Job Description

Centre for Industrial Mechanics, part of Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for one or more 2-year postdoc positions to join the centre as soon as possible. The specific start date will be agreed upon with the successful candidates.

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), renowned for its pioneering research and innovative educational approaches, is home to the dynamic Centre for Industrial Mechanics (CIM). CIM is an integral part of the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, situated in the vibrant city of Sønderborg. Together, they form a hub of technological advancement and interdisciplinary collaboration dedicated to solving the complex challenges of today's rapidly evolving engineering landscape. In line with our commitment to excellence and our mission to contribute to sustainable solutions for the future, we are excited to announce an open call for a Postdoc position in Power-to-X technologies, with a focus on techno-economic modelling, system optimisation, and market integration.

The selected candidate will join a supportive and resource-rich research environment characterised by state-of-the-art facilities and a strong network of leading academics and industry professionals. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact research at the intersection of process engineering, energy economics, and AI-driven optimisation. The starting date is flexible, with a preference for autumn 2025.

Unique Opportunity

The Centre for Industrial Mechanics focuses on mechanics integrated with mechatronics, energy systems, and intelligent control. As a postdoc, you will have a direct and formative role in shaping the centre's research strategy and methodology in Power-to-X. You will be part of an ambitious team working on national and international projects.

Workplace Description

The Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at SDU is dedicated to a broad spectrum of research and education, from fundamental principles to engineering applications, with all activities conducted in English. The Centre for Industrial Mechanics, situated within the Alsion building on SDU's Sønderborg campus, benefits from SDU's strong industry connections in sectors including e-mobility, automation, climate solutions, and energy efficiency. The research environment encompasses diverse fields such as cyber-physical systems, renewable energy systems, artificial intelligence, and mechatronic prototyping.

Project Summary

This two-year Postdoc project is part of SDU's strategic effort to advance Power-to-X (PtX) technologies through integrated techno-economic modelling, flexible system operation, and market-coupled optimisation. The research builds on existing simulation frameworks for Power-to-Methanol and green hydrogen production, extending them to incorporate district-heating integration, reserve-market participation, and AI-driven operational strategies.

The Postdoc will develop and validate optimisation models that couple detailed process simulation with hourly market and operational decision-making, addressing both technical and economic constraints across integrated energy systems.

Key Research Objectives

• Techno-Economic Modelling and Optimisation: Extend and validate integrated simulation frameworks for PtX plants, coupling process models with market-based operation under technical and economic constraints.
• Flexible Operation and Reserve Markets: Develop operational strategies for PtX systems that enable participation in electricity spot markets, frequency containment reserves, and demand-response mechanisms.
• Sector Coupling and District Heating: Investigate the integration of PtX waste heat into district heating networks, assessing thermodynamic, economic, and regulatory feasibility.
• AI-Driven Optimisation: Apply machine learning and reinforcement learning techniques to develop adaptive control and scheduling strategies for dynamic PtX operation under variable renewable input and price signals.
• Scalability to Emerging Flexible Actors: Extend the modelling and optimisation methodology to hyperscale data centres and other emerging flexible energy actors, focusing on grid-interactive potential and waste-heat utilisation.
• Scientific Dissemination: Publish findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences, contributing to the scientific community and broader project communication.

Duties of the Position

• Conduct research on Power-to-X systems, including integrated techno-economic modelling, optimisation, and scenario analysis aligned with the project objectives.
• Develop and extend simulation and optimisation frameworks for green hydrogen, methanol, and sector-coupled energy systems, with a focus on market participation and flexible operation.
• Apply AI and machine learning techniques, including reinforcement learning, to develop adaptive control and planning strategies for PtX processes.
• Investigate integration of PtX systems with district heating, electricity markets, and reserve market mechanisms.
• Publish research findings in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and present outcomes at international conferences, workshops, and symposia.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners, contributing to joint research activities, project meetings, and collaborative proposals.
• Co-supervise Bachelor and Master students in SDU Energy Systems / CIM, supporting their research and thesis work in related topics.
• Contribute to teaching activities in relevant courses, including the Power-to-X course and Energy Systems course at CIM, SDU.
• Engage with the scientific and industrial community through academic networks, technical forums, and stakeholder events.
• Provide regular progress reports and milestone updates to supervisors and project partners.

The Candidate Must Have

We are seeking a highly motivated and interdisciplinary researcher with the following qualifications:

• A PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in techno-economic assessment and optimisation of integrated energy systems, particularly Power-to-X, hydrogen, or synthetic fuel systems.
• Strong background in process modelling and simulation of PtX systems (e.g., electrolysis, methanol synthesis, ammonia) combined with market and operational modelling.
• Experience with electricity market participation, flexibility modelling, and reserve market mechanisms.
• Solid programming skills in Python for simulation, optimisation, and data analysis.
• Familiarity with AI and machine learning techniques applied to energy systems, including reinforcement learning or other control-oriented methods.
• Experience with sector coupling, district heating integration, or related multi-energy system analysis is a strong advantage.
• A track record of publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals in the field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international academic environment.

Further Information

For further information, please visit www.sdu.dk/ime and https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/cim or contact:

• Associate Professor Lars Duggen, Head of Centre for Industrial Mechanics, tel. +45 6550 1640, e-mail: duggen@sdu.dk
• Associate Professor Ali Khosravi, tel. +45 6550 1887, e-mail: alkh@sdu.dk

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support

Application

Applications will be assessed by an expert or assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

An application must include:

• Motivated application (cover letter).
• Curriculum Vitae, including a full list of publications.
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and an official English translation).
• Maximum 3 selected publications or manuscripts relevant to the position.
• and documentation of experience in teaching, if relevant to the position.
• Names and contact details of two referees.
• A statement or documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position (optional).

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is June 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST)

Employment and salary terms

The appointment as a postdoc is temporary for an initial 2-year period, and the preferred start date is as soon as possible. Extension may be possible depending on available funding.

Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described therein.

Salary is based on qualifications and experience. Further information on salary and taxation.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements. As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process. SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.

Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.