PhD Position on Future Hydrogen Markets

Do you want work on the future of hydrogen markets?

Do you have solid quantitative and analytical skills that you want to develop further in an international setting?

Job Description

A future climate-neutral energy system will rely on renewable electricity and hydrogen. While the EU produced more electricity from wind and solar PV than from fossil fuels for the first time in 2024, investments in renewable hydrogen infrastructure are not materializing. In 2023, only 216 MW of electrolyzer capacity was installed in the EU, far below what is needed to provide the European industry with green hydrogen. In addition to unfavorable economics, financial risks and the absence of a clear market, regulatory and policy framework are holding back investments.

In this PhD, we focus therefore focus on a key challenge in this domain: how can we design efficient hydrogen markets, compatible with government-backed support instruments and bilateral long-term agreements between offtakers and producers?

To address this question, you will develop state-of-the-art equilibrium and optimization models to capture market clearing and price formation processes, market distortions and policy interventions. You will start with short-term forward and balancing markets - where the market meets the physics of the hydrogen system. Subsequently, you will focus on the integration of long-term contracts, forward trading and government-backed support mechanisms. Risk allocation is a central theme throughout the PhD trajectory.

This PhD position is funded under the HySUCCESS project, which is part of the R&D programme of GroenVermogenNL. Your daily supervisor and promotor will be Kenneth Bruninx. You will join a lively community of internationally renowned interdisciplinary energy researchers in the Department of Engineering Systems and Services at TU Delft. Our faculty hosts a diverse group of people from different countries and disciplines, and we welcome candidates that contribute to and enjoy this diversity.

Job Requirement

You must be able to demonstrate:

• Masters degree in science, engineering or economics (must have been awarded by the agreed-upon starting date of the PhD).
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Very good written and spoken communication skills in English (Dutch is not required).

Bonus points if you have:

• Programming experience in Julia, Python or a similar language.
• Prior research experience, especially in energy system/market modelling or other energy-related research.

TU Delft (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 as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Faculty Technology, Policy & Management

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

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.