Postdoc Smart Community-Owned Renewable Energy Management

Successful applicant will perform action research in the context of an Interreg NWE funded project Smart Community-Owned Renewable Energy Management (SmartCORE). SmartCORE offers a strategy to make the future NWE energy system resilient and ready for more RES by engaging Energy Communities (ECs) in the integral energy management beyond mere RES production. However, current Energy Communities lack scale, capabilities, technology and resilience to engage in services that would keep the grid balanced and relief congestion. Abundant nuclear energy, dependence on international oil and gas markets, and regulatory issues further hinder urgency & awareness to consumer participation. The specific task of the postdoc therefore includes research on empowering existing Energy Communities in Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands to engage in integral energy management activities and on making their experience scalable to other European contexts through training. This includes, but is not limited to, exploring scale through organisation into Energy Community hubs, enhancing ECs capabilities, addressing technical deficiencies, scaling business models and tackling regulatory barriers.

Apart from research, postdoc researcher will support management of the project and production of project deliverables: strategic and regional action plans, development of the SmartCORE socio-technical solution and delivery of a training scheme to Energy Communities.

The postdoc will report the research findings at international conferences and in scientific journals. Given the very practical dimension of this project, the research findings will also be applied in practical environment of the Energy Communities and Interreg NWE and disseminated via non-academic channels. The successful applicant will have an opportunity to profit from doing transdisciplinary research in real life context. The researcher will be embedded in the TIS group, fully participate in the activities of the project, and will have a small teaching load (15%) as part of the job.

Requirements:

• PhD degree in sustainable innovation, sustainability transitions, or equivalent. Please, mind: this is NOT an engineering project, but broad understanding of technology is desirable.
• A research-oriented attitude and scientific mindedness.
• Experience with participatory, action-oriented approaches to research.
• Methodological skills and proven experience with mixed methods designs.
• Ability to work in a transdisciplinary team.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills as proven by publications.
• Proficiency in English (C1 level), Dutch is a pro.
• Experience with teaching and coaching students.
• Enthusiasm, self-reliance, strong organizational skills.

Salary Benefits:

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 four years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 3,378 max. € 5,331).
• 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.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

30.4 hours per week

De Rondom 70