Research associate (m/f/d) in the research project 'SPLASH'

Duties:

The successful candidate will oversee the project's strategic direction and supervise four dedicated Master’s theses covering the following work packages but not limited to:

• Data Acquisition & Profiling: Developing energy baselines and load profiles for SH pools using publicly available databases, survey and interview.
• Willingness assessment: Conducting operator willingness surveys to determine the feasibility of PtH integration.
• Technical Assessment: Evaluating current heating demand, storage capacity and heating technologies.
• Geospatial modelling: For analysing the proximity of swimming pools to local wind/solar farms and existing grid constraints.
• Energy system modelling: To assess the viability to reduce RE curtailment through using swimming pools as energy storage. 
• Strategic Roadmap: Synthesizing findings to quantify environmental and economic benefits and creating a state-wide roadmap for implementation, focusing on industrial-scale heat pumps
• The candidate will also be responsible for documentation, reporting and scientific publications for the project collaborating with master students and research coordinators.

Your profile:

• Academic Background: Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems, Energy Engineering, or an interdisciplinary field combining engineering and social sciences.
• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of sector coupling (Power-to-Heat) and thermal storage systems.
• Analytical Skills: Experience in data mining, survey design, geospatial analysis (GIS) and energy system modelling and optimisation, preferably using Python and python libraries. 

Preferred:

• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for conducting interviews with pool operators and collaborating with SH grid operators.
• Language: Excellent command in English equitation to C1 and good command in German equivalent to B1.
• Reporting: The candidate must be able to collaborate with multiple research to prepare research articles in English and able to analyse survey and interview data in German.  
• Motivation: A deep commitment to solving regional energy challenges and advancing Schleswig-Holstein’s climate goals
• Pathway to qualification: an interest in transitioning to a PhD would be highly welcomed. 

Europa-Universität Flensburg seeks to promote employee diversity with respect to the trajectories and competencies of its staff. We explicitly welcome applications from persons with a migration background. Severely disabled applicants with adequate qualifications will be given preference. The university also strives to obtain a balanced gender ratio in all occupational groups.

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