Postdoc in Integrated and Flexible Electricity and District Cooling Networks

AAU Energy invites applications for a full-time, two-year postdoctoral position in Integrated and Flexible Electricity and District Cooling Networks. The position is located at the Aalborg campus and is available from 1 May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. You will join the Section for Electric Power Systems and Microgrids at the Department of Energy and contribute to developing future integrated energy systems that support the green transition. 

Your work tasks
You will be part of ongoing research activities that address the market-driven operation and economic optimization of integrated electricity–cooling systems, with a particular focus on district cooling networks in both greenfield and brownfield urban contexts. The position is closely connected to the SWiM project and contributes to developing methods and tools that support a cost-effective, flexible and sustainable integration of cooling in future energy systems.

Your work will be structured around two strongly interconnected research directions. In the first, you will work with market-driven optimal dispatch of coupled electricity–cooling systems. This includes:

• Modelling, analysis, and optimization of flexible cooling assets and integrated building-level electricity–cooling devices, so that they can participate dynamically in multi-energy markets at both building and district scale.
• You will develop high-fidelity techno-economic models of chillers, heat pumps and thermal energy storage, capturing thermodynamic behaviour, operational limits and flexibility potential. Based on these models, you will work on coordinated integration of cooling systems with electricity grids, renewable generation and storage for coordinated system-level optimization
• You will design suitable business cases and market-oriented dispatch strategies for coordinated operation of electricity–cooling operation.
• Part of the work will involve validating proposed solutions using digital twins and available experimental testbeds.

In the second research direction, you will address the economic optimization of brownfield district cooling systems. Here, you will investigate how existing urban areas can be retrofitted through innovative economic and pricing models.

• You will develop cost-sharing and pricing mechanisms that support the integration of district cooling in built-up districts
• Perform scenario-based optimization of system sizing and capacity expansion strategies, building techno-economic outputs from planning and feasibility studies.
• You will also integrate operational feedback from the market-driven dispatch models into financial, regulatory and policy-oriented tools
• You will contribute to investment and business models that balance energy efficiency, operational reliability and economic viability at both building and district scales

Across both research directions, you will develop and implement advanced optimization models, carry out techno-economic and environmental assessments, and contribute actively to scientific publications in leading journals and at international conferences. You will collaborate closely with international academic partners and industrial stakeholders involved in integrated energy systems and district cooling.

The position is offered in relation to the research group iGRIDS – Intelligent Energy Systems and Flexible Markets, and you will be positioned in the Section for Electric Power Systems and Microgrids at AAU Energy. You will be part of a team that works across disciplines within power systems, energy markets and multi-energy systems and that values close collaboration, regular feedback and joint dissemination activities.

Your competencies
You are expected to bring strong analytical skills, scientific curiosity and a clear motivation to work independently while contributing actively to a collaborative research environment. We expect that you have experience with design and modelling of cooling systems at building or district scale and that you are familiar with methods for performance evaluation of district cooling networks. Experience with techno-economic analysis of district energy systems, including retrofitting strategies in brownfield settings, is considered highly relevant, as is previous work with market-driven operation and optimization of integrated electricity–cooling or multi-energy systems.

In your research, you should be comfortable working with advanced optimization techniques applied to energy system operation and planning. Experience with digital twin modelling and validation of energy system solutions will be an advantage. Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB or similar environments are required, and it will be advantage if you have worked with hardware-in-the-loop testing, co-simulation frameworks or real-time validation environments. Knowledge of energy market mechanisms and innovative business models for flexible energy production and consumption will further strengthen your profile.

On a personal level, we look for a colleague who enjoys contributing to a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, communicates clearly with partners from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and combines independent work with engagement in group activities. We are looking for someone who is scientifically ambitious, constructive in feedback, and willing to contribute to a positive, creative and productive research culture in the iGRIDS group and the wider department.

You must hold a PhD in Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering with a focus on heating and cooling systems, or a closely related discipline. You should have documented experience with scientific publishing in relevant fields, and strong English proficiency at a level corresponding to CEFR C1 or IELTS 6.5 or higher is highly recommended.

Who we are
AAU Energy is a dynamic, internationally oriented research department at Aalborg University, dedicated to developing clean and sustainable energy systems that support the green transition at local, national and European level. Our research contributes to sector coupling, energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy in cities and regions, and we work closely with industrial partners, public institutions and other universities to address real‑world energy challenges.

You will become part of a diverse academic community that attracts researchers and students from many countries and disciplines. Aalborg is a vibrant university city with a strong innovation and energy cluster, good public transport connections and easy access to both urban life and nature. As an employee at AAU Energy, you will be part of a working culture that values openness, trust and collaboration, and that offers a high degree of flexibility and a healthy work–life balance.

AAU Energy is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Aalborg campus. AAU Energy employs around 300 staff members with diverse national backgrounds, including a dedicated team of technical and administrative staff. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will have access to advanced laboratory and workshop facilities and a professional environment that supports innovation, knowledge sharing and continued development of your research profile.

The iGRIDS research group provides a collegial atmosphere with regular group meetings, joint publications, and collaboration across projects and disciplines, giving you an opportunity to shape the research agenda within integrated electricity and cooling systems. Read more about iGRIDS.

As a large, international workplace, Aalborg University have well‑established procedures for welcoming new staff, and you will receive support related to onboarding to the university and to life in Aalborg, including practical guidance on housing, registration and access to university services and social networks. You can learn more about AAU Energy at www.energy.aau.dk. 

Qualification requirements 
Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

How to apply  
Your application must include the following: 

• Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
• Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma) 
• List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications. 
• Documentation of teaching qualifications if relevant.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc. 
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position 
• References/recommendations 

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.    

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.  

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position. 

Do you have any questions? 
If you have questions about the position, you are welcome to contact Professor Amjad Anvari-Moghaddam, aam@energy.aau.dk, phone +45 93 56 20 62.

Further information 
Read more about our recruitment process here   

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.  

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace. 

Salary and terms of employment  
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish). 

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).