The Renewable Energy Systems group, led by Prof. Evelina Trutnevyte, at the University of Geneva is looking to fill a PhD position in long-range energy systems modeling. Located at the Faculty of Science and at the interfaculty Institute for Environmental Sciences, the Renewable Energy Systems group has three strategic research themes. First, it uses mathematical modeling and technology assessment tools in order to inform transition to renewable energy systems at all spatial scales, from neighborhoods and cities to countries and continents. Second, the group works with multi-disciplinary methods for improving quantitative long-range energy foresight for decision making under deep uncertainty. Third, the group searches for system-level socio-technical energy solutions that are techno-economically feasible, environmentally desirable, as well as acceptable and realistically implementable in society. The scientific work in the group regularly involves interactions with practitioners outside academia, including policy makers, stakeholders, and the wider public.
The successful candidate will work in a team on the project “Accuracy of long-range national energy projections”, funded by the prestigious Eccellenza grant of the Swiss National Science Foundation. The project will challenge the common assumption that accuracy cannot be improved when modeling long-range national energy projections for policy applications. Using extensive retrospective and prospective modeling of energy systems in all European countries, the project will collect first-of-the-kind generalizable empirical evidence to define new accuracy benchmarks. It will then deliver novel concepts, modeling tools, and data for the wider community to achieve these new benchmarks.
The successful candidate will share the vision of modeling-based multi-disciplinary work at science-society interface that the Renewable Energy Systems group is conducting. The group’s website and publications are examples of such work.
In return, the Renewable Energy Systems group provides a stimulating and innovative research environment to work on some of today’s most pressing societal challenges – energy and climate change. The city of Geneva takes pioneering action in promoting renewable energy as well as hosts multiple international organizations that foster global transition. The Renewable Energy Systems group offers excellent conditions for PostDocs, including a competitive salary as well as funds for travel and further education. The city of Geneva consistently ranks among the most attractive cities worldwide to live.
Application process and requirements
In order to qualify for the position, the candidate is required to have:
• Completed or nearly completed PhD degree;
• Proven knowledge of energy technology, energy systems modeling, energy economics, and/or quantitative environmental science. Candidates from other fields will be considered if they demonstrate relevant modeling skills;
• Interest in developing energy models and working with data and statistics in a multi-disciplinary environment that specializes in socio-technical dimensions of energy and climate change;
• Familiarity with European energy discussions and policies;
• Peer-reviewed journal publications as first author;
• Excellent English skills in understanding, speaking, and writing;
• French or German skills are an advantage, along with any other European languages.
• Women applicants are particularly invited to apply.
Please send your application to
[email protected]. The applications shall include:
• Motivation letter in English;
• CV;
• Recommendation letters or work certificates of two referees; the letters can be submitted by the candidate directly or can be sent by the referees to the email address above;
• Sample document of academic writing in English, i.e. peer-reviewed publication as first author;
• Scanned copy of the Master’s degree diploma with grades;
• A short note on where you learnt about the open position.
If the size of the email exceeds 10 MB, only the motivation letter and CV shall be included in the email as well as a link for downloading the rest of the documents, e.g. Dropbox.
The first deadline of applications will close on Monday, 26 April 2020. Further applications may be accepted because the position will stay open until the suitable candidate is found. The starting date will be mutually agreed on and is foreseen to be in autumn 2020 or winter 2021.
For questions, please send an email to
[email protected]
