Job description
Applications are invited for a 3-4 year PhD Research Fellowship as PhD Candidate in “Renewable Energy Systems Modelling” to be based at the Department of Technology Systems (ITS), University of Oslo. The successful candidate will be part of the Energy Systems Section at ITS and supervised by Associate Professor Marianne Zeyringer.

The fellowship period is either for 3 years devoted to research education or 4 years with a compulsory work load of 25% that consists of teaching and supervision duties and research assistance. The starting date can be no later than 01.01.2020.

This PhD will explore Norway’s role in an integrated, weather- resilient and highly renewable European energy system in 2050. To do so, the PhD candidate will use and develop energy system models using mathematical programming tools such as GAMS. Such models require large amounts of data which will be processed and analysed in R and/or Python (e.g. meteorological data to drive renewable generation). The student will be encouraged to present findings at academic conferences and publish in scientific journals. The specific focus of the PhD will be agreed on with the supervisors depending on the experience and research interest of the PhD candidate.
 
More about the position
The large scale deployment of variable renewable energy technologies (VREs) in combination with an increase in electrification represents a cost-effective option for decarbonising the European energy system. However, renewable energy systems are characterized by the spatial and temporal variability of supply. Norway has some of the best wind resources of Europe.

An expansion of Norwegian wind could by synergistic with wind elsewhere in Europe by taking advantange of the weather often being different in a different place at a given time. Thus, an expansion of Norwegian wind energy could allow for spatial diversification with wind generation in the rest of Europe and technological diversification with PV in southern Europe.

Further, due to its hydro reservoir capacity Norway is often referred to as a potential green battery for Europe allowing to balance VRE variability. Additionally, Norway is a pioneer in electric vehicle adoption. Thus, Norway’s energy-related decisions can have a significant impact on the rest of the European energy system. 

This PhD will explore Norway’s role in a highly renewable European energy system in 2050: Thereby, it may provide answers to some of the following research questions: How do the benefits from spatial and technological diversification of North-Sea wind energy compare with other VRE integration options? How do different storage technologies and their potential cost reductions up to 2050 compete with Norway’s hydro storage? What roles do electrification (e.g. transport) and interconnection with countries having ambitious plans for offshore wind energy play in the energy transition? Ultimately, this PhD will use and develop energy system models for the design of an integrated, weather-resilient and highly renewable 2050 European power system.

Qualification requirements
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for this fellowship will be selected in accordance with this, and be expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Applicants must:

• Hold a quantitative Master’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Computer Science, Meteorology, Mathematics, Physics, Economics or equivalent
• Have fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 01.12.2019 to complete the final exam.

Grade requirements:     
The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html  

Personal suitability will be taken into consideration.

When assessing applications, emphasis will be placed on

• Interest, motivation and experience in Sustainable Energy Systems and model development
• Experience with GAMS or similar mathematical programming tools for quantitative modeling and programming skills in R and/or Python
• Experience with GIS applications
• Experience processing and analysing data
• Ability to write in a structured, clear and concise manner
• Experience and interest in interdisciplinary collaboration
• Creativeness and proactiveness

We offer

• Salary NOK 479 600 - 523 200 per year depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research Fellow, (position code 1017)
• An academically stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Opportunities for (international) collaboration

How to apply
The application must include:

• Cover letter with statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• Documentation of english proficiency
• A complete list of publications and academic works
• Sample document of academic writing: e.g. Master thesis, scientific paper as first author
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)
• Letters of recommendation (optional) 

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations
Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Contact information
For informal enquiries regarding the PhD position, please contact Associate Professor Marianne Zeyringer, phone: + 47-22842204, e-mail: marianne.zeyringer@its.uio.no 

For technical questions regarding the application system, please contact HR Adviser Therese Ringvold, phone: +47-22851606, e-mail: therese.ringvold@mn.uio.no
 
About the University of Oslo 
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society. 
 
The Department of Technology Systems (ITS) is a newly established department at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo. ITS has taken over the activities at UNIK from January 2017. The Institute is located in the Kjeller Research Park, which is one of the largest research and development centers in Norway. ITS collaborates with the research institutes at Kjeller, and with industry, while it is also tightly integrated with complementary activities at UiO in Oslo. The department has two sections: section for energy systems and section for autonomous systems and sensor technologies. An important goal of ITS is to provide wider opportunities at UiO within applied technologies. ITS is running the  new MSc in “Renewable Energy Systems”.