The Centre on Sustainable Energy (SE) supports the development of materials, devices and methods for generation, storage and distribution of energy solutions at low environmental impact (https://www.fbk.eu/en/sustainable-energy/). This is done in the perspective of energy sustainability, of systems and solutions that respect the environment and the quality of life. The ground for the Centre on Sustainable Energy is based on the decarbonisation targets, which demand for more flexibility of energy systems, through new power and gas grids and through the use of energy vectors and storage solutions, as enablers for the wide penetration of renewables.

Part of FBK-SE, the Area “Sustainable Territories” conducts R&I activities in the fields of regional and local energy transition, grid flexibility, energy communities, smart cities, clean mobility, building renovation and green industries, including interdisciplinary approaches among the energy, digital and social sectors. The “Sustainable Territories” projects and demonstrators involve energy planning, energy modeling, engineering, testing, monitoring & control, in synergy with various stakeholders such as political institutions, energy authorities, TSOs, DSOs, ESCOs, local communities, cooperation and social sectors, building and industrial companies.

FBK actively seeks diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is also committed in promoting gender equality.

Job Description
The research position offered concerns the field of modeling and demonstration of industrial decarbonisation.

The candidate will provide support to FBK-SE in both European and local projects. The main contribution will be in the European research project “USES4HEAT” (HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-01-14).

The research position offered is related to the following main project objectives:

• Develop and demonstrate at TRL 8 two innovative large-scale cost-effective seasonal TES technologies (ATES and BTES) for decarbonised heating supply
• Develop and demonstrate at TRL 8 key enabling technologies for decarbonisation, increased flexibility, availability and robustness of the heating sector and integration with seasonal TES
• Develop and demonstrate at TRL 8 intelligent energy management systems, based on AI and big-data analytics, and predictive O&M
• Assess the performance and sustainability of USES4HEAT from a holistic and systematic perspective accounting for circular economy, social, economic, financial and environmental aspects
• Promote USES4HEAT solutions across EU and non–EU and facilitate market uptake and path to TRL9.

Main job tasks will be:

• Base layout definition and basic engineering for demo sites 
• Territorial heat and cooling decarbonisation modelling via geospatial mapping and dynamic multi-objective optimization
• Dynamic/transient modelling
• Baseline monitoring and demonstration planning
• Supervision of the development and realization of demo site enabling technologies (in a paper mill: (I) New seasonal, large-scale, aquifer thermal energy storage, (II) New groundwater heat pump at high temperature, low GWP and ATES/DH-connected, (III) Integration of hybrid solar panels with ATES)
• Supervision of the engineering, monitoring planning, installation and commissioning
• Supervision of the experimental campaign and critical assessment.

Job requirements
The ideal candidate should have:

• MSc in Energy, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical discipline
• Strong know-how on industrial energy systems and decarbonisation
• Solid technical skills on RES integration (mainly geothermal energy, heat pumps, PVT solar panels), thermal storage integration, Energy System Integration, DH networks, electrical grids
• Solid technical skills on electrical and thermal grids design and operation
• Solid technical skills on energy planning and modeling
• Ability to write reports and scientific publications
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, with a strong commitment to achieve assigned objectives
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English and Italian
• Skills in problem solving
• Good communication and relational skills
• Self-motivation and result orientation. 

Furthermore, the following elements will be positively evaluated:

• PhD in the fields related to this call
• Good knowledge on industrial processes
• Specific knowledge in industrial digitalization
• Experience on business models.

Employment
Type of contract: Fixed Term Contract
Working hours: full time (38 hours per week)
Gross annual salary: about € 36.200
Start date: December 2023 – January 2024
Duration: 2 years
Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities, accommodation etc., supplementary pension and health fund, training courses, public transport, sports facilities, language courses fees. More info at https://www.fbk.eu/en/work-with-us/
Workplace: Trento – Rovereto (Italy)

How to apply?

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by completing the online form. Please make sure that your application contains the following attachments (in pdf format): 

• Detailed CV
• Motivation Letter
• Email address contact for two referees.