Master Thesis - Comparative Assessment and Integration of Cross-Sectoral Material Flow Data for Critical Raw Material Analysis in Energy Transition

Your Job:

The aim of your work is to identify and compare available data sources on cross-sectoral material flows and critical raw material demand, evaluate their suitability for energy system modeling, and demonstrate their application in exemplary analyses. The focus lies on methodological consistency, coverage of relevant sectors (e.g., industry, energy, mobility), and usability for model-based analyses in the context of the energy transition. For this purpose, you will develop a combined data basis from the most suitable sources (e.g., Exiobase, MFA studies, etc.) and carry out exemplary calculations of cross-sectoral raw material demand. Your analysis will be conducted using the institute’s in-house energy system framework FINE: https://github.com/FZJ-IEK3-VSA/FINE

Specifically, you will work on the following tasks:
• Research, comparison, and evaluation of several cross-sectoral material flow data sources (e.g., Exiobase, material flow analyses, input-output tables) with regard to data quality, methodological foundations, and model compatibility
• Identification of consistent and combinable datasets for capturing critical raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and rare earths in relevant sectors
• Development and evaluation of strategies for efficient resource use and modeling of alternative pathways to address material constraints in support of a robust and sustainable energy transition

Your Profile:

• Very good academic records in your master studies in the field of energy technologies, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, physics, or a comparable field
  
• Basic knowledge in the fields of energy system analysis, renewable energy systems or thermodynamics or comparable
  
• First experience in optimization or statistics is advantageous
  
• Knowledge of an object-oriented programming language (e.g., Python, Matlab) and MS Office
  
• Analytical and structural thinking
  
• Interest in energy system analysis and future technologies
  
• Fluent language skills in written and spoken English or German
  

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 support you in your work with:

• An interesting and socially relevant topic for your thesis with a future-oriented topic
  
• You will work at one of the ten best rated employers in Germany
  
• A pleasant working environment within an international team in one of the most prestigious research facilities in Europe
  
• You will be remunerated, supported by top-end scientific and technical infrastructure as well as closely guided by experts
  
• Flexible working time and the option for working in home office
  
• You will have the opportunity to work with keen researchers from various scientific fields and be part of designing the future energy system
  

The position is for a fixed term of 6 months.

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

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.

Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality