PhD Research Fellow within Renewable Energy Flexibility
Arbeidsplassen
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) invites applications for a PhD Research Fellow in Renewable Energy Flexibility at the Kongsberg campus. The fixed three-year position focuses on developing optimal designs and operational strategies for hybrid energy systems with solar, hydrogen, storage, and microgrid distribution.
You will engage in rigorous modelling, optimisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Energy Engineering or closely related field.
- Excellent written and oral English; Scandinavian language is a plus.
- Meet admission requirements to USN doctoral programmes within three months.
Responsibilities
- Complete the doctoral programme within the employment period.
- Conduct high‑calibre research as described in the project.
- Publish scholarly articles and participate in ESAM activities.
- Participate in national/international conferences and research dissemination.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
University of South-Eastern Norway
Stillingstittel PhD Research Fellow in Renewable Energy Flexibility
We are looking for a PhD research fellow within Renewable Energy Flexibility.
Are you interested in Energy Technology Management, and want to engage in research with skilled colleagues who share your interests? 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.
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).
The PhD project description and work plan will be prepared in consultation with the supervisor(s) during the first three months of the employment period. It is a prerequisite that you complete the project during the employment period.
- 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
All items are requirements, unless it is specified that they are preferred qualifications.
- Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) 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 language is 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
- 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.
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 able to complete the doctoral programme within the employment period
- Formal qualifications
- The scientific quality, research relevance and degree of innovation of the project
- The relevance of the project to the profile of the doctoral programme
- The personal qualities mentioned above
This position requires good English language skills. International applicants must document this with a valid certificate from one of the following tests. Specific requirements regarding grades can be found on our webpage English requirement for programmes and subjects taught in English at USN.
- TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT)
- IELTS – International English Language Testing Service
- Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
- PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic
The following applicants are exempt from the requirements listed above:
- Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or USA
- Applicants who have completed a master’s degree with English as the language of instruction in an EU or EEA country
- Applicants who are exempt based on the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir)’s GSU list
Applicants from Norway can confirm their English language skills by submitting their upper secondary school diploma.
Applicants must submit a preliminary research proposal with the application. The project description for the research project should be short and concise, maximum 2–4 pages (600-1200 words).
- Introduction (the title, main problem and research questions and the background to the project)
- State of the art (the project’s research field)
- Theory
- Methodology
- Work plan
- Results and hypotheses
- Bibliography
Applications with a project description exceeding 1200 words will not be processed.
The final project description and work plan will be prepared in consultation with the supervisor(s) during the first three months of the employment period. It is a prerequisite that you complete the project during the employment period.
The position may involve access to and handling of unclassified, sensitive information. The person appointed must demonstrate a high level of integrity, loyalty, and security awareness, and comply with applicable regulations and internal security procedures.
- Organised research training in a large undertaking with an important social mission
- Careers advice and guidance throughout the entire doctoral programme. Together we will draw up a career plan that includes the skills and knowledge you will acquire
- An inclusive working environment with ambitious colleagues
- The opportunity to take Norwegian language course
- Salary in accordance with the Norwegian State salary scale for PhD research fellows (position code 1017) NOK 550,800. In special cases, code 1378 may be used. Any further increases in pay grade will be based on length of service in the position
- Deductions will be made from your salary in order to make statutory contributions to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund on your behalf
- Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, ensuring favourable pension, insurance and loan schemes
We believe that diversity is a resource in our work and learning environment. Different experiences and backgrounds contribute to different perspectives and better solutions to challenges that need to be solved.
We are committed to respecting each other\'s differences and will facilitate employees with disabilities. We take into account your needs and your situation in different phases of life.
If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV or an immigrant background, we will call at least one applicant in each of these groups for an interview. If you recognize yourself in one of these categories, you can tick the box in our job search portal.
The Appointment Committee for Fellowship Positions (TUS) is the appointing authority for this position. Your competence for the position will be assessed by an expert committee. The expert committee will assess your competence for the position based on the documentation you have registered in Jobbnorge.
Based on the expert committee’s assessment, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview and to hold a trial lecture. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates.
Employment at USN is carried out in accordance with the principles set out in the Norwegian Civil Service Act, and the legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it will be rejected without further consideration.
The University’s Guidelines for recruitment positions provide a more detailed description of the criteria for appointment as a PhD research fellow.
As an employee of USN, you must at all times adapt to changes in the field and all organisational changes that are adopted.
For more information about the position, please contact: Head of Department, Aida Omerovic, aida.omerovic@usn.no , +4735952653
Professor Amir Safari, amir.safari@usn.no , (+47) 90361081
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact: Advisor Tonje Holt Vøllestad, tonje.h.vollestad@usn.no
We encourage qualified applicants to apply via the page. The application must include the documents listed in the section "How to apply" on the page.
The University of Southeastern Norway (USN) ranks as the country\'s fourth largest higher education institution. We are a vibrant community of approximately 18,000 students and 1,900 employees.
About the Faculty and Department: Institutt for realfag og industrisystemer - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
Video: https://vimeo.com/898549899/60305e2540
At USN you’ll contribute to a mission that matters. The University of Southeastern Norway was established in 2018, following the merger of several smaller university colleges, some with historical roots dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. We are committed to collaborative problem-solving, aiming to provide solutions that benefit our communities – locally as well as globally. Our diverse campuses are located from the beautiful fjords to the snow-covered mountains. USN spans three Norwegian counties, with campuses in Bø, Drammen, Horten, Kongsberg, Notodden, Porsgrunn, Ringerike, and Rauland. Where you’re located, you will engage in meaningful work amidst a thriving student culture and innovative research environments. Our university offers a wide range of high-quality and internationally recognized academic programs. With a strong emphasis on profession-oriented and socially relevant education, we prepare our students for the workforce and equip them with the necessary skills to make a positive impact on society. At USN, we deeply value and cultivate our relationships with local communities. Our staff and students are actively engaged in a variety of projects that address societal challenges, driving change and innovation. We place a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, and we strive to shape future leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
Read more about working for us: Work for us - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
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