PhD Position – Investigating the role of future energy technologies using natural language processing and data science

Your Job:

You will develop approaches for the automated and large-scale provision of energy technology information and apply large language models to collect quantitative information from heterogeneous data sources. The data collected will be processed and semantically annotated using procedures you designed before being transferred to a knowledge graph-based technology database that you help to advance. In exchange with stakeholders from energy research, you will develop methods for data quality assessment that enable a robust selection of technology parameters. Along the FAIR and Linked Open Data principles, you will design interface concepts that enable smooth processing of technology information in the context of scientific software-driven energy system analysis processes. Your tasks in detail:

• Selecting and configuring natural language processing algorithms using state-of-the-art AI technologies as well as applying them to capture information from interdisciplinary literature and related data sources
  
• Automating the preparation and curation of energy technology information
  
• Ensuring the sustainability and continuous expandability of data inventories through the use of innovative knowledge graph structures
  
• Assessing the quality and provenance of alternative technology parameters to support the data selection process
  
• Development of interface concepts for the transfer of technology parameters to open-source energy system model frameworks
  

Your Profile:

• A master’s degree in computer science, data science, natural sciences, economics, engineering, mathematics or a related field of study
  
• Huge interest in data science and energy technologies
  
• Basic knowledge of artificial intelligence and data analysis methods
  
• Programming skills, ideally in Python
  
• Independent and analytical way of working
  
• Reliable and thorough working style
  
• Fluent written and spoken English; German language skills are advantageous
  

Please feel free to apply for the position even if you do not have all the required skills and knowledge. We may be able to teach you missing skills during your induction.

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• A highly motivated working group as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment in one of the largest research institutions in Europe
  
• Participation in an exciting consortium project with top-class partner institutions
  
• Excellent training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and practical insights in questions regarding negative emission technologies within the `Helmholtz Research School for Negative Emission Technologies`
  
• The opportunity to complete a doctoral thesis within 3 years through professional supervision and internal support services; time taken to submit the final thesis for the last 16 doctoral students at ICE-2: 2.7 - 3.4 years
  
• Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
  
• Opportunity to participate in (international) conferences and project meetings
  
• Continuous professional support by your scientific supervisor(s)
  
• Best conditions for successful work in home office
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Opportunity to develop your strengths, e.g. through a comprehensive training programme; a structured programme including continuing professional development and networking opportunities specifically designed for Jülich’s doctoral researchers by the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors (JuDocS): https://go.fzj.de/JuDocs
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed .The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download. Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

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.