Postdoc in Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Techno-Economic Assessment

Empowering rural areas is crucial to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Rural areas are home for one-third of the European Union (EU) population, representing 83% of the territory, and hosting critical natural resources and ecosystems. However, rural areas in the EU are remarkably diverse due to biogeographical and geopolitical situations, facing different sustainability challenges and requiring diverse innovative solutions to tackle these multi-faceted problems.

Your job
In the framework of the 36 months Horizon Europe project 'Sustainable Transformation of Rural Communities via technical, social and organizational Innovations' (STORCITO), we will contribute to fostering a sustainable, balanced, equitable and inclusive development of rural areas, by implementing several sustainable and profitable solutions directed to different EU rural communities. Among the diverse sustainability challenges for rural communities in Europe, STORCITO will address the three major ones:

1. sustainable management of forests and wildfire prevention;
2. transition of citizens to sustainable energy systems;
3. shift to inclusive climate-neutral mobility.

This postdoc position will be dedicated to address the second challenge.

In the context of STORCITO, the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University is looking for a Postdoctoral researcher, for a fully funded 34 months position (0.8-1 FTE), who will work with Dr. Luis Ramirez Camargo of the Energy & Resources group and with other STORCITO project partners at institutions in Germany, Norway and Spain.

The tasks for this position are as follows:

• Estimate the onshore technical and economic potential for CCUS in rural areas in Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.
• Gather high resolution spatial explicit data on (potential) CO2 sinks, transport options and CO2 sources, as well as data on local regulation, (market ready) technologies and associated costs. The aim is to develop a (semi-)automated data acquisition workflow that will allow to keep the data up-to data with very little effort.
• Estimate energy and land needs for the realization of the CCU potential.
• Develop a multi-objective optimization model for individual CCUS projects.
• Explore options for high level assessment of environmental and social impacts of individual CCUS projects.
• Conduct multiple CCUS exemplary case studies in the Netherlands and support project partners in Germany to also conduct case studies there.
• Contribute with the integration of the CCUS data and optimization model into enerplanet - A framework for regional smart energy planning using volunteered geographic information. This requires close collaboration with the German teams in the project.
• Make dissemination of project results and propose exploitation strategies for the developed models and tool(s).

While the tasks in STORCITO have to be completed as they are proposed, there is flexibility for this postdoc to place focus and emphasis on their own research interests and strengths. We aim to provide this postdoc with the conditions and support to advance in their academic and/or professional career.

This research is funded by the EU as part of the Horizon Europe programme. Resources are secured for the participation in multiple international conferences and interaction on site with project partners.

The ideal candidate:

• holds a PhD in a topic related to energy science, geoinformatics, computer science, environmental engineering or in a relevant science subject area with an affinity for renewable energy integration, spatial analysis/GIS and programming;
• has proven experience in programming (preferably python);
• has experience with methods and models to estimate techno-economic potential of renewable energy technologies;
• has knowledge and interest in the energy transition. Having detailed knowledge and/or experience related to modelling, planning or implementing CCUS projects is a plus;
• has understanding and/or experience in the development or utilisation of optimisation models for energy systems;
• has experience in development of APIs;
• is able to work in an interdisciplinary team spread across Europe;
• has an excellent English proficiency (C1). Language proficiency in Dutch, German, Spanish and/or Norwegian is also an asset.

We recognise that candidates might not have all these qualifications. A combination of them (specially a PhD degree and a strong background in computer science, programming or geoinformatics) and the willingness to acquire the others during the first months of the project will suffice to be taken into consideration.

We offer:

• a position for up to 34 months - the length of the position will depend on the start date. The contract can be made until the end of the project (30 April 2028);
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,378 and €5,331 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

In particular you will work at the Energy and Resources Section of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. The Copernicus Institute is a vibrant international research community that aims to help accelerate the transition to a sustainable society. We do this by developing excellent and relevant knowledge, collaborating with citizens, politicians, policymakers, NGOs and firms to learn from each other and influence decision-making, and by educating the change agents of the future.