PhD Position – Prospective Environmental and Economic Assessment of a Data Center for the Einstein Telescope

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Jülich; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Research & Infrastructure

Team & Environment

Networking & Exchange

Supervision & Support

Work-life balance

Annual leave 30 days

Knowledge & development

Health & well-being

Fair remuneration

Fixed-term 3 years

International staff support

Diversity & equal opportunities

Job summary

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH invites applications for a PhD position focused on prospective environmental and economic assessment of a data center for the Einstein Telescope. You will develop methods for pLCA and conduct techno-economic analyses of energy storage options, integrating batteries and hydrogen to support renewable energy use.

You will present results at conferences and publish in journals, contributing to the design of high-performance computing that meets environmental and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental, energy, industrial engineering, or a related field with good grades.
• Interest in energy-related, environmental, and economic issues.
• Analytical and systems-based thinking, and the ability to take initiative.
• Initial experience in the field of life cycle assessment.
• Basic knowledge of Python.
• Excellent German and English language skills (CEFR C1).
• Ability to collaborate within an international, interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Further development of methods for prospective life cycle assessment of data centers.
• Techno-economic evaluation of energy storage options for data centers and their integration.
• Presentation of scientific results at national and international conferences.
• Publication of results in renowned scientific journals.

Skills

Python

Analytical thinking

Initiative

Systems thinking

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in environmental/energy/industrial engineering or related field

Tools

Python

Job description

PhD Position – Prospective Environmental and Economic Assessment of a Data Center for the Einstein Telescope

At the Institute of Climate and Energy Systems – Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), we investigate how sustainable, climate-neutral energy systems can be designed. To this end, the Department of Circular Economy researches and develops innovative methods and tools for a holistic assessment of upcoming technologies and circular economy concepts. To map these systematically, methods for (prospective) Life Cycle Sustainability Assessments (LCSA) are continuously being refined. In addition to minimizing environmental impacts and waste streams while maximizing resource efficiency, we analyze societal impacts and economic implications.

Your Job

The Einstein Telescope (ET), as a next-generation gravitational wave detector, will provide deeper insights into the universe than ever before. A major scientific project of this scale requires an unprecedented computing and storage infrastructure. Processing these enormous amounts of data in a future data center, however, consumes significant resources. The fundamental challenge is: How do we build and operate a high-performance computing infrastructure for cutting-edge research that simultaneously meets the highest environmental and economic standards?

Using a prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) and a techno-economic analysis, you will evaluate the planned data center. The innovative technological concept for optimizing computing power integrates both batteries and the use of hydrogen to incorporate renewable energy sources.

• Further development of methods for prospective life cycle assessment of data centers
• Techno-economic evaluation of energy storage options for data centers and their integration into the overall system
• Presentation of scientific results at national and international conferences
• Publication of results in renowned scientific journals

Your Profile

• Master’s degree in environmental, energy, industrial engineering, or a related field, with good grades
• Interest in energy-related, environmental, and economic issues
• Analytical and systems-based thinking, and the ability to take initiative
• Initial experience in the field of life cycle assessment
• Basic knowledge of Python
• Excellent German and English language skills (at least C1 level according to CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level
• Ability and willingness to collaborate effectively within an international, interdisciplinary team

Our Benefits for You

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Research & Infrastructure: You will have access to excellent scientific and technical facilities for your work
• Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
• Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network, with the chance to participate in an exciting collaborative EU-funded research project with top-tier partners
• Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
• Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
• Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS)
• Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD-Bund. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 66 ff. of the PDF download)
• Fixed-term: The position is initially limited to 3 years
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits. Information on doctoral studies at Forschungszentrum Jülich, including its locations, can be found here: https://go.fzj.de/Promotion.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey

Place of Employment: Jülich

Start Date: To the next possible date

Salary: Pay group 13 (75%) TVöD-Bund

Application Deadline: The position will be published until it is successfully filled