Student Assistant "Modeling and simulation of climate-neutral industrial and thermal processes"

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg is the largest solar energy research institute in Europe. Our approximately 1400 employees are working for a sustainable, economic, safe and socially just energy supply system based on renewable energies. We contribute to this with our research priorities of energy supply, energy distribution, energy storage and energy use. We are shaping the sustainable transformation of the energy system through outstanding research results, successful industrial projects, company spin-offs and global collaborations.

Our department offers R&D services for the evaluation and optimization of climate-neutral industrial processes and high-temperature storage. Storage technologies are crucial for the energy transition. We use simulations and experiments to develop innovative high-temperature storage, power-to-heat systems and thermodynamic cycles. We optimize their integration into industrial plants to ensure climate-neutral implementation for the end user.

As part of current research projects, we are investigating how low-cost renewable energy can be integrated into different industrial sectors. What kind of storage is needed for this? When do they need to be charged and discharged? How much flexibility is there in the process itself? How do existing concepts need to be adapted when proven but inefficient fossil-fueled processes are no longer the solution? To find solutions, we use our ColSim software to perform dynamic, high-resolution system simulations.

In this context, we are looking for several students to support the modeling and techno-economic evaluation and optimization of

industrial processes and plants
thermodynamic cycles and turbomachinery
thermal storage, electric direct heating and power-to-heat systems
electricity price-adapted flexibilization

For our department "High-Temperature Solar Thermal Energy and Industrial Processes" we are looking for a student assistant to work on one or more of these topics as soon as possible. Additionally, there is the opportunity to explore these topics further within the framework of an internship or as the basis for a thesis.

What you will do

You will work with our team of scientists to use and further develop our in-house software ColSim for simulation studies. This means that you will:

build and extend various simulation models for industrial processes and plants, thermodynamic cycles and turbomachinery, thermal storage and controllers.
Map material and energy flows in production systems.
evaluate simulation results and validate your implementations.
conduct techno-economic parameter and optimization studies.
use object-oriented and modular programming (C++/Python) and document your models and code.
collaborate on future publications.

What you bring to the table

You are studying engineering, physics, computer science or a comparable subject.
You are interested in the decarbonization of energy and industrial processes
You are interested in research into the hybridization of renewable energies, the performance of power plants and energy economics.
You have previous knowledge in the field of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
You have programming experience (C++, Python) and are willing to expand your skills in this area.
You have a very good command of English.
You can work both in a team and independently on assigned tasks.
You enjoy working creatively and contribute your own ideas and suggestions for improvement to the team and the project.

What you can expect

Exclusive insight: By working together with the scientists in our unit, you will gain insights into the day-to-day research and development work at a research institute.
Research mix: We offer you the opportunity to combine experimental work with theory, thus applying and expanding the knowledge you gained during your studies.
Supervision: You will be supervised by scientists during your work and receive feedback on your progress.
Teamwork: You will gain experience in working in a team with our scientific and student staff and can contribute the experience you have already gained.
Working hours and location: We offer you the opportunity to flexibly adjust your working hours to your needs and to work from home from time to time.
Equal opportunities: We value equal opportunities and embrace diversity.
After work: Celebrate yourself and your colleagues at after-work events or our annual employee parties.

The remuneration of a student assistant depends on the level of the university degree. The monthly work time should be 20 - 80 hours.
In addition to a thesis, an employment contract as a student assistant can be concluded.
An allowance is paid for the internship. The internship should be full-time.

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

Interested? Apply online now (including CV, cover letter and, if applicable, certificates/proof of performance). We look forward to getting to know you!

Questions about this position will be gladly answered by:

Dr. Peter Schöttl Tel.Nr: +49 (0) 761 4588-5732

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

www.ise.fraunhofer.de

Requisition Number: 78943 Application Deadline:

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