Information about the research and the division
Our research aims to provide long-term, and most often global, perspectives on future renewable fuels for transport. We seek to rigorously analyze the feasibility of energy transitions, utilize empirical as well as estimated data, and explore whether and under what conditions changes can occur as well as the cost-effectiveness and environmental effects of such changes. Research tools include techno-economic assessments, life cycle assessment, and cost-minimizing models where all energy sectors compete for the same primary energy sources in a future carbon constrained world. Currently, we have a special interest in the role of hydrogen and electrofuels (fuels produced by combining energy from electricity, hydrogen from water via electrolysis, and carbon, or possibly nitrogen, into liquid or gaseous hydrogen-containing end-fuels) in the fuel mix, meeting ambitious climate targets.

To meet future climate targets, aviation, and shipping as well as road transport need to reduce their climate impact. The use of renewable fuels needs to increase for all transport modes. Biomass-based fuels, electrification, hydrogen and electrofuels are being developed for different parts of the transport sector.

The research within the position will focus on answering the following over-arching question: what are the potential roles of hydrogen in achieving cost-effective, energy efficient and sustainable transport? This question is part of an even broader research agenda on understanding the feasibility of climate mitigation targets.

For hydrogen, storage and distribution represent challenges. Your initial task will be to develop a European model for hydrogen infrastructure requirements. The model will develop different future European hydrogen demand scenarios by modelling cost, efficiency, small scale versus large scale hydrogen production, tank stations/bunker terminals etc. Results from this model will be used as input data to the Global Energy Transition (GET) model and other existing models, developed and used by researchers at Chalmers.

The Global Energy Transition (GET) model is a cost minimizing “bottom-up” systems engineering model of the global energy system used in our team. It can be used to study carbon mitigation strategies while minimizing the discounted total energy systems cost for the period under study. The model focuses on the supply side and has five end use sectors: electricity, transport, feedstock, residential -commercial heat and industrial process heat, and generates fuel mix scenarios, for different transport modes, that meets the modeled constraints at lowest cost.

The position will be hosted by the unit of Maritime Environmental Sciences at the department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences. Our research team, presently consisting of three senior researchers, three PhD students, and two postdocs, is embedded in an interdisciplinary environment where we have close collaboration with other research teams at Chalmers such as technology experts, systems engineers, natural and social scientists carrying out research on solutions to major environmental challenges. We also collaborate with international organizations within academia and industry.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility as a PhD student is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research, both orally and in writing, in English. Your research will be supervised by well-reputed senior researchers at the unit Maritime Environmental Sciences at the department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences. Your work as PhD student is performed in collaboration with researchers, industry professionals, and other PhD students. The position is part of the competence centre TechForH2 focusing on hydrogen for transport in which several PhD students and postdocs will be engaged. More than 90% of your time will be dedicated to research and doctoral courses required for obtaining a PhD, which include reviewing literature, participating in the design of research studies, interacting with companies and authorities, collecting and analysing empirical data, and disseminating research results in scientific journals and reports as well as to industry and public.

The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other department duties corresponding to up to 10% of working hours. 

Qualifications
To qualify for this position you must have a master's level degree, awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers), in a relevant field such as industrial ecology, energy technology, or applied mathematics, with a specialization in energy systems analysis, energy modelling, or energy transitions. Proven experience with data analysis and programming (e.g., GAMS, Matlab, Python or R) is also a must. Knowledge of alternative transport fuels is beneficial. You are, further, expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills in English and strong commitment to scientific inquiry.

We are looking for a motivated and independent researcher with good analytical skills who is interested in the transport sector transition, interdisciplinary research with a holistic systems perspective. We also believe that you have a strong curiosity and a genuine wish to learn more and develop your skills and knowledge further in the fields of research, research communication and project management.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment limited to a maximum of 4.5 years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220368 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Application deadline: 2022-09-01

For questions, please contact:

Maria Grahn, Associate professor in Energy Systems Analysis. Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Maritime Environmental Sciences
Email: maria.grahn@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 772 3104

Selma Brynolf, Researcher in Assessment of Future Fuels and Propulsion System. Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Maritime Environmental Sciences
Email: selma.brynolf@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31-772 2237

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 


Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!