PhD Position Modelling & Optimal Control of Thermal Buffers in Integrated Local Energy Systems

Join us to develop and improve sustainable heating and cooling by optimizing centralise and individual low temperature supply systems using various renewable sources and buffering.

Job description
Heating and cooling the built environment accounts for around 25% of the energy used in Europe. Since most of this energy is still fossil fuel-derived, decarbonizing heating could help achieve the EU’s ambitions of a net-zero greenhouse gas economy by 2050. Large-scale seasonal heat storage and electrification using heat pumps is a key part of the strategy because sustainable heat is mainly available in the summer, while the demand is in winter. As a PhD candidate in Modelling & Optimal (Model Predictive) Control of Integrated Local Energy Systems you will play an important part in TU Delft’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and benefit society.

Currently, TU Delft collaborates in two nationally funded projects on utility buildings with Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), interconnected via ultra-low temperature networks (5GDHC), which is a popular future-proof local energy system in the Netherlands with significant upscaling potential worldwide. Both projects run simultaneously, and have overlapping partners and complementary activities including pilot implementations. Hence the 2 PhD positions currently advertised will collaborate strongly with each other as well as with the associated consortia.

As a PhD candidate at TU Delft, you will contribute to the operational modelling of energy systems with a focus on using available thermal storages and heat pumps to deliver energy services and align heating and cooling demands as much as possible with available local electricity supply. The PhD candidate will investigate tractable optimization methods and evaluate key performance indicators, modelling assumptions and uncertainties, such that the commercial consortium partners can apply your latest insights at the pilot sites.

The 2 PhD positions in this vacancy are distinguished as follows:

1. Distributed, data-driven, adaptive control.
2. Robust control of energy services with thermal storage, integrated (centralised) optimization, uncertainty quantification.

You will be hosted by the Heating Cooling Infrastructure group in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at TU Delft and work closely with the Delft Centre for Systems and Control. As part of our continuously growing enthusiastic interfaculty team on renewable heating & cooling systems, you will have the opportunity to work closely with leading researchers and industry partners across the Netherlands and Europe. Here, you will receive all the support and coaching you need to develop your academic career.

Job requirements

• A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Control Systems, or a related degree with a substantial focus on modelling/quantifying of fluid flow, mechanics/dynamics and/or control.
• Experience with modelling and engineering of thermal (energy) systems is an advantage.
• Experience with model validation, using/analysing monitoring data and/or integrating models, such as different component models in conjunction would be preferred.
• You are a creative and curious researcher who can plan, execute, deliver and communicate your research.
• You are a team player who thrives working with people in different organisations with different skill sets.
• Since you will be working in an international environment, you have a good command of English language and excellent academic writing skills. Command of Dutch language is not required but would be an additional advantage as Dutch companies/partners are involved in the research and background material is in Dutch.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact dr. Dhruv Mehta,e-mail: D.Mehta@tudelft.nl or Mohammad Khosravi, e-mail: Mohammad.Khosravi@tudelft.nl.   

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 26 February 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter (please note: a motivation/cover letter is NOT a summary of your CV).

You can address your application to dr. Dhruv Mehta or Mohammad Khosravi.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

32 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5