Postdoc integrated heat-electricity solutions in local energy communities

Postdoc Integrated heat-electricity solutions in Local Energy Communities

Would you like to do research on organising local integrated heat-electricity production & consumption in Local Energy Communities. We offer a fully funded 4-year postdoc position on the ACcelerate energy CommUnities via local solar energy storage and heat (ACCU) project.

Functieomschrijving

This research position is part of the Interreg NWE funded ACCU project, which aims to organise local integrations of local renewable electricity generation with (collective) heating solutions in Local Energy Communities (LECs). It aims to overcome technical (e.g. (seasonal) disbalances and grid congestion), regulatory, social (e.g. Capabilities for initiating and organizing LECs involving various local stakeholders), and financial challenges (e.g. Viability of business cases for novel socio-technical configurations).

As postdoc researcher, you will focus on social-organizational solutions. This involves, but is not limited to, citizen engagement, community building, local governance models, and exploring local needs, challenges, and opportunities in diverse community contexts in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. In addition, the research involves gathering insights from both academic and grey literature and from real-world experimentation beyond the ACCU project. Finally, you will actively engage with the LECs involved in the ACCU project, to contribute to implementing and monitoring socio-organizational solutions, as well as how they relate to other socio-technical solutions.

Functie-eisen

We are looking for an enthusiastic, curious and creative candidate with:

• PhD degree in sustainability transitions, innovation sciences, science and technology studies (STS), or equivalent. Please, mind: this is NOT an engineering project!
• Affinity with teaching and education innovation in higher education
• Knowledge of, experience with, and eagerness to engage with participatory, action oriented or transdisciplinary approaches to research, involving a wide variety of societal stakeholders involved in and with local energy communities.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills and proficiency in English, Dutch and French are pros.
• Strong methodological skills and proven experience with qualitative research methods.
• Enthusiasm, self-reliance, strong organizational skills, scientific mindedness.

Arbeidsvoorwaarden

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 4 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.

Informatie en sollicitatie

is a leading international university of technology, where people are the heart and soul. With excellent research and education programs, we are an important hub in a world-class high-tech ecosystem. We contribute to progress in the technical sciences, to the development of socio-technical innovations, and as a result, to the sustainability and welfare in the region and beyond.

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Candidates should submit their applications through the TU/e application platform. The application must include the following documents in English:

1. Cover letter (1-page max) which includes motivation for your interest in the position, and an explanation of why your profile would be a good fit for the proposed project.
2. A 1500-word research proposal that outlines how you would approach this topic and ideas for conducting the research.
3. A sample research document written by you: a relevant paper, or a PhD thesis.

The deadline to apply is 31 January 2025. However, candidates are invited to apply as soon as possible.