Research project description

The unfolding energy transition is currently being hampered by emerging problems with capacity shortages in the infrastructures for electric power. Lack of systems integration and, especially, the absence of mechanisms to use decentral energy flexibility for active network management leads to acute stagnation of electrification of energy demand and greening of energy supply. Longer-term transition-oriented research is needed to complement the sector's current focus on short-term problem-oriented solutions. Simulation tooling that provides a rigorous understanding of the (local) electricity networks and the wider electricity system, including prosumers and their energy flexibility, is needed to develop energy coordination mechanisms in and between Urban Positive Energy Districts (UPEDs).

The Positive Energy District Digital Twinning (PEDi-Twins) project is performed by a PostDoc researcher and a Research Software Engineer that will (1) investigate and develop energy coordination mechanisms within and between Urban Positive Energy Districts, (2) develop a model suite for UPED digital twinning, making reuse of (existing and future) models of different research groups easier, and (3) work with key stakeholders on relevant application/validation cases, possibly based on direct knowledge questions from stakeholders, to ensure energy transition impact.

Job description

As a Research Software Engineer, you combine professional software expertise with an understanding of energy systems research. You play a key role in the development of high-quality research tools incorporating cutting-edge algorithms developed in ongoing research projects. By designing for reusability, you ensure that these software tools can serve as an important basis for future research projects. In running research projects related to (local) energy systems modelling and simulation, you bring in your expertise of software development methodologies, coding, data handling & storage, etc., bridging research questions and modern ICT Solutions.

In your role as Research Software Engineer, you will be actively supporting PhD and PostDoc researchers and university staff from all over the world. You will help them with the implementation of state-of-the-art mechanisms for decentralized optimization of local energy systems, often extending third-party open-source software. You will maintain and expand the core simulation platform and model suite for UPED digital twinning. Your contribution will be of great value. In this job, an enthusiastic team and learn-on-the-job mentality applied in a diverse international setting is welcomed very much.

Your work will built forth on TU/e strengths in modelling and coordination of (local) energy systems. You will be embedded in and contribute to the Intelligent Energy Systems (IES) research program of the Electrical Energy Systems (EES) group. TU/e EES has and develops systems integration simulation tools and models with a rigorous power systems focus. Within the IES program, the PEDi-Twins project will share software development activities with the GO-E project and the MegaMind program. You will cooperate with both the Control Systems Technology group and the Technology, Innovation & Society group, that have and develop system integration tools and models focusing on the integrated (future) multi-energy systems of cities, regions and provinces, including technical and social aspects. Here, related tools and models originate from the  projects NEON and HOLON, for instance. You contribute to the strategic goal to make reuse of (existing and future) models of different research groups easier.

We offer excellent development opportunities, e.g. through dedicated training and participation in workshops for research software engineers. Performing scientific research into software engineering aspects of energy systems simulation models tools and methods will be encouraged, if this aligns with your ambition.

This position and research project are made possible by the BEHeaT program initiated by the Eindhoven Institute for Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES). EIRES facilitates the collaborative development and swift deployment of new technologies and devices by bringing together TU/e researchers working on materials, systems, and processes for energy storage and conversion. 
EIRES consists of collaborating research groups within TUe. These include over 140 researchers and more than 450 PhDs. EIRES brings these researchers together and creates new network connections between researchers and industry.

Within the focus area of energy transition in the built environment, a large-scale research program was recently launched. This program, BEHeaT, stands for Built Environment Heat Transition. The program is funded with TUe's own resources as well as contributions from industry. The research program has a pragmatic approach.

Within the BEHeaT program, research is conducted into the (further) development of various (new) materials, components and/or systems in relation to intelligent buildings, heat storage, heat networks and/or electricity grids. The focus is not only on physical materials, components and systems, but also on dynamic (predictive) models. We believe that in order to have impact, any research must take systems integration as its starting point. In addition, we believe that technology does not stand alone and should always be seen in relation to the (end) user. In this way, the impact of research results is increased.

• Motivated research software engineer, with a BSc or (preferably) MSc in Computer Science, Technical Informatics or Electrical Engineering.
• The ideal candidate would be Computer Scientist/Software Engineer with strong affinity with Energy Systems, or a Power Systems Engineer/Sustainable Energy Systems Scientist with experience in Software Engineering and/ or Systems Modelling.
• Experience of scientific computing, data science, edge computing, or high-performance computing.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages including, but not limited to, MATLAB, Python, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript.
• Experience with, or a desire to learn and gain experience with, containerization packages (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes), message busses (e.g., MQTT, Mosquitto), cloud computing (e.g., Azure).
• Experience using professional, industry-standard software engineering tools and processes including version control, agile tooling, code review, and pull requests.
• Experience in the complete software engineering lifecycle (requirements engineering through to deployment and maintenance) with experience of software architecting, design and testing.
• Good organization skills and the ability to manage multiple streams of work.
• An empathetic and sensitive approach when dealing with people.
• A team player who enjoys working in the forefront of scientific knowledge in cooperation  with PhD and PostDoc researchers, in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
• Good (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication skills.
• Independent and responsible.
• Can-do mentality

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
• Full-time employment for 1 year with a possible extension with another 2 years
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10-11, depending on experience.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.