The Group for Sustainability and Technology (SusTec) within the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics of ETH Zürich investigates the role of policy, technological innovation, and organizational strategies on the path to a decarbonized energy system and a circular economy. To strengthen our team, we are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Modeling Policy and Markets for Electrification.

You are expected to conduct research toward a decarbonized energy and transportation system, contributing to the development of new modeling at the intersection of engineering, economics, and policy. Your research will address how policies and energy markets should change to support widespread electrification. More specifically, your research will be situated in two areas:

• How do policies and market designs shape the electrification and charging of heavy-duty commercial vehicles? What business models and what conditions with respect to mobility, the electricity system, markets, or policies could lead to the widespread adoption of V2G for electric trucks? 
• How do policies and market designs affect the cost effectiveness of large-scale heat pumps? What business models and conditions with respect to the local energy system, markets, or policies could lead to their widespread deployment?

The project will involve a collaboration with the ETH Energy Science Center, the ETH AI Center, and large industry partners. Advising PhD and Master’s students will be an integral part of your role. You will also be involved in some of the group’s teaching activities and gain experience leading research projects and teams.

Your previous activities should reflect a strong interest in sustainability, energy system decarbonization, and/or transportation electrification. You should have experience working with quantitative models of electricity markets, large-scale energy systems, electric vehicle charging, policies for electrification or industry decarbonization, and/or the system integration of other storage or flexibility technologies. Demonstrated experience with research on policies and/or energy markets is important for this position.

You should hold (or complete by fall 2025) a PhD in engineering, have a strong technical background, and be proficient in programming. We welcome applications from researchers fresh out of their PhD or with up to one year of postdoc experience. You should have clear aspirations to pursue an academic career and have an excellent academic record with publications in well-respected journals. We are looking for someone whose working style is team-oriented, who has strong communication skills, and who is proficient in English. German skills are not required, but an additional asset.

We offer a positive research environment in a large, dynamic team at a globally leading academic institution. In our group, you will benefit from frequent interactions with leading researchers from across a vibrant community of energy system research at ETH Zürich and around the world. The project will be supervised by Senior Researcher Dr. Siobhan Powell, with Prof. Volker Hoffmann as the leader of the research group. The annual salary is very competitive (see ETH Zurich regulations). The contract is initially limited to one year with planned extension for several years. We are aiming to fill this position as soon as possible. Note that this role is based in Zürich – remote work from outside of Switzerland is not possible due to legal constraints.

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

We look forward to receiving your online application including

• CV
• transcript
• cover letter (maximum 1 page)
• contact details of two referees
• an outline of your research interests (maximum 2 pages)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting immediately. Please submit your application through our online application portal no later than May 31st, 2025. Incomplete applications or applications via email will not be considered. 

Further information about SusTec can be found here. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Siobhan Powell (no applications). For recruitment services, the general terms and conditions of ETH Zürich apply.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.