PhD-Position – Ressourcen der Energiewende: Innovationen für eine sichere und nachhaltige Ressourcenversorgung

PhD Position – Resources of the Energy Transition: Innovations for secure and sustainable resource supply

The energy system transformation towards a carbon-neutral future relies on technologies such as batteries, wind turbines and hydrogen systems, which depend on a stable supply of critical raw materials. Various materials such as lithium, cobalt, rare earths and nickel can hinder the energy system transformation. Therefore, the supply of these materials is crucial. Likewise, their extraction and use raise major ecological, social and geopolitical issues. In the Resource Strategies department at ICE-2, we use global coupled models to model which materials have which influence on the energy system transformation.

Your Job:

In this context, this PhD thesis will investigate how the material supply for the energy transition can be made sustainable and resilient. In particular, it will look at primary material supply from resources and reserves, as well as the recovery of raw materials in the context of a circular economy. The focus is on the assessment of global mining capacities, the optimization of recycling processes, and the role of substitutions and innovative supply chain strategies. The ICE-2, with a global state-of-the-art energy system model and scientific background in potential analysis, provides the ideal basis for examining global resource requirements. The central research question of this work is: What influence do raw material supply and a circular economy have on global energy system transformation? The work is divided into the following work packages:

• Familiarization with global material flow modeling, raw material supply
• Analysis of global raw material flows with a focus on the mining, processing, distribution and recyclability of critical materials
• Research into the resources, reserves and extractability of specific critical materials, as well as novel methods such as the extraction of metals from mining sludge
• Evaluating the influence and implementation of recycling processes on material systems
• Modeling the influence on the transformation of energy systems

This doctoral thesis offers you the opportunity to actively participate in the development of solutions for securing industrial resources in a fossil-free future. You will work in a highly innovative and interdisciplinary research environment and make a direct contribution to the energy transition.

Your Profile:

• Very good grades in your master`s degree in the fields of geosciences, resource management, energy technology, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, physics, or comparable
• Basic knowledge in economic geology, resource management, energy system analysis or comparable
• Initial experience in optimization or statistics is an advantage
• Initial experience of an object-oriented programming language (e.g. Python, Matlab) and MS Office
• Analytical and structural thinking
• Interest in analyzing resource use, energy systems and future technologies
• Enjoyment of modeling
• Fluent in written and spoken English, knowledge of German an advantage

Our Offer:

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 offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• A highly motivated working group and an international and interdisciplinary working environment in one of the largest research institutions in Europe
• Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
• Opportunity to attend (international) conferences and project meetings
• Continuous mentoring from your scientific supervisor
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
• Flexible working time models i.e. Home Office
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• The opportunity to complete a doctoral thesis within 3 years through professional supervision and internal support services; time taken to submit the final thesis for the last 16 doctoral students at ICE-2: 2.7 - 3.4 years
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed .The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download. Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

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.

We look forward to receiving your application. The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible.