Falko Ueckerdt

Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U) in Austria is inviting applications for three PhD positions in the Energy Transition and Climate Futures research group, led by Founding Professor Falko Ueckerdt. The group focuses on interdisciplinary research to address the challenges of transitioning energy systems toward climate neutrality. Research areas include renewable energy, deep electrification, hydrogen, circular economy, and the transformation of energy-intensive industries such as steel and chemical production. The group employs advanced computational modeling and policy-relevant research to explore technological and policy solutions for sustainable energy systems. Methodologies include global transformation pathways, material flow analysis, and techno-economic assessments, leveraging tools like REMIND, flodym, REMIND-MFA, and PyPSA. The research aims to generate actionable scientific insights that inform energy transition and climate policy debates. Candidates with backgrounds in environmental science, engineering, computational modeling, or policy research are encouraged to apply. The positions offer the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of technology, policy, and sustainability. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the call closes on 31 January 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the official IT:U website or the provided application link.

Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U), Austria’s first public interdisciplinary university, is offering three full-time PhD positions in the field of Energy Transition and Climate Futures. These positions are part of the IT:U Doctoral School’s PhD-Program COMPUTATIONAL X, located on-site in Linz, Austria, with a start date in March 2026. The program is led by Professor Falko Ueckerdt, a renowned expert in energy systems and climate policy, who regularly publishes in high-impact journals such as Nature Energy. The research group focuses on the scientific and policy challenges of transitioning energy systems toward climate neutrality. Students will contribute to developing and evaluating technological and policy solutions for renewable energy, deep electrification, hydrogen, and circular economy. The group employs advanced computational modeling and policy-relevant research to explore sustainable transitions for energy systems, heavy industries, and societies. PhD candidates will have the opportunity to shape their thesis topics in alignment with their interests, the group’s strategy, and broader societal needs. IT:U offers a structured 4-year PhD program emphasizing scientific growth, personal development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The first year includes focused group work, research lab modules, and Project Integrated Courses (PICS), culminating in a PhD Proposal Presentation. The following years involve thesis development, interdisciplinary seminars, and project assistant work, concluding with thesis submission and defense. The program provides innovative working conditions, a supportive and diverse team, and strong international collaboration with leading institutions such as the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, TU Berlin, University of Oxford, and Monash University. Students will have opportunities for research stays abroad and to present at international conferences. Responsibilities include conducting research using computational models and tools, publishing scientific papers, presenting at conferences, collaborating across disciplines, contributing to teaching, and supporting third-party funding applications. Candidates will engage with stakeholders from industry, policymaking, and civil society, translating research into actionable insights for energy transition and climate policy debates. Applicants must have a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (energy and climate studies, computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, economics, system sciences, etc.), strong interest in energy system transformation and climate change mitigation, programming skills, and basic computational modeling knowledge. Experience with techno-economic analysis or scenario modeling is advantageous. Independent work, team orientation, and strong English communication skills (CEFR C1 or equivalent) are required. Funding includes a gross monthly salary from EUR 3,714.80 (full-time, 40h), complimentary office kitchen supplies, and the Austrian KlimaTicket Ö for unlimited public transport. The university values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. To apply, complete the online form at https://apply.it-u.at/ and upload your CV, diplomas, transcripts, motivational letter, programming experience (with git link if available), and up to three contacts for recommendations. Optional: upload your final secondary-school transcript. For questions, contact Prof. Falko Ueckerdt at [email protected] with your CV. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline of 31 January 2026. IT:U is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants regardless of age, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or origin.

Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U) in Linz, Austria, is offering two full-time postdoctoral positions in Energy System & Industry Transformation Modelling. As a new technical university dedicated to digital transformation, IT:U fosters interdisciplinary research and project-based learning to address the challenges of climate neutrality and energy transition. The positions are part of the Energy Transition and Climate Futures research group, led by Prof. Dr. Falko Ueckerdt, with strong ties to leading international research institutions such as the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Fraunhofer ISI, Technical University Berlin, University of Oxford, Monash University, and Tsinghua University. The research group focuses on generating scientific insights to guide the transformation towards renewable energy, deep electrification, hydrogen, climate-friendly materials (steel, chemicals), and a circular economy. The team combines advanced computational modelling with policy-relevant research to explore sustainable futures for energy systems, heavy industries, and societies. Postdoctoral researchers will contribute to collaborative code development, data analysis, publishing high-impact papers, supervising PhD and MA students, presenting at international conferences, collaborating with research partners, academic teaching, preparing funding applications, and communicating research results to industry and policymakers. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (computer science, data science, applied mathematics, physics, economics, engineering, environmental/climate/energy science, or related fields) and demonstrate programming experience (Python or R preferred). Experience with computational modelling, research software development, collaborative code projects using Git, energy systems analysis (e.g., PyPSA), scenario modelling, material flow analysis, or integrated assessment modelling is advantageous. Strong analytical skills, English proficiency (C1), and a record of scientific publication and presentation are required. Successful candidates will benefit from scientific growth, structured career development, international collaboration, and opportunities for research stays abroad. The working environment includes cozy office spaces, access to IT:U’s high-performance computing cluster, free parking or Climate Ticket Upper Austria, flexible working hours, and remote office options. The university values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. Competitive compensation starts from €67,000 yearly gross salary, with positions available for up to 4 years. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and positions remain open until filled. To apply, submit your CV (including grades and programming experience), cover letter, PhD certificate, certificates and transcripts, and 2-3 references via the online portal. For questions about the research group, contact Prof. Dr. Falko Ueckerdt at [email protected]. For administrative queries, contact Dr. David Bancelin at [email protected]. Join IT:U and contribute to cutting-edge research on energy system transformation, industry decarbonization, and climate futures in a dynamic, international, and interdisciplinary academic environment.

Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U) in Linz, Austria, is offering two full-time postdoctoral positions in Energy System & Industry Transformation Modelling. The university is dedicated to digital transformation and interdisciplinary research, with a strong focus on computational methods and project-based learning. The positions are part of the Energy Transition and Climate Futures research group, led by Prof. Dr. Falko Ueckerdt, a recognized expert in energy transition and heavy industry modelling. The research group is rapidly growing and collaborates with leading international institutions such as the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Technical University Berlin, University of Oxford, Monash University, and Tsinghua University. The group’s research addresses the energy transition towards climate neutrality, focusing on renewable energy, deep electrification, hydrogen, climate-friendly materials, and circular economy. The team combines computational modelling with policy-relevant research to explore sustainable transformation pathways for energy systems, heavy industries, and societies. Postdoctoral researchers will contribute to collaborative code development, data analysis, publishing high-impact scientific papers, supervising PhD and MA students, presenting at international conferences, collaborating with other research groups, academic teaching, supporting third-party funding applications, and communicating research results to industry and policymakers. The positions offer opportunities for international collaboration and research stays abroad. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (computer science, data science, applied mathematics, physics, economics, engineering, environmental/climate/energy science, or related fields) and demonstrate programming experience (Python or R preferred). Experience with computational modelling, collaborative code development (Git), energy systems analysis (e.g., PyPSA), scenario modelling, material flow analysis, or integrated assessment modelling is ideal but not mandatory. Strong analytical skills, excellent English communication (C1), and a track record of scientific publishing and presenting are required. The positions offer competitive compensation starting from €67,000 yearly gross salary, up to 4 years, with access to high-performance computing resources, flexible working hours, remote office options, free parking or Climate Ticket Upper Austria, and a supportive, diverse working environment. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and positions remain open until filled. To apply, submit your CV (including grades and programming experience), cover letter, PhD certificate, certificates and transcripts, and 2-3 references via the online portal. For research-related questions, contact Prof. Dr. Falko Ueckerdt at [email protected]. The university encourages applications from women and non-binary candidates and values diversity and inclusion.

Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U) in Linz, Austria, is offering a full-time postdoctoral position in Industrial Transformation, Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Systems. The university is dedicated to digital transformation and interdisciplinary research, with a strong focus on solution-oriented approaches to climate neutrality and energy transition. The successful candidate will join the Energy Transition and Climate Futures research group, led by Prof. Dr. Falko Ueckerdt, and collaborate with international partners from leading institutions such as the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Technical University Berlin, University of Oxford, Monash University, and Tsinghua University. The research scope includes steel and chemical-sector transformation, hydrogen, renewable energy systems, green industrial value chains and trade, global industrial transformation, material flows, deep electrification, and climate and industrial policy. The postdoc will focus on conceptual framing, literature synthesis, techno-economic and policy analysis, scenario design and interpretation, scientific writing, and stakeholder-oriented communication. Responsibilities include publishing high-impact scientific papers, conducting independent data analysis, literature reviews, scenario meta-analysis, policy analysis, and synthesising emerging evidence. The role also involves developing scientific narratives, engaging in stakeholder dialogues, supervising PhD and MA students, presenting at international conferences, collaborating with other research groups, contributing to academic teaching, and supporting third-party funding applications. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (energy economics, industrial ecology, engineering, economics, geography, political economy, sustainability science, climate policy, energy systems, environmental science, or related fields). Essential skills include expertise in energy-intensive industry transformation, analytical and conceptual abilities, literature and model synthesis, scientific writing and presentation, and strong English communication (C1 level). Preferred qualifications include experience with techno-economic assessment, scenario analysis, energy-system analysis, material-flow analysis, integrated assessment modelling, trade analysis, policy evaluation, knowledge of industrial decarbonisation pathways, familiarity with hydrogen-based industrial processes, renewable energy systems, green material value chains, and experience translating scientific insights into policy briefs or stakeholder presentations. The position offers scientific growth, personal development, international collaboration, societal dialogue, and policy advice opportunities. Benefits include competitive compensation starting from €67,000 yearly gross salary, up to 4 years contract, access to high-performance computing cluster, free parking or Climate Ticket Upper Austria, flexible working hours, and remote office options. The university values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds. To apply, submit your online application via the provided portal, including your CV (with university and high school grades), cover letter, PhD certificate, certificates and transcripts, and 2-3 references. For research-related questions, contact Prof. Dr. Falko Ueckerdt at [email protected]. For administrative matters, contact Dr. David Bancelin at [email protected].

Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U) in Linz, Austria, is offering a full-time postdoctoral position in Computational Modelling of Energy Systems & Industry Transformation. This opportunity is part of the Energy Transition and Climate Futures research group, which focuses on advancing the energy transition toward climate neutrality through innovative computational and policy-relevant research. The group is led by Prof. Dr. Falko Ueckerdt, an internationally recognized expert in energy systems and climate impact research, and supported by Dr. David Bancelin in scientific talent and administration. The research group combines cutting-edge computational modelling with interdisciplinary collaboration to explore how energy systems, heavy industries, and societies can transform towards a sustainable future. Key research areas include renewable energy, deep electrification, hydrogen, climate-friendly materials (such as steel and chemicals), and the circular economy. The team maintains strong ties with leading research institutions worldwide, including the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Technical University Berlin, University of Oxford, Monash University, and Tsinghua University, offering opportunities for international collaboration and research stays abroad. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to collaborative code development for complex simulation and optimization models, publish high-impact scientific papers, supervise PhD and MA students, present research at international conferences, collaborate with other research groups, contribute to academic teaching, support third-party funding applications, and communicate research results to industry and policymakers. The position offers a competitive salary starting from €67,000 gross per year, access to high-performance computing infrastructure, flexible working hours, free parking or Climate Ticket Upper Austria, and the option for remote work. Applicants must hold a completed PhD in a relevant discipline (such as computer science, data science, applied mathematics, physics, economics, engineering, environmental/climate/energy science, or related fields) and demonstrate long-term programming experience (Python or R preferred), experience with computational modelling/simulation or research software development (ideally collaborative code development using Git), excellent analytical skills, strong English communication skills (level C1), and a track record of publishing and presenting scientific work. Preferred qualifications include experience with energy systems analysis (e.g., PyPSA), scenario modelling, material flow analysis, integrated assessment modelling, and technical ownership of modelling projects. To apply, candidates should submit their CV (including university and high school grades), a 1-page summary of programming experience (with a link to a personal GitHub account or similar), cover letter, PhD certificate, certificates and transcripts, and 2-3 references. Applications are encouraged from women and non-binary applicants, and the university values diversity and inclusion. For research-related questions, contact Prof. Dr. Falko Ueckerdt at [email protected]; for administrative matters, contact Dr. David Bancelin at [email protected]. Apply online via the portal: https://career.it-u.at/register/95825?referrer=AcademicPositions . This position offers scientific growth, international collaboration, societal engagement, and a supportive working environment at a dynamic and innovative academic institution dedicated to digital transformation and sustainability.