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PhD (f/m/x): Techno-Economic Modeling of Solar Fuel Production
Job Description
Req ID:  3106
Place of work:  Jülich
Starting date:  01.02.2026
Career level:  Doctorate
Type of employment:  Part time, Full-time
Duration of contract:  3 years limited

Remuneration: Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector - Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

The vision of the DLR Institute for Future Fuels is to develop technological solutions that enable the cost-effective production of fuels, hydrogen, or even commodities in the sunbelt of the earth on an industrial scale. At the institute, we use our unique infrastructure in which concentrated solar energy covers the heat demand of high-temperature processes.

What to expect

This PhD position focuses on integrating thermo-chemical redox processes into systems for solar fuel production, coupling them with components such as concentrated solar energy, direct air capture, and fuel synthesis.

 

You will explore and optimize both the technical and economic aspects of designing promising process configurations.

 

The goal is to determine the most suitable system designs for specific applications, taking into account factors such as heat integration, self-sufficiency, and energy efficiency, with the overarching aim of minimizing the costs of the desired fuel products.

 

Your tasks

  • further development of Python models to optimize plants for solar fuel production
  • detailed modeling of selected process components using Aspen Plus software
  • techno-economic analysis of the modeled plants and plant operation
  • evaluation of future cost developments and policy measures to reduce the costs of solar fuels
  • publication of results in scientific journals, conferences, and project reports

 

Your profile

  • University degree in industrial engineering, environmental management, process engineering, chemical engineering, or similar
  • experience in programming
  • experience in process simulation
  • basic knowledge about techno-economic assessment
  • basic knowledge about renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels production
  • independent and structured way of working
  • excellent communication skills in English

 

Remuneration is up to the German TVöD 13 depending on qualifications and assigned tasks.

We offer

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 3106) please contact:

 

Dr. Jonas Martin
Tel.: +4922036011583
Apply now