PhD Student Position in Energy and Environment: Climate Policy Modeling, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

The Department of Energy and Environment conducts superior research and education in energy and sustainable development, at the global scale down to the industrial, building, and product level. Our focus is on experimental and theoretical energy technology research, as well as development, use, and evaluation of methods and tools for analysis of technology systems. In total, 150 individuals work in the department’s six divisions.

The doctoral position is in the Physical Resource Theory division. Physical Resource Theory encompasses theories, models, and methods to describe the metabolism of energy and materials in social and natural systems, in physical and economics terms. For instance, we develop models to characterize how current and future use of energy and materials can develop toward a reduced environmental impact.

Job description

Climate change is one of the world’s most widely discussed global challenges. In order to assess the effectiveness of climate policies and the impact such polices have on emissions and technology choices modeling tools can be very useful.

In this position you will develop and use models to analyze energy and climate policy relevant research issues. You will start with analyzing the interaction between local/regional air pollution and climate change. There is a potential for large gains if policies aimed at targeting these problems could be better coordinated. An important step to make such coordination effective is to better understand and quantify the climate impacts of pollutants that are traditionally not considered in climate policies, for instance, soot or carbon monoxide. Such emissions are comparatively large in many developing regions of the world, and reducing them would generate important local benefits as well as decrease global warming. The modeling tools that will be covered within this position stretch from simple climate models to economic optimization models.

Doctoral positions include doctoral studies leading to the doctoral degree, the equivalent of four full-time years of study, including research, course work, and participation in seminars and conferences. The position may be held for no more than five years and includes 20% teaching and other departmental duties.

Required qualifications

Applicants must hold a post-secondary degree equivalent to at least 240 credits in the Swedish higher education system (preferably obtained within the past five years) with a technical/ natural science focus, including a thesis project equivalent to at least 30 such credits. Post-secondary concentration should be in a field relevant to the applicable research area. Knowledge about economics and experience of modeling are considered additional qualifications. Applicants should have the general aptitude determined necessary to complete the doctoral education.

Doctoral and masters level courses are typically taught in English, lower level courses are taught in Swedish. Solid language skills are essential.

Application procedure

The application shall be written in English and include the following items:

An application of a maximum of one A4 page containing your specific qualifications for the position
Attested copies of education certificates, including grade reports and other documents
Curriculum Vitae
Letters of recommendation and name of reference persons (optional)
The application shall be sent electronically as pdf or zipped documents. Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

If any material is not available electronically or cannot be transferred to pdf format, the material can be sent as a hard copy to Registrar. The applicants name and the reference number (2010/147) must be written on the first page of the application.

Address:

Registrar
Chalmers University of Technology
SE-412 96 Göteborg
Sweden
Further information

Assistant professor Daniel Johansson, phone: +46 31-772 3453, e mail: daniel.johansson@chalmers.se
Head of division Ulrika Lundqvist, phone: +46 31-772 3281, e mail: ulrika.lundqvist@chalmers.se
Head of department Lennart Vamling, phone: + 46 31-772 3021, e mail: lennart.vamling@chalmers.se
Union representatives

SACO: Jan Lindér
ST: Marie Wenander
SEKO: Johan Persson
All reachable via Chalmers exchange: +46 31 772 10 00

Application Deadline : 31 August 2010

Source:

http://www.chalmers.se/ee/EN/news/vacancies/positions/phd-student-position-in3693