The Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM) invites applications for a tenure-track position as assistant professor in Industry and Energy Transition. The position is established within the department Engineering Systems and Services (ESS), more specifically in the Energy and Industry (E&I) section, where the research on energy system integration, decarbonization of the industry, energy transition and circular economy takes place. The ESS department aims to contribute to the scholarly debate at the highest international level, and is rooted in both engineering and social sciences. It hosts energy system experts, industry (decarbonisation), mobility (passenger as well as freight) and ICT experts (cyber, distributed systems, IT architectures), as well as choice modelling and decision making scholars. This combination of expertise guarantees that the cross-sectoral and socio-technical characteristics of industry and energy transition challenges are addressed.

The industry accounts for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions which can be reduced in various ways: e.g. a combination of decarbonisation technologies, demand-side measures, energy efficiency improvements, electrification of heat, using low-carbon hydrogen as feedstock and/or fuel to generate high-temperature heat, carbon capture and storage (CCS). The systemic change of the energy supply to industry and society from fossil to renewable energy carriers therefore requires concerted action along the value chain from energy production to energy conversion to transport, storage and use. Each stage involves major investments with large uncertainties - of techno-economic nature as well as institutional and societal nature and involves many different stakeholders.

The topic of the proposed position is the (quantitative) analysis of the energy transition towards a low-carbon system. The focus will be mainly on hydrogen, that can transport and store large quantities of renewable energy cost-effectively. It can be used as a green feedstock and for high temperature heat generation in industry, as well as for space heating in the built environment, where the investment choice between different energy carriers and systems (heat grids, local heat systems, hydrogen) is not trivial.

The focus is on the following tasks:

- Developing a new research line in the field of Industry and Energy Transition with a focus on hydrogen with low-carbon impact;

- Contributing to teaching in the BSc and MSc programmes of the faculty of Technology, Policy and Management;

- Leadership in acquisition of (inter)national research projects;

- Establishing strong collaborations with academic and industrial partners.

We are looking for candidates who:

- Have a proven background in an engineering or in a science  domain demonstrated by a PhD degree in, for example, Complex Systems Engineering and Management, Chemical Engineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or Physics, etc.;

- Have the ability and motivation to establish an own research direction within the area of industry and energy transition;

- Have the capability to provide high-quality teaching and student supervision at the university level;

- Have the ability/willingness to initiate and direct research projects obtained by external funding;

- Have experience on system analysis;

- Have the affinity with industry and energy transition problems;

- Have organizational skills to cooperate effectively with staff, other research institutes and industry

- Have excellent communication and soft skills;

- Are open minded and are team players.

We particularly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority.

Fixed-term contract: 6 years.

A tenure-track position is offered for six years. In the fifth year we’ll decide if you will be offered a permanent faculty position, based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards an Associate Professor and/or Full Professor role in the future.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Technology, Policy and Management

With its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy, the Faculty of TPM makes an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security.
We combine insights from the engineering sciences, the social and the humanities. We develop robust models and designs, are internationally oriented and have an extensive network with knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.