The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for geosphere research. As a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres we are part of the largest scientific organization in Germany. With approximately 1,400 employees our key mission is to secure a profound understanding of the systems and processes of solid Earth, to develop strategies and options for action in addressing global change and its impacts on a regional level, to understand natural hazards and to minimize associated risks, to ensure the sustainable provision of energy and raw materials for a high-tech society and to evaluate the influence of human activity on system Earth.
As a partner in Geo.X, the GFZ has access to an excellent network of other geoscience institutions in Potsdam and Berlin. This largest regional concentration of geoscientific competence in Europe offers first-class cooperation and development opportunities.
For section 4.8 Geoenergy (department “Geosystems”), we are offering the following research position:
PhD student (f_m_x) Geothermal co‑simulation of district heating systems Kennziffer 6879
The section Geoenergy at the GFZ is seeking a PhD candidate to work on co-simulations in energy systems. The 3-year position is aimed at developing tools and models of district heating systems in urban areas, including comparative studies on system integration of geothermal options into decentralized district heating networks.
Your responsibilities:
- Simulation-based technical assessments of multi-energy systems
- Methodological development and modelling of the integration of geothermal applications into multi-energy district heating systems
- Analysis and comparative studies of use cases in urban areas of different size
- Writing of scientific publications
Your qualifications:
- Master's degree or equivalent in Applied Geosciences, Applied Physics, Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Process Engineering
- Professional experience in the field of geothermal energy or district heating systems
- Experience with the characterization and numerical computation of energy systems and/or district heating systems
- Experience with numerical modelling
- Skills in programming (e.g. Python, C++, Julia) and energy system modelling tools (e.g., Modelica, SimulationX, Dymola or similar) and co-simulation tools (e.g. energysim)
- Profound knowledge of fluid mechanics and heat transfer
- Proficiency in English (mandatory)
What we offer:
- Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Public service benefits
- Extensive training opportunities
- Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
- Flexible working hours and conditions
- Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
- Institute day-care centre on site
- Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
- Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
| Start date: | 1st March 2023 |
| Fixed-term: | 36 months |
| Salary: | The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications. |
| Working hours: | Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week) |
| Place of work: | Potsdam |
