Research associate / PhD student (m/f/x)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) as soon as possible, we are looking for 1

Research associate / PhD student (m/f/x)

The energy transition poses many complex decision-making problems, e.g. for policy makers, companies, institutions and individual consumers. Therefore, large optimisation models are commonly used to provide decision support. These models are, however, often the result of pure “desk research” and yield theoretically optimal results that fail to address the interests and needs of real decision-makers and stakeholders.The Chair of Energy Systems and Energy Economics supports achieving an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable energy system in Germany, Europe and the World. For this purpose, we develop scientifically sound methods and provide evidence for improved and informed decision-making on future energy system design and operation. We pursue the principles of research excellence and policy-relevance.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.

• As a research associate and PhD student, you will conduct research at the intersection of energy system modelling and stakeholder participation.
• Develop and use innovative optimisation and decision analysis methods to model and assess energy transition strategies under consideration of economic, environmental, technical and social criteria
• Develop and realise your own research ideas at the intersection of energy system modelling and stakeholder participation, in particular using “modelling to generate alternatives” and multi-criteria decision analysis
• Collaborate with colleagues at the chair as well as potential partners from research and industry
• Publish the results of your work in leading international peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences
• The preparation of a PhD thesis is explicitly supported and desired
• Support the chair’s teaching activities and supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s theses that align with your research interests
• Support developing research proposals for the acquisition of third-party funding and thus help shape future research priorities

• A university degree (Master's degree or diploma) with honours in a mathematical-scientific field (e.g. mathematics, physics, informatics) or in an engineering or economic field with a strong quantitative modelling component (e.g. environmental engineering, industrial engineering, quantitative economics and management)
• Experience in energy system modelling (ideally with multi-criteria methods like modelling to generate alternatives) and multi-criteria decision analysis are a great advantage
• Strong structured and analytical way of thinking, proven ability to work on your own initiative as well as in a team
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills
• Very good command of written and spoken English and German
• Interest in interdisciplinary, energy economic and energy policy issues
• Skills in operations research and programming (e.g. Python, GAMS, Julia) as well as in conducting structured interviews are an advantage