Postdoctoral Position in Energy Systems Modelling of Hydrogen

Reducing CO₂ emissions to meet the Paris Agreement goals is driving the global energy transition, with hydrogen emerging as a key energy carrier. Its future role—whether produced locally or at large scales—remains uncertain. This Postdoc research at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) uses advanced energy systems modeling to assess hydrogen’s potential, analyzing its production, transport, storage, and consumption, while connecting with studies on public acceptance and risk perception.

Come work at the largest university of the Netherlands!
The urgent need to rapidly reduce CO2 emissions to avoid uncontrollable climate change and fulfil the requirements of the Paris Agreement shapes decisions on how to implement the energy transition in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Hydrogen is likely going to play a significant role as energy carrier in the global energy transition, but the extent to which it will contribute is still largely unknown. Green and other forms of hydrogen may be produced in small, decentralized locations close to where it is being consumed, while it could also become a fuel that is massively produced centrally, much as is currently the case with fossil fuels.

The aim of the research under this Postdoc position at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is to shed light onto the nature of large-scale hydrogen deployment by undertaking technology-rich energy systems modelling, building on available expertise and an existing track record in the field of energy scenarios development, and enriched with detailed techno-economic analysis of the technologies involved in the various stages of the hydrogen supply chain: production, transportation, storage and consumption. The Postdoc researcher will undertake energy system analysis with the well-established TIAM-ECN model to better understand the role of hydrogen in the global energy transition, and will connect with parallel work that assesses public acceptance and risk perception aspects of hydrogen technology by citizens, as well as their willingness-to-pay for it.

What are you going to do
We offer a 3-year Postdoctoral position investigating, through scenario analysis with the TIAM-ECN model, the diversity in the levels of centralization at which hydrogen can be produced, as well as in the types of hydrogen production possibilities themselves. You will be appointed at the Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) of the Faculty of Science (FNWI) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), but work closely together with colleagues from other Faculties at UvA, including the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG). Your work will be anchored at UvA FNWI but will be undertaken in close collaboration with researchers of TNO, the home base of the TIAM-ECN integrated assessment model. Also in-depth cooperation will be established with scientists from the National Growth Fund (“Groenvermogen NL”) project HySUCCESS, the main funder of this position, as well as researchers from the new UvA Climate Institute SEVEN and the network of the UvA Future of Energy (FoE) seminar series, since UvA has many researchers from all disciplines working on the multiple aspects of the energy transition and climate change mitigation. With these research groups you will explore, with the TIAM-ECN model, interventions that could accelerate the energy transition with particular focus on the role of hydrogen therein. TIAM-ECN is an established integrated assessment model allowing to investigate what the impacts on greenhouse gas emissions are from fundamental changes in the energy system, including those related to hydrogen deployment. TIAM-ECN encompasses energy use in all main sectors and it reflects hundreds of processes simulating energy conversion from resource extraction to end-use. As Postdoc you will undertake collaborative research efforts, present your findings at workshops and conferences, and publish your research results in academic journals, while assuming limited organizational responsibilities such as for the FoE seminar series.

What do you have to offer
We seek an exceptionally talented and motivated energy system modeler with a background in integrated assessment research, strong affinity with energy transition and climate mitigation studies, and a clear interest in working across disciplinary boundaries. In particular, we require:

• A PhD in this field;
• Strong modeling skills and affinity with related quantitative analysis;
• Interest in policy-oriented energy and climate change research;
• Demonstrated interdisciplinary work experience;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated support and/or management skills.

What do we have to offer
A temporary contract, preferably starting at September 1st 2025, for the duration of 36 months. Initially, we will appoint you on a temporary basis for one year. We offer you subsequently an extension of the employment contract of 2 years if we assess your performance positively. The appointment is full time (38 hours per week), but part-time employment (0.8 fte minimum) implicating a longer extension as compensation is negotiable.

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be € 3.378 to € 5.331 (scale 10) gross per month, based on fulltime (38 hours a week), exclusive 8 % holiday allowance and 8.3 end-of-year bonus. A favorable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The collective labour agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer?
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch.

Where will you work
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your CV and cover letter by April 1st, 2025. You can apply online by using the link below.

Applications should include:

• a motivation letter, including names and contact information of two references
• a CV, including a list of publications

We aim at inviting potential candidates for online interviews tentatively in April. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines).

Do you have questions about this vacancy or do you want to know more about this research? Please contact:

• Prof. dr. B. van der Zwaan, Professor of Sustainable Energy Technology at UvA and Principal Scientist at TNO
• Email: B.vanderZwaan@uva.nl

30.4 - 38 hours per week

Science Park 904