KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is the largest and oldest technical university in Sweden. No less than one-third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering education capacity at university level is provided by KTH. Education and research spans from natural sciences to all branches of engineering and includes Architecture, Industrial Management and Urban Planning. There are a total of 13,400 first and second level students and almost 1,900 doctoral students. KTH has 4,900 employees.

Activities at School Industrial Engineering and Management cover the engineering, technological and economic knowledge necessary to be able to develop new products, material and production processes in a sustainable fashion as concerns technical management, financial profitability and the environment. One precondition for innovation and enterprise is the study and application of basic physical and chemical phenomena as well as the integration of new, often multidisciplinary technologies, methods and tools. Core knowledge areas include energy technology, industrial design and innovation, product and production development, materials development, micro and nano technology as well as industrial economics, organisation and management.


Description of the position

Sustainable energy solutions encompass the establishment of policy, institutional and market structures to foster the adoption of new technological alternatives and paths. Energy solutions need to operate realistically and efficiently in the context of dynamic energy markets, stringent environmental and social requirements, and limited resource availability. What solutions can be pursued globally and regionally, which will lead to sustainable development? What are the solutions that will lead to mitigation and adaptation to climate change while also promoting sustainable development? These are central research questions at ECS, one of the four research units at the Department of Energy Technology at KTH. More information about the ECS division can be found atEnergy and Climate Studies .

The field of research at ECS covers energy and climate studies with a systems approach at global and regional level, and in different country contexts. Policy and market studies, as well as methodological development and modelling of energy systems in global and regional perspectives are relevant research projects. At present, we conduct research in five thematic areas, Bioenergy Systems, Energy Access, Energy Systems Efficiency, Urban Sustainability, Energy and Climate Policy. This PhD position is part of the bioenergy systems program and linked to a new cooperation program for development of bioenergy strategies in Indonesia.

Bioenergy represents 80 percent of the total amount of renewables used in the world or 10.4 percent of the total energy supply. But despite the potential to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development, the future of biomass in sustainable energy systems is not given. Still many countries are keen on exploring road maps to use their biomass potential in a sustainable way.

The research linked to this position investigates the deployment of sustainable bioenergy in Indonesia. The project will be implemented under the umbrella of INSIST, a joint energy program developed between Sweden and Indonesia. The project scrutinizes the local biomass availability or resource assessment, explores technological options for biomass conversion, and end-use options for bioenergy and other products. The analysis also considers policies, managerial practices, and markets.

The PhD candidate will contribute to ECS activities in Indonesia with focus on bioenergy development strategies in the country. S/he will be part of ECS international team and interact with other researchers working in the topic.


Condition of contract

Form of the employment: Temporary employment
Working time: Full time
Starting date: By agreement
Number of positions: 1


Qualifications

To be eligible for the PhD position at ECS, the candidate should have an engineering master’s degree in one of the following areas: mechanical engineering, energy engineering, engineering physics, or related areas. Areas of knowledge and experience that are particularly valuable for this position are bioenergy technologies and systems, energy systems analysis, sustainability assessment, and scientific research methods. Applicants with experience in systems assessment tools such as LCA (especially energy and GHG balances of biofuels) and optimization models will be prioritized. Good communication skills and ability to work in a team are important qualifications. Very good English ability is required.

The candidate is expected to contribute to on-going projects at the division, share research results in seminars, publish in peer-review journals, and help in administrative tasks at the division.


Contact

Semida Silveira, head of division in Energy and Climate Studies
Phone: +46 8 790 74 69
E-mail:semida.silveira@energy.kth.se

Helena Gode Sivgren, HR Administrator
Phone: +46 8 790 76 53
E-mail:helenags@kth.se


Trade union representatives

Lars Abrahamsson, SACO
Phone: +46 8 790 70 58
E-mail:lars.abrahamsson@ee.kth.se


Application

Application deadline:  12th of May 2014
Reference number: M-2014-0395

Application should be sent to :registrator@itm.kth.se

The application should include the following information/documents:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal letter
  • A brief description of why the applicant wants to engage in scientific research

Please quote the reference number M-2014-0395 in the email subject.

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