Research Positions – „Collaborative Machine Learning for the Energy Transition“ (joint PhD program with Imperial College London)

Doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) – Collaborative Machine Learning for the Energy Transition

31.07.2023, Wissenschaftliches Personal

Within the Joint Academy for Doctoral Studies (JADS) program of Technical University of Munich and Imperial College London, the Professorship of Energy Management Technologies at TUM’s School of Engineering and Design is looking for a doctoral researcher (f/m/d) in the area of Collaborative Machine Learning for the Energy Transition.

Our research focus:

The researchers working at the Professorship of Energy Management Technologies are focusing on the design and evaluation of innovative data- and machine learning-based systems to integrate more renewable energy into our energy systems and make energy use more efficient. We develop new optimization methods, machine learning algorithms, and prototypical systems controlling complex energy systems like electric grids and thermal systems for a sustainable future. These systems coordinate distributed renewable generation like solar and wind, flexible loads like heat pumps and electric vehicles, and distributed energy storage like stationary batteries and hydrogen storage to maximize energy efficiency while keeping the grid reliable and secure. Our research method is engineering-oriented, prototype-driven, and highly interdisciplinary. Our typical research process includes the evaluation of existing systems, extensive simulation-based analyses, as well as the implementation and validation of algorithm and system designs in real world settings.

Background:

The Joint Academy for Doctoral Studies (JADS) program supports joint research projects between Technical University of Munich and Imperial College London. Together with the Chair of Data-centric Design Engineering at Imperial College London, TUM’s Professorship of Energy Management Technologies participates in this program and awards an excellent candidate with a prestigious JADS PhD scholarship. The chosen candidate will work on a research project called COMET (“Collaborative Machine Learning for the Energy Transition”) and be supervised by one professor at TUM (Prof. Goebel) and one at Imperial College (Prof. Pinson). The core objective of the COMET project is to develop and validate novel data sharing and machine learning-based methods for achieving net-zero carbon energy supply and investigate business models to ensure that digitalization is optimally and fairly supporting the energy transition. This will be done by (i) developing novel capabilities for predictive and prescriptive analytics based on trusted data, and by (ii) designing novel mechanisms and a prototypical digital platform to enable and incentivize data sharing and collaborative ML model development. Emphasis will be placed on use-inspired research, by considering a set of real-world use cases as a basis for the research and validation of the new concepts developed during the project life.

Your profile:

• Excellent master’s degree in computer science, electrical or mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, or a similar engineering-oriented quantitative discipline
• Advanced software development and data analytics skills
• Hands-on mentality with first practical experience in developing innovative technology
• Inquisitive and passionate about research and knowledge transfer
• Independent, creative, and committed way of working
• Ability to think conceptually and analytically
• Basic knowledge of energy technology
• Very good command of English

Our offer:

We offer you the opportunity to do research within a team of highly motivated researchers and benefit from the research environment offered by two of the best universities in Europe and worldwide. We support your doctoral dissertation in the research areas outlined above. The offered scholarship is available from 1 October 2023 (later start possible) for a maximum of 4 years and includes travel support to enable regular exchange with the research group at Imperial College London as well as international conferences.

Your application:

We are looking forward to your application until September 3, 2023. Please submit it as one single PDF file via email to applications.emt@ed.tum.de. The application should contain the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae
• Complete academic transcripts
• Letters of reference from previous positions held, including internships
• Bachelor and Master thesis

The position is suitable for people with severe disabilities. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference if they otherwise have essentially the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance.

If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact Prof. Dr. Christoph Goebel at christoph.goebel@tum.de.

Kontakt: christoph.goebel@tum.de