Postdoctoral Researcher in Energy System Modelling focusing on the Energy-Carbon Nexus

Empa, Switzerland

Updated: 2 months ago

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 passion lies in materials science and technology, and at the

Urban Energy Systems Laboratory

, we develop strategies and methods to support the creation of decarbonized, resilient, and equitable energy systems. 


Empa leads the

SWEET ReFuel.ch project

, which focuses on developing robust transition paths toward supplying sustainable fuels and platform chemicals.


Your tasks
  • Integrating carbon cycles and CCUS technologies into a fully sector-coupled Swiss energy system model. 
  • Identifying robust transition paths for Switzerland’s energy system, focusing on the supply of sustainable fuels and platform chemicals under uncertainty. 
  • Extending the existing modeling and optimization framework to enable multi-criteria assessment. 
  • Engaging in regular exchanges with the project consortium to incorporate insights on technologies, international developments, and policy requirements into the Swiss energy system model at the appropriate level of abstraction.

Your profile

We seek a highly motivated and dedicated

postdoctoral researcher with a PhD in mechanical or chemical engineering or a related field

. The ideal candidate will possess profound interdisciplinary knowledge of the ongoing energy transition, with specific expertise in CCUS methods and technologies. 


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. 
  • Proficiency in English. 
Ideally, the candidate also has: 
  • Experience assessing uncertainty in energy systems. 
  • Programming experience in Python and Pyomo. 
  • Experience with software development and managing large datasets using tools like R or Python.

Our offer

We offer a stimulating, international, and interdisciplinary research environment with excellent infrastructure and opportunities for personal and professional development. Start date of the position from early 2025 onwards. The contract is initially for one year.

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.

PatriciaNitzsche, Stv. Leiterin Human Resources / Dep. Head Human Resources


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