3 diploma worker positions in sustainable energy systems, Faculty of Technology, WE3 unit - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

We are now looking for

Three diploma workers (research assistants)

to conduct their diploma work in the projects of the Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit at the Faculty of Technology.

Subjects:

Thesis 1 (HYDRA project): The potential of SMRs to decarbonize the Finnish industry

Research questions:

• What is the current energy need of the Finnish industry and to what degree they can be electrified or decarbonized through the use of hydrogen
• How many and what size SMRs would cover this need (sizing study)
• What are the potential impacts, challenges and limitations of deploying SMRs

Expectations:

• Interest and familiarity with both nuclear power and hydrogen technologies
• Strong understanding of the structure of the energy system and the environmental impacts of energy technologies

Thesis 2 (HYDRA project): Life-cycle assessment of alternative hydrogen storage technologies

 Research questions:

• How do hydrogen-based storage systems compare to battery storage in terms of integrating large scale renewables to the power system?
• What are the environmental impacts of hydrogen storage technologies?
• Comparative life-cycle assessment of different power-to-power pathways

Expectations:

• Interest and familiarity with hydrogen storage technologies
• Experience with using SimaPro

Thesis 3 (Flaire project): Open access, information-based feedback system to steer demand side management solutions

Research questions:

• How can demand side management support a just transition?
• How to motivate demand side flexibility with environmental information?/Does environmental awareness steer energy consumption behaviour?
• What are the essential environmental impact indicators to communicate to users and how to quantify them?

Expectations:

• Interest and familiarity with demand side management
• Strong understanding of environmental impact indicators and a vision of how to steer environmentally preferable consumer behaviour.

The positions are for 6 months on a full-time basis, and should start as soon as possible. Part-time contracts (60-80%) are also possible, but the diploma work will have to be completed and submitted the latest by June 17th 2025.

Limitations and expectations:

• The positions are only available for students of the University of Oulu, Environmental Engineering Master’s Degree Programme, Sustainable Energy Systems orientation
• Candidates should be in their second year of studies, with a minimum of 75 ECTS already completed towards their master’s studies
• Of these, a min. of 40 ECTS energy courses completed, with very good or excellent grades
• This position is specifically aimed at completing the Master’s thesis for your degree
• Fluency in writing and communicating in English

Salary

The positions are fixed-term for 6 months on a full-time base, and should be completed between 1.9.2024 and 31.5.2025. The salary is based on the level 1 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities with an additional salary component based on personal work performance. The salary on a full-time base is 1700-2000 euros a month. A three month trial period will be enforced.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 19.9.2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through the Varbi recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Motivation letter - describe which position you are interested in, justify your interest and demonstrate how you fill the expectations
2. Transcript of records (printout from Peppi)

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position can be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Eva Pongrácz, eva.pongracz@oulu.fi