PhD Position – Optimization of Electric Vehicle Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid Strategies
At the Institute of Energy Technologies – Fundamentals of Electrochemistry (IET-1), we conduct research on highly topical issues relating to the energy transition and structural change. For example, we are working on the battery of the future and researching novel battery concepts. Another exciting project we are working on is how to turn the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) from a climate killer into a raw material of the future. The aim of our research and development work is to develop cost-effective batteries, fuel cells and electrolysers with improved energy and power density, longer service life and maximum safety! Hydrogen production based on renewable energy sources using high- and low-temperature electrolysis is becoming increasingly important for us. Find out more about our mission and forward-looking projects here: https://go.fzj.de/iet-1
Your Job
You will develop and evaluate model-based charging and vehicle-to-grid strategies for electric vehicles. Your work will combine battery and battery ageing models with real-world mobility profiles, electricity prices, photovoltaic generation and grid requirements. The aim is to identify charging strategies that balance battery lifetime, energy costs, CO₂ emissions, grid services and user needs.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Formulating objective functions and technical constraints for the optimisation of V1G and V2G charging strategies
- Integrating electrochemical battery models and battery ageing models into an optimisation framework
- Processing and integrating real-world driving, charging, vehicle-availability, household-load and photovoltaic-generation profiles
- Developing and applying optimisation methods, such as model predictive control, multi-objective optimisation and, where appropriate, reinforcement learning
- Investigating suitable model-reduction and approximation approaches for computationally efficient optimisation
- Analysing uncertainties in user behaviour and external boundary conditions
- Comparing V1G and V2G strategies with regard to battery ageing, electricity costs, CO₂ emissions, grid impact and user requirements
- Documenting and publishing the scientific results and presenting them at project meetings and conferences
- Collaborating closely with researchers working on battery modelling, ageing diagnostics and energy-system analysis
Your Profile
- A university Master’s degree in electrical engineering, control engineering, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, computational engineering or a related discipline
- Sound knowledge of mathematical optimisation, control engineering or energy-management methods
- Experience in numerical modelling and scientific programming in MATLAB
- Basic understanding of battery systems, electric vehicles, energy systems or power grids
- Experience with model predictive control, multi-objective optimisation, reinforcement learning or uncertainty analysis is advantageous
- Experience in processing and analysing time-series data
- A structured, independent and solution-oriented approach to scientific work
- Strong analytical skills and an interest in interdisciplinary research
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and international project environment
- Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level. Knowledge of the German language is not mandatory but certainly appreciated
Our Benefits for You
- Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
- Research & Infrastructure: You will have access to excellent scientific and technical facilities for your work
- Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network
- Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
- Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
- Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS) and with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
- Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive company health management programme with a wide range of options, including a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counselling team are available to assist you on site
- Fair remuneration: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD-Bund. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 66 ff. of the PDF download)
- Fixed-term: The position is limited to 3 years
- Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.
The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey
Index number: 2026D-0656
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