in turn, can be leveraged to enhance the predictive power of our modeling efforts, e.g. on reserve sizing, residential flexibility, etc. For this position, we are searching for a highly motivated candidate with a strong spirit for power system modeling and for the use of data-driven techniques (e.g. machine learning). The candidate will contribute to multiple projects in terms of model development, model validation, and identifying or connecting to relevant data sources. Furthermore, the individual that we are looking for is comfortable with project management such as leading work packages and tasks, writing deliverables, and organizing international workshops, as well as interacting with / coaching PhD students.

Profiel

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and communicative researcher with a PhD degree in Engineering or a related field, from a reputable institute. Candidates should have a strong interest in energy, especially in energy system operation and planning, as well as in modeling. Experience with Julia / Python / GAMS / Matlab is a plus. Candidates with a background in optimization, data science, computer science, and operations research are also encouraged to apply. Applicants should also have good English communication skills. KU Leuven is among the top European universities. It is a key player in the field of energy research, also through the collaboration within EnergyVille.We offer :

• A post-doc position for one year, possibly to be extended
• Multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.)
• The opportunity to participate in an international research project, collaborations and conferences.
• The targeted start date is to be agreed upon. This research is to be performed within the framework of EnergyVille, a research collaboration on sustainable energy between KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt.