PhD Research Fellow within Renewable Energy Flexibility

Amir Safari; Kongsberg; On-site; NOK 450,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

USN invites applications for a PhD research fellow in Renewable Energy Flexibility at the Department of Science and Industry Systems (IRI), TNM. The position is available from September 2026 with the latest starting date in January 2027, and is a fixed three-year doctoral training opportunity at the Kongsberg campus.

The doctoral project investigates adaptable, low‑carbon energy infrastructure by integrating solar PV, hydrogen production, storage, and microgrid‑driven distribution.

Qualifications

• Master's degree must be submitted for assessment by the application deadline.
• Excellent written and oral English; proficiency in a Scandinavian language is an advantage.
• Meet formal admission requirements to USN’s doctoral programmes within three months.
• Strong analytical capability and research potential.

Responsibilities

• Complete the doctoral programme within the employment period.
• Conduct high‑calibre research in energy systems and control.
• Publish scholarly works and participate in ESAM activities.
• Attend national and international conferences and present findings.
• Adapt tasks as required during the project.

Skills

English proficiency

Analytical skills

Interdisciplinary work

Motivation for research

Education

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, or related field

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Modelica

COMSOL Multiphysics

Python

GAMS

HOMER

Job description

Do you want to contribute to the development of knowledge, insight and solutions that are relevant to society and working life today and in the future?

We are looking for a PhD research fellow within Renewable Energy Flexibility.

About the position

Are you interested in Energy Technology Management, and want to engage in research with skilled colleagues who share your interests? Maybe you can become our new colleague at the Department of Science and Industry Systems (IRI) at the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences, and Maritime Sciences (TNM). The position is available from September 2026 with the latest starting date on January 2027.

This is an educational position that is primarily intended to give promising researchers the opportunity to develop academically and professionally through organised research training.

It is a condition that the person who accepts the position applies for and is granted admission to the Faculty’s PhD-program in Technology within three months of starting in the position.

The doctoral programme includes relevant courses corresponding to approximately six months of study, a thesis based on independent research, active participation in national and international research environments, relevant research dissemination, a trial lecture and public defence of the thesis. Read more about organised research training at USN on our website.

The PhD research fellowship is for a fixed term of three years with pure organised research training.

Your personnel manager will be Head of Department, Dr. Aida Omerovic and your supervisor will be Prof. Amir Safari. It is a prerequisite that you live close by so that you can be present at, and available to, the academic environment at your workplace during ordinary working hours. The place of work will be at campus Kongsberg.

About the doctoral project

The PhD project confronts the global imperative for adaptable, low‑carbon energy infrastructure by investigating a hybrid system that synergistically integrates different renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic generation, hydrogen production, and storage alternatives with microgrid-driven power distribution. Through advanced modelling and optimization techniques, this research aims to identify optimum design and operational strategies that enhance system flexibility, improve resilience to variable supply and demand, and minimize environmental impact. By drawing on interdisciplinary expertise (spanning renewable energy engineering, power systems and energy market integration, stochastic multi‑objective optimization, and data‑driven control methodologies) the project will establish a robust framework for coordinating electricity, heat, cooling, and hydrogen flows in distributed energy networks.

While the primary focus is on developing a scalable and economically viable energy management solution, potential case studies may include to illustrate real‑world applicability in a close collaboration with our international partner(s). In alignment with Energi21 as national strategic objectives for sustainable energy as well as international commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, this PhD project aims to advance cutting‑edge smart microgrid technologies by enhancing system flexibility and reliability, thereby making a significant contribution to the transition toward cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable energy infrastructures.

The person appointed will be affiliated with the research group Energy Systems and Advanced Materials (ESAM).

Duties:

• Complete the doctoral programme up to completion of the doctoral degree within the employment period
• Conduct high‑calibre research within the framework described above
• Scholarly publications
• Participate in the ESAM research group activities
• Participate in national and/or international activities such as conferences
• Be prepared for changes in your work tasks after appointment

Qualifications

All items are requirements,unless it is specified that they are preferred qualifications.

• Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) (or equivalent qualifications) within Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, or a closely related field
• Documented knowledge of relevant methodologies, both quantitative and/or qualitative, at master’s level
• Weighted average grade of B or higher on the master’s degree and thesis
• The master’s thesis must have been submitted for assessment by the application deadline for the position and approved before starting in the position
• Excellent written and oral English language skills. Proficiency in a Scandinavian languageis considered an advantage.
• Meet the formal requirements for admission to USN’s doctoral programmes and the faculty’s doctoral program in Technology no later than three months after starting in the position

Other qualification:

• Solid background in at least one of the following areas: renewable energy sources, power systems integration, energy technology management, or smart grids.
• Experience in development of mathematical meta-models, control strategies, optimization methods and algorithms, data analysis and machine learning techniques, techno‑economic study, design and analysis of integrated systems.
• Experience with energy system modeling/simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Modelica, and COMSOL Multiphysics), energy systems analysis/optimization/programming software (e.g., HOMER, GAMS, and Python).
• Evidence of previous scientific writing or academic publications (e.g., peer‑reviewed journals), industrial collaboration, knowledge transfer activities, or participation in international projects.
• Previous involvement in research proposal writing‑up, innovation projects, or startup initiatives.
• Interest in energy informatics and the role of digital technologies and ICT (e.g., blockchain, IoT, data analytics) in future energy systems.
• Willingness to contribute to academic dissemination (e.g., publications, conferences) and collaborative project tasks, internationally.
• Strong motivation for interdisciplinary and applied research in the energy transition, with the ability to work across disciplinary boundaries (including engineering, management, economics, and policy).
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.

Personal qualities:

In order to be able to complete a doctoral degree, you need to be able to:

• demonstrate motivation and potential for research in the field
• work independently, but also participate in teamwork
• work in a structured way, set goals, and make plans to achieve them
• present and discuss your research with other academics
• get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject area
• analyse data, assess different perspectives, and draw well‑founded conclusions
• be flexible and open to adjusting the project plan as necessary
• have the academic skills and personal qualities to be