Doctoral student in Energy Sciences with a focus on demand side management, digitization and energy exchange between energy companies and customers - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research group for Efficient Energy Systems at the Department of Energy Sciences has extensive experience of research on efficient energy systems with a special focus on grid bound energy systems. We work interdisciplinary and have a large network of contacts in the energy industry and municipalities

Project description

The announced employment is part of the project "Digital platform for trade and control of energy" which is a project based on a collaboration between the energy company Kraftringen AB (which owns local electricity and district heating networks in Lund) and Region Skåne (which owns and manages properties in the hospital area in Lund). Other actors involved in the project are Energy Opticon, RISE Research Institute of Sweden, Sustainable Business Hub and the Department of Energy Sciences, where the doctoral student will be employed.

The purpose of the project "Digital platform for trade and control of energy" is to create digitized, smart solutions that contribute to a more sustainable energy system, where several energy solutions are integrated for increased robustness in energy systems as well as for reduced peak load problems. The project will investigate whether Region Skåne can be a supplier of flexibility for the overall energy systems in Kraftringen's electric grid and district heating systems. The goal is to produce a secure, commercializable and replicable digital tool and a profitable business model ready to be disseminated.

The project includes various steps. First, it is investigated how energy users' flexibility can be utilized together with variable prices for electricity, heating and cooling and how this can be linked to overhead energy systems for increased system utility. Subsequently, a digital platform for trade and control of energy will be built, which will be tested in a pilot in a number of buildings in the hospital area in Lund. An hourly rate based on energy system benefit is calculated and forms the basis for roadmaps that advise the customer / prosumer on how it should act. To include customers / prosumers in this way, provides an opportunity for them to actively control their energy use based on signals such as price or environmental benefits.

Work duties

The doctoral work at the Department of Energy Sciences includes research on demand-side management, digitization and business models for energy exchange between customer and company.

The doctoral student will work with different parts of the project. To begin with, a study aimed at identifying the load control potential shall be carried out to identify facilities with flexibility and to define the characteristics of flexibility based on values such as power, availability, endurance and response time. The doctoral student will also be involved in the development of business models with associated pricing models that aim to improve customer incentives to steer towards a more sustainable energy system. Furthermore, the doctoral student has an important role in evaluating the pilot that will be developed with a focus on power and energy management, cost savings and environmental impact. The doctoral student will also carry out studies in order to contribute to the replicability of the pilot and business models.

The main task for the doctoral student is to devote herself or himself to the doctoral education at the Department of Energy Sciences, which includes both participation in research projects and postgraduate courses. The tasks also include participation in teaching and other departmental work, however, a maximum of 20% of working hours.

Admission requirements

A person meet the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• Has been awarded a second-cycle qualification or
• Has satisfied the requirements of courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• Has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Energy Sciences if the person has:

• at least 90 credits in the subject of the third-cycle programme, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses of relevance to the subject and 30 credits from a second-cycle degree project of relevance to the subject.
• a Master’s degree of relevance to the field

Other requirements:

• Good knowledge of English, in speech and writing.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student's potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following: 

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, eg professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Good knowledge of Swedish, in speech and writing.
• Experience of demand side management.

Consideration will also be given to good collaboration skills, drive and independence, as well as how the applicant, through his or her experience and competence, is judged to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral program.

Terms of employment

Only those who have been admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as doctoral students. The doctoral program is four years in full-time studies. In the case of teaching and other departmental work, the employment is extended to a corresponding degree, however, for a maximum of 5 years (ie a maximum of 20%). Provisions regarding employment as a doctoral student are found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993: 100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

Instructions on how to apply

You apply for the job via the link at the bottom of the ad. The application should be written in English. The application must contain:

• CV
• Personal letter with motivation as to why you are interested in the employment and in what way the research project matches your interests and your educational background.
• Diplomas or equivalent and anything else you wish to invoke (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).
• Relevant essays must be attached to the application (bachelor's thesis, master's thesis / degree project)