PhD student – Digital twin for energy management of power-to-X systems (m/f/d)

Research for a society in change: This is our drive at the Forschungszentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, we face the great social challenges of our time and explore interdisciplinary the digitized society, a climate-saving energy system and sustainable economy. Work together with nearly 7,600 colleagues in one of the largest research centres in Europe and shape the change with us! In the Institute of Energy Technologies – Basics of Electrochemistry (IET-1) we are researching highly topical topics about the energy transition and structural change. For example, we focus on the battery of the future and explore new battery concepts. How to make the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) from the climate killer a raw material of the future is another exciting project we are dealing with. The aim of the research and development work is cost-effective batteries, fuel cells and electrolyzers with improved energy and power density, longer service life and maximum safety! Hydrogen production based on renewable energy sources is of increasing importance by means of AEM and PEM electrolysis. Find out more about our mission and future-oriented projects: https://www.fz-juelich.de/de/iet/iet-1 Strengthen this range at the next time as PhD:in – Digital Twin for Power-to-X Power Management (w/m/d)

actively shape the energy transition! As part of your doctorate, you develop digital twins and advanced diagnostic methods for power-to-X systems – from high-temperature electrolysis (SOEC) to fuel cell technology (SOFC). The aim is to integrate these key technologies into industrial applications and to develop innovative methods for monitoring, diagnosis and operational optimization. The focus is on reversible SOC systems, biogas valorization and synthesis gas generation by means of co-electrolysis. With your research, you contribute directly to the implementation of national and European climate targets. Your tasks in detail:

Development of a digital twin of a rSOC system at system level for simulation, analysis and optimization of different operating modes

Systematic simulation of realistic operating modes based on dynamic load profiles (market, system and network operation)

Development of an energy management system (EMS) for reversible operation (rSOC) and validation on the demonstrator under dynamic load profiles focusing on low-age operation

Development and construction of a SOC stack mulator to test plant hardware and management software before stack installation

Examination of normal and incident scenarios in HiL operation without risk of stack damage and derivation of robust operating and protection strategies

Structure of models/methods for real-time state estimation and prediction of internal system states (e.g. degradation, state-of-health, operating limits)

Presentation of research results at national and international specialist conferences and publication in renowned journals

Very well completed master's degree in electrical engineering, energy engineering, computer science, physics, mechanical engineering, mechatronics or related fields

Know-how in thermodynamics, heat and material transfer, fluid mechanics and process/plant technology

Experiences in modelling/simulation of dynamic systems (e.g. Matlab/Simulink, Modelica, Python)

Ideally prior knowledge of solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) and/or solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) as well as basic knowledge of electrochemistry

Self-employed, structured working, strong team and communication skills

Very good knowledge of German and English in word and writing

We work on highly topical socially relevant topics and offer you the opportunity to actively shape change! We support you in your work:

TEAM & UMFELD: You work in a motivated team with international and interdisciplinary orientation – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe

RESEARCH & INFRASTRUCTURE: An excellent scientific and technical equipment is available for your work

WORK-LIFE-BALANCE: With us you have the possibility of flexible working time design that supports the reconciliation of work and private life. In addition, there is the possibility of (local)flexible work, which is given in principle after consultation and in accordance with the pending tasks and (local) appointments.

URLAUB: You will get 30 days on holiday with us

WISSEN & WEITER EDUCATION: Your further development is important to us – we promote you in a targeted and individual way, e.g. through training and networking offers specifically for doctoral researchers (JuDocS): https://go.fzj.de/JuDocs_de

HEALTH & WOHLBEFINDEN: Your health is our heart. It offers extensive occupational health management with a variety of offers – e.g. through beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga courses and much more. In addition, our medical service as well as an experienced team of social counselling are on site

DIRECTIVE: Compensation is carried out analogously to the remuneration group 13 (75%) of the public service collective agreement (TVöD-Bund) plus 60 % of a monthly salary as a special payment (“Christmas money”). Please refer to the BMI page for monthly fees in euro: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.lohn

BENEFIT: The position is limited to 3 years

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial team, we offer you a lot more: https://go.fzj.de/Benefits

We are pleased to receive applications from people with diverse backgrounds, such as age, gender, disability, sexual orientation/identity as well as social, ethnic and religious origin. A competitive, diverse and inclusive working environment in which all their potentials can be realized is important to us.

For further information on diversity and opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/diversitaet and targeted promotion of women: https://go.fzj.de/job-journey-women