Post-doctoral Researcher Energy System Modelling

VITO is an independent research institute that operates in today's economic and societal reality. Turning fundamental research into solutions and creating value for other companies and governments are our main drivers. Together with KU Leuven, Imec and UHasselt, VITO is research partner within EnergyVille.  

Commissioned by the Einstein Telescope EMR project office, a consortium of EnergyVille partners will investigate how the Einstein Telescope in the EU region Meuse-Rhine can use sustainable energy. The associated challenges, opportunities and costs will also be identified.

For VITO/EnergyVille we are currently seeking a highly motivated and experienced Postdoctoral Researcher for a contract of 18 months to join our SESAM (Sustainable Energy Systems Assessment & Modelling) team working on advanced energy system modelling for the Einstein Telescope (ET). This project aims to develop comprehensive, sustainable, and economically feasible energy systems tailored for the ET across all lifecycle phases, from construction through operation to decommissioning.

Project Overview

The Einstein Telescope demands continuous, high-quality energy solutions. Your role will focus on developing, evaluating, and optimizing energy system models and create scenarios with an emphasis on climate neutrality, cost-effectiveness, and technical viability. You will collaborate closely with internal project teams and external partners, leveraging cutting-edge modelling tools available at EnergyVille. The researcher will gather data, build a model and develop scenarios to identify sustainable energy supply for the Einstein telescope. This includes modelling a variety of energy sources, interaction with e.g. smart charging infrastructure, detailed discussions with project partners and external parties who design the Einstein Telescope.

Key Responsibilities

• Phase 1: Energy Requirement Analysis

  • Detailed modelling of dynamic and prospective energy requirements (electricity, heating/cooling, molecular energy carriers).

  • Analysis of construction phase energy demands, including excavation and material transport scenarios.

  • Incorporation of back-up and storage systems for uninterrupted energy supply.

• Phase 2: Scenario Development and Integration

  • Development of holistic energy system scenarios integrating local renewables, grid-supplied electricity, storage solutions, and innovative reuse strategies (e.g., electric vehicle charging, thermal integration).

  • Integration of emerging energy technologies and European energy cost and pricing trends.

• Phase 3: Optimization and Investment Modelling

  • Application of investment models to determine optimal energy system configurations balancing sustainability, costs, and technical performance.

• Sustainability and Emissions Assessment

  • Calculation and analysis of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions following European and national standards.

  • Assessment and minimization strategies for nitrogen and acidifying emissions, aligning with sustainability goals.

• You acquired a PhD in Energy Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Systems Modelling, or related fields, less than 6 years.

• Proven expertise in energy system modelling and analysis (e.g., optimization, investment modelling).

• You are passionate about the role of technology in energy and climate strategy, and have the required expertise to approach challenges from a systemic (quantitative) perspective.

• You are familiar with analysing and interpreting statistical energy/emission data sets and are looking forward to improve and use them as input for the long-term models.

• You can clearly communicate research conclusions in verbal and written format and you have a good knowledge of the English language.

Offer

• Post-doctoral research position for a period of 18 months 

• With us you have real impact, because together with your outstanding, helpful colleagues you look for innovative applications that offer an answer to today's challenges. 

• You will be part of an organization where we show integrity and always strive for mutual benefit in the cooperation with all parties involved. 

• VITO/EnergyVille is truly international: more than 40 different nationalities work with us. 

• We work activity based; our activities lead us to our location. On average we meet 2 times a week in our office in Genk. Hybrid work arrangements and/or working in a satellite office in Antwerp-Berchem, Ghent, Ostend or Mol is possible. 

• You will learn life-long and develop your technical skills further by using the newest of the latest technologies that you can test on the market yourself.