Postdoc/Scientist position on enhancing resilience of defence infrastructure with a focus on energy supply

Dübendorf, Switzerland

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

Our Urban Energy Systems Laboratory (UESL) develops strategies and methods to support the creation of decarbonized, resilient, and equitable energy systems.

Empa collaborates with the Federal Office for Defence Procurement, armasuisse, to assess and optimize the energy supply security for a defence relevant site in Switzerland. A particular focus lies on the fuel supply for aviation.

Your tasks

• Build a sector coupled energy system model in collaboration with armasuisse and the site representatives
• Integrating fuel synthesis technologies and supply chains into the energy system model
• Assess the energy system towards different metrics and optimization objectives such as cost, CO2 emissions, self-sufficiency and autonomy
• Coordinate the developments with the project manager
• Present the results internally and externally

Your profile

We seek a highly motivated and dedicated scientist or experienced professional with a PhD in mechanical or chemical engineering, or an equivalent qualification in a related field. The ideal candidate possess profound interdisciplinary knowledge of the ongoing energy transition, with specific expertise in optimization methods and energy system modeling.

Key qualifications include:

• Experience in energy system modeling and optimization
• Familiarity with optimization methods, such as Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP)
• A strong track record of relevant publications
• Excellent English skills, along with proficiency in at least one Swiss national language (German, French, Italian, or Romansh).

Ideally, the candidate also:

• Has worked in or with the defence sector
• Has programming experience in Python and Pyomo

Due to the position’s close collaboration with the Swiss defence industry and the armed forces, preference will be given to applicants who are currently based in Switzerland and/or who hold Swiss, EU, or EFTA citizenship.

Our offer

• A stimulating, and interdisciplinary research environment with excellent infrastructure and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• An exiting project tackling critical questions of the energy transition in a changing geo-political context
• The possibility to start immediately

We foster a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.