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

Europa-Universität Flensburg has an immediate job opening for the following position: Research associate (m/f/d) in the research project “SPLASH”. The position is temporary until September 30, 2027 and the project runs for one year starting from October 2026.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the project's strategic direction and supervise four master’s theses covering the following work packages:
  • Data Acquisition & Profiling: Developing energy baselines and load profiles for Schleswig‑Holstein pools using publicly available databases, surveys, and interviews.
  • 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: Analyzing the proximity of swimming pools to local wind/solar farms and existing grid constraints.
  • Energy system modelling: Assessing the viability to reduce renewable‑energy 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.
• Responsible for documentation, reporting, and scientific publications for the project in collaboration with master students and research coordinators.

Qualifications

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

Preferred qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal skills for conducting interviews with pool operators and collaborating with Schleswig‑Holstein grid operators.
• Excellent command of English (equivalent to C1) and good command of German (equivalent to B1).
• Ability to collaborate with multiple research teams to prepare research articles in English and to analyse survey and interview data in German.
• Deep commitment to solving regional energy challenges and advancing Schleswig‑Holstein’s climate goals.
• Interest in transitioning to a PhD would be highly welcomed.

Benefits

• An appreciative and collegial working environment.
• Secure salary based on collective agreement.
• Flexible working hours, including mobile work option.
• Company pension plan.
• Options to balance work/family life.
• Professional training opportunities.
• Free language courses at EUF.
• Reduced rates at the university sports center.
• Reduced fares for local public transport (Job Ticket).

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.

EUF expressly renounces the use of CV photographs and kindly asks applicants to refrain from providing one.