PhD-Position - Design and Operation of Local Energy Communities

Your Job

The concept of Local Energy Communities (LECs) — where people, businesses, and local infrastructure share and manage energy collectively — is reshaping how energy is produced and consumed. Recognized by the EU as a cornerstone of the Clean Energy Transition, LECs empower local actors to participate actively in energy markets, support renewables, and enhance system flexibility.

In this PhD project, you will help design, simulate, and optimize these next‑generation communities — making clean, local, and intelligent energy systems a practical reality.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply simulation and optimization models to analyze energy flows, operational strategies, and design decisions in a multi‑energy system (power, gas, heat).
• Investigate different community configurations (residential, commercial, mixed‑use) and their interactions with distribution grids.
• Assess how renewable integration, storage technologies, and demand flexibility affect system performance.
• Evaluate economic and environmental indicators such as cost, emissions, self‑sufficiency, and flexibility under various policy scenarios.
• Analyze interactions with regional grids (heat) within local energy communities and interfaces to higher‑level grids (electricity) for stable operation and effective market participation.
• Support case studies with municipal and regional partners to bridge research and real‑world application.
• Disseminate findings through scientific publications, conferences, and collaborations.
• Supervise bachelor’s and master’s students.

Profile

• Excellent master’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Strong mathematical skills.
• Experience in modelling energy systems.
• Very good knowledge and experience in programming (Python, Matlab, C, C++).
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Strong analytical and independent working style.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.

You are independent, motivated, and passionate about shaping the energy transition—if this describes you, we encourage you to apply!

Offer

Join a diverse and supportive research group at one of Europe’s leading research centers, where you will work on cutting‑edge energy system models developing solutions for Europe’s energy system decarbonization. You will have access to world‑class infrastructure (including the Jülich Supercomputing Centre) and develop skills to advance your future career in academia or industry.

The position is for a fixed term of 3.5 years, where the first six months serve as orientation and probation period. Pay is in line with 13 (75%) of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD‑Bund) and includes 60 % of a monthly salary as a special payment (Christmas bonus).

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including variations in age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and social, ethnic, and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities is important to us. Further information on diversity and equal opportunities can be found at and on the targeted promotion of women at