PhD Position in Operational Feasibility and Robustness of AI- and Multifractal-Inspired Urban Energy Systems
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Job Location:
Uster - Switzerland
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research Empas around 1100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.
Your tasks
The focus of this PhD position is to assess the operational feasibility and robustness of urban energy system designs emerging from AI- and multifractal-informed planning approaches. The PhD will develop and apply optimization-based energy system models to analyse whether spatially coherent urban and energy configurations can be operated efficiently under realistic physical spatial and infrastructural constraints.
The work aims to identify feasible operating patterns for electricity and heating systems at the district and urban scale and to study how spatial characteristics and uncertainty (e.g. demand evolution renewable generation) influence system performance and trade-offs. The research will combine analytical modelling with data-driven and AI-based methods for example for scenario generation or uncertainty exploration.
The PhD will work with synthetic test cases and real urban case studies in Switzerland and France in close collaboration with partners of the FRACNET-CITY consortium.
Your profile
ou are a highly motivated and qualified candidate holding a Masters degree in Engineering Energy Systems Applied Mathematics Operations Research Physics or a related field. You bring a strong analytical background and experience with optimization models and quantitative analysis methods. Familiarity with urban energy systems energy infrastructures or spatial modelling and analysis is a strong asset.
You are proficient working with programming languages such as Python MATLAB or similar and are interested in combining analytical modelling with data-driven or AI-based approaches. You are self-driven curious and able to work both independently and in interdisciplinary research teams. Proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required; knowledge of German and/or French is an advantage.
Our offer
We offer a challenging and stimulating PhD position in a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment with excellent infrastructure. The successful candidate will be embedded in the Urban Energy Systems Laboratory (UESL) at Empa and benefit from close collaboration within the FRACNET-CITY French - Swiss research consortium providing access to complementary expertise in energy systems spatial analysis and artificial intelligence.
The PhD position will be formally hosted at Empa with opportunities for research stays at partner institutions in Switzerland and France. The starting date is flexible ideally in September 2026 or upon mutual agreement.
We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation an up-to-date CV transcripts of all obtained degrees (in English) one publication (e.g. MSc thesis or a conference/journal publication link is sufficient). Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.
PatriciaNitzsche Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources
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About Company
Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.
