PhD Special Call: PhD Position in Floating Wind Turbines and Hydrogen Production

Aarhus BSS Graduate School, Aarhus University invites applicants for a PhD Scholarship in connection with the research project TETHYS: Twinning for Excellence in Floating Wind Turbine and Hydrogen Systems at the PhD Programme Business Development and Technology. The project is funded by the European Commission (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02). The PhD position comes with a three-year full-time employment and enrolment in the PhD program.
 
The position is available from 1 October 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The research project

Join TETHYS
TETHYS is a cutting-edge research initiative focused on the integration of offshore floating wind turbines and green hydrogen systems. TETHYS aims to advance scientific knowledge and innovation in renewable energy and green technologies, which is crucial for Europe’s Green Deal and Cyprus’ energy future.

TETHYS is a collaborative effort between the University of Cyprus (UCY), leading institutions from Italy (Università degli Studi di Firenze - UniFI) and Denmark (Aarhus Universitet - AU), and a pioneering Greek start-up (NEEST). The project seeks to strengthen UCY's R&I capacity in offshore floating wind (FOW) and green hydrogen (H2) systems, addressing the critical needs of the Cypriot and European energy sectors.

Research area and project description:

The Department of Business Development and Technology at Aarhus University (AU BTECH) is offering a PhD position in Floating Wind Turbines and Hydrogen Production, starting 31 October 2024 or earliest possible thereafter. The position is available for a 3-year period.

The PhD project at BTECH at Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, should provide a comprehensive analysis of the financial feasibility and socioeconomic impacts of FOW-H2 systems. By integrating advanced computational tools, experimental facilities, and industry expertise, this research will pave the way for sustainable and socially accepted renewable energy solutions.

The project aims to explore the financial feasibility of Floating Offshore Wind and Hydrogen (FOW-H2) systems, with a specific focus on the interplay between end-user demand, levelized cost of energy, and hydrogen. These factors are influenced by both market conditions and policy frameworks. AU’s focus will be on green hydrogen demand, energy island breakeven prices, and digital promotional solutions.

Research Objectives:

• End-user demand and policy impact: Analyze the demand for green hydrogen and its influence on the financial viability of FOW-H2 systems. Assess how policy-driven factors impact the levelized cost of energy and hydrogen.
• The main objective is to contribute to groundbreaking research in green hydrogen demand and digital energy solutions and pioneer the future of sustainable energy systems through innovative computational modelling and socioeconomic analysis.
• The PhD project is to be carried out as part of the research project. The PhD student´s role in the research questions listed above will depend on the chosen candidate and his / her own PhD project description related to the topic of the overall project. Hence, you must write a project description on how you would carry out the research within the frames of the overall project and how you propose to address the research questions.

Impact and Outcomes:

This research should contribute significantly to understanding the financial and socioeconomic feasibility of FOW-H2 systems. The project outcomes should include:

• Enhanced knowledge of green hydrogen demand and energy pricing mechanisms.
• Development of practical guidelines and strategies for effective decision-making in renewable energy governance.
• Promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship within the green energy sector.
• Strengthened links between academia, industry, and the local community to foster new business opportunities and energy citizenship initiatives.

Qualifications and specific competences:

We are searching for a highly motivated candidate who has a Master of Science (MSc) in Technology-Based Business Development or related areas.

Highly desired skills:

• Financial analysis: Proficiency in evaluating financial feasibility and modeling economic scenarios. Experience with cost-benefit analysis, particularly in the energy sector.
• Energy systems knowledge: Understanding of renewable energy systems, specifically Floating Offshore Wind and Hydrogen (FOW-H2).
• Familiarity with the levelized cost of energy and hydrogen production.
• Data analysis and computational skills: Expertise in handling large datasets and utilizing computational tools for energy modeling.
• Experience with High-Performance Computing (HPC) and advanced simulation techniques.

During the project you will complete a PhD education as described in the rules and regulations for the PhD programme

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact George Xydis, Email: gxydis@btech.au.dk
 
If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR supporter Anna Bruun Pedersen, Tel.: +45 8715 23 97, Email: anpe@au.dk 

Place of work

Birk Center Park 15, 7400 Herning

Formal requirements

You can read more about how to apply in the application guide and find the rules and regulations of the PhD education here.

The following criteria are decisive in the assessment of the candidates:

• the applicant’s academic qualifications (assessed on the basis of the qualifying degree)
• the quality and relevance of the project proposal
• the applicant’s level of academic aptitude and assessed ability to complete the project within the framework of the PhD programme

You can read more about the assessment procedure and committees appointed by the dean here.

Applicants are very much encouraged to supply documentation as to how they rank compared to their class (both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees). This may for example be in the form of a letter from your University stating either how you rank as an individual student compared to other students the year you graduated ("ranks as no. 6 out of 111" or "ranks as among the best 8 percent") or if that is not possible, general information from your University as to how grades were distributed in the year of your graduation, will be appreciated.

Please note that Aarhus BSS Graduate School reserves the right to evaluate the applications on the basis of the documentation received before deadline, and you will not necessarily be asked for further documentation. Furthermore, Aarhus BSS Graduate School reserves the right to reject application that do not comply with the limitations as stated in the application guide (see link above).

Terms of enrolment

PhD students at Aarhus BSS Graduate School are always enrolled. The enrolment happens in accordance with the Ministerial PhD Order no. 1039 of August 27, 2013 and the terms stated in the Rules and Regulations for the PhD programmes at Aarhus BSS Graduate School. Both can be found here.
If relevant: If you are enrolled in part A of the 4- or 5-year schemes you will receive a SU PhD Scholarship according to the rules set out in the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme (SU, in Danish). In addition, you will be offered to undertake paid work of up to 280 hours during your part A enrolment period.

Terms of employment

If you are offered employment at Aarhus University in connection with enrolment in the 3-year scheme, the appointment is made in accordance with the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities as well as the circular on the Collective Agreement for Academics Employed by the State (in Danish). The job content and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

You can read more about the 3-, 4- and 5-year scheme here.