Your Job:

This PhD project focuses on modelling and simulating future gas grids, exploring transformation pathways, and developing cross-sectoral simulation frameworks to support informed decision-making.

Your tasks in detail:

• Investigate the impacts of future transformation pathways on the operational security and resilience of gas and hydrogen infrastructures, considering hydrogen blending, pipeline repurposing, and Power-to-Gas technologies
  
• Evaluate and compare system operational behaviours under diverse policy and market scenarios (e.g., hydrogen import strategies, regional demand developments) through scenario-based modelling
  
• Assess the interactions between gas, electricity, and heat sectors, focusing on operational flexibility, cross-sectoral dependencies, and potential bottlenecks
  
• Enhance and extend our simulation tools and models (GasNetSim) to meet evolving research requirements and support comprehensive system analyses
  
• Extend our simulation tool (GasNetSim) and grid models to fulfil research needs
  
• Disseminate your findings through scientific publications, conferences, and collaborations
  
• Supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students and represent the institute in national and international research contexts

Your Profile:

• Excellent Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, energy systems, computational engineering, or a related field
  
• Strong background in numerical methods and applied mathematics
  
• Proficient in programming (Python and C++)
  
• Fluent in written and spoken English; knowledge of German is an asset
  
• Strong analytical and independent working style
  
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
  

Our Offer:

Join a diverse and supportive research group at one of Europe’s leading research centers, where you will work on cutting-edge energy system models developing solutions for Europe energy system decarbonization. You will have access world-class infrastructure (including the Jülich Supercomputing Centre), and develop skills to advance your future career in academia or industry.

We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• Pursue a PhD at RWTH Aachen University under the supervision of Prof. Benigni
  
• Access cutting-edge infrastructure, including the Jülich Supercomputing Centre
  
• Participate in projects, meetings, and international conferences
  
• 30 days of annual leave and flexible working arrangements, including partial remote work
  
• Strong support and mentoring for building a career in academia or industry
  
• Professional development through JuDocS, including training courses, networking, and structured continuing education ( https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs )
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

The position is for a fixed term of 3,5 years, where the first 6 months serve as orientation and probation period. Pay is in line with 13 (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"). The monthly salaries in euro can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich (including its various branch offices) is available at https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/phd

In addition to exciting tasks and the collaborative working atmosphere at Forschungszentrum Jülich, we have a lot more to offer ( https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/julich-as-an-employer/benefits ).

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.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and and on the targeted promotion of women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey