PhD Candidate in Energy Security

Högskolan i Gävle · plný úvazek

Kungsbäcksvägen 47, Gävle, Švédsko

About the Workplace University of Gävle is one of Sweden's most popular universities. We offer around 60 degree programs and 330 independent courses within humanities, health and medicine, social and natural sciences, and engineering. We have 19,000 students, 750 employees, and an integrated campus in beautiful surroundings. The university has four strategic research areas focusing on societal challenges: Sustainable Urban Development, Health-Promoting Work, Innovative Learning, and Intelligent Industry. Since 2023, the University of Gävle is part of the European University EU GREEN, which works to strengthen the quality of higher education in the EU and increase exchanges for both students and staff. Job Responsibilities The Department of Building Technology, Energy Systems and Environmental Science at University of Gävle is seeking a PhD candidate to conduct research on natural circulation in district heating-supplied buildings in case of crisis or war. The PhD project is financed by the Swedish Energy Agency within their TERMO program and the call for Supply Security in Heat and Cooling. This project focuses on urban heat supply in case of power outages when opportunities exist for local electricity and heat supply through so-called island operation. If production and distribution in district heating systems can be supplied with backup power, natural circulation in radiator systems can potentially be utilized for heat emission in buildings. This would enable basic heat supply that protects building functions and people's health. This project will be conducted in parallel with and partly in collaboration with the national competence center RESILIENT. The competence center conducts resilience research linked to energy systems at several Swedish universities and together with industry. More information about the competence center RESILIENT can be found here: https://sites.mdu.se/resilient Project Description Society's capacity for preparedness needs to be strengthened to maintain important societal functions during, for example, major power outages. One possibility is so-called island operation, where local electricity grids are supplied with local electricity production independent of the overlying electricity grid. Electricity and heat are central parts of society's crisis preparedness, and district heating systems can play an important role in maintaining basic heating. The project examines the possibility of using natural circulation in building radiator systems to maintain some heat emission during power outages. The goal is to increase knowledge about how district heating, in combination with natural circulation and other backup solutions, can help reduce the risk of damage to people and buildings during extended power outages and low outdoor temperatures. The work includes measurements in existing buildings, experimental tests in a test rig, and simulations and calculations. Simulation tools are developed to study how natural circulation affects heat distribution and indoor temperature in different types of buildings. The project builds partly on previously conducted method tests and preparations and should result in at least four scientific publications. The PhD position includes: conducting the scientific project completing courses corresponding to at least 60 credits teaching and performing administrative work regularly participating in academic activities such as seminars and meetings Qualifications To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, § 35). General eligibility is held by those who have completed a degree at advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, or who in another way within or outside the country have acquired essentially equivalent knowledge. Specific eligibility to be admitted to doctoral studies within energy systems (the doctoral subject) is held by those who have completed a degree at advanced level within energy systems or another specialization that the employer deems equivalent. To succeed with your doctoral studies at University of Gävle, you need to be goal-oriented in your work. Furthermore, it is a requirement for the position that you have the ability to: independently drive your work forward, collaborate with others, maintain a professional approach, analyze and work with complex issues, discuss and explain research to people not working within your own field. Furthermore, it is a requirement that you have strong ability to express yourself both orally and in writing in English. Admission and Assessment Criteria To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must be assessed as having the ability to benefit from the education (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, § 35). Admission is based on individual assessment. Read more about doctoral-level education and our admission and assessment criteria at: www.hig.se/forskning/forskarutbildning. Terms Following admission to doctoral-level education, employment as a PhD candidate will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, § 3). The employment is a fixed-term full-time position (initially one year, which can subsequently be extended for a maximum of two years at a time). The total employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. An employed PhD candidate may, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within, for example, teaching and administration. Application As an applicant, you have primary responsibility for ensuring your application is complete when submitted. Contact Magnus Åberg Supervisor and Project Manager from HiG 026-64 81 81, 070-238 19 61 [email protected] Mathias Cehlin Department Head and Node Leader RESILIENT 072-299 53 52 [email protected] Other Information University of Gävle strives for a balanced gender distribution and actively works for equal conditions in all parts of the organization. Regarding this recruitment, University of Gävle has made decisions about recruitment channels and marketing. We therefore politely decline contact from media sales representatives and similar.