We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and communicative researcher with a Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field, from a reputable institute. Candidates with a background in a.o. economics, operations research are also encouraged to apply. You should have obtained excellent study results.
Candidates should have a strong interest in energy, especially in energy system operation and planning, as well as energy markets, policy and modeling. Experience with Matlab/Python/GAMS/Julia is a plus. Applicants should also have good English communication skills.
The candidate can start from existing energy systems models and dedicated expertise available in the research group and will collaborate with other research group members.
With the Green Deal, the EU has the ambition to become carbon neutral by 2050. This will imply a massive transformation of our entire energy system. This transformation includes a change in the use of our primary energy vectors, as well as in end-use sectors. On the supply side, an increased level of electrification will be crucial. CO2-free electricity generation will come largely from a massive deployment of renewables. To support this transition, we develop and deploy energy system models.
We are currently offering a PhD position focusing on the pricing of heat in district heating networks. Drawing on our expertise in electricity market design and operation, in this PhD we aim to model and evaluate the impact of heat market design and the interactions within multi-vector energy systems to secure revenue streams (e.g. waste heat valorisation and energy flexibility services to the electricity market). We further aim to identify and evaluate financing mechanisms in relation to their applicability for different types and scales of district heating solutions. This PhD research will take place in the context of a larger international project with the EU LIFE programme.
If you are interested/motivated to do research in this domain, we encourage you to notify us/apply via the procedure explained below.
At the division of Applied Mechanics and Energy Conversion (TME) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven, and embedded in EnergyVille, a dynamic research group led by Prof. Erik Delarue focuses on advanced modeling of energy systems and markets. Our research spans various critical areas including unit commitment, system planning, equilibrium modeling, agent-based modeling, renewables integration, energy policy, and energy market design. In the Energy Systems Integration and Modeling (ESIM) research group, PhD students and post-docs work on modeling and applications to energy and climate policies.
KU Leuven is among the top European universities. It is a key player in the field of energy research, also through the collaboration within EnergyVille.
We offer:
1. A doctoral scholarship for four years (net monthly salary of about ~€2,500) and a PhD degree in Engineering, if successful
2. A highly specialized (doctoral) training, making the candidate an expert in energy systems modeling.
3. The opportunity to collaborate with international partners in a European project and participate in international conferences.
4. Multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure, and sports facilities)
We aim for a start on September 1st, 2026.