Postdoctoral Position in Process & Energy Systems Modeling 100% in Zürich

The Geothermal Energy & Geofluids (GEG) Group is a renowned research unit in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at ETH Zurich in Switzerland investigating subsurface mass and energy transfer processes alongside thermal-fluid energy conversion and process plant systems. We conduct fundamental and applied research addressing societal challenges related to geothermal energy exploration, extraction, and utilisation, geologic CO₂ sequestration, subsurface energy and fluid storage, direct lithium extraction from brines, and coupled surface‑subsurface systems.

Project background

We are seeking a Process & Energy Systems Modeling Engineer/Scientist to strengthen our group as a Postdoc in physics‑based numerical modelling, software development, and engineering analysis of engineered energy and fluid systems, ranging from geothermal power plants to fluid (e.g., water, brine, CO₂, H₂, hydrocarbons) and mineral (e.g., lithium) processing facilities.

A core focus of this position is the co‑development of an open‑source power plant and wellbore flow simulator natively integrated into TANGO, our platform for techno‑economic analysis of a wide range of geoenergy systems, and capable of standalone simulation. Functioning as the engineering counterpart to our geothermal reservoir simulator (RAFT), you will advance this tool, couple it to RAFT and other TANGO modules, and conduct techno‑economic assessments across geothermal direct heat and power plants, district heating systems, CO₂ utilisation and sequestration, direct lithium extraction, and natural hydrogen systems.

This unique hybrid role spans the entire development chain: translating physical thermal‑fluid problems into mathematical models, implementing them into robust engineering and scientific software tools, simulating complex engineering systems, and conducting techno‑economic evaluations. The position complements our existing scientific software team by bringing dedicated expertise in power plant engineering, process technology, thermal‑fluid system design, and techno‑economic optimisation.

Job description

• Physics‑Based Modeling & Tool Development: Formulate, implement, and maintain numerical models and custom scientific modelling software for energy and process components, such as heat exchangers, expanders, turbines, pumps, compressors, separators, condensers, piping networks, and wellbores
• System Simulation & Optimization: Simulate, optimise, and analyse integrated energy conversion systems, including geothermal power plants, binary/Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC), flash steam systems, thermal utilisation networks, CO₂ compression/injection facilities, and process streams
• Techno‑Economic Assessment: Integrate physical process models with economic calculations to evaluate project viability, estimating Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE), Levelised Cost of Heat (LCOH), Levelised Cost of Lithium (LCOL), equipment cost estimation (cost correlations, cost‑index scaling, CAPEX/OPEX), net present value (NPV), and sensitivity analyses
• Coupled Surface‑Subsurface Engineering: Develop and apply computational models for coupled surface‑subsurface fluid flow, heat transfer, and pressure/temperature evolution across surface facilities and wells
• Scientific Software Implementation: Write clean, modular, and reusable scientific code (primarily in Python) following modern development practices, including version control (Git), automated testing, code style/linting, and clear technical documentation

Profile

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Computational Engineering, or a related engineering field
• Core Engineering Physics: Strong technical grounding in engineering thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and energy conversion systems
• Numerical Modelling & Programming: Proven capability in developing physics‑based numerical simulators and models of thermal‑fluid or power plant systems from governing equations, implementing them in scientific/engineering software (preferably Python, using scientific libraries) using version control and testing in a collaborative environment
• Engineering Mindset: A strong passion for both conceptual model development ("How should this system be modeled?") and practical software creation ("How do I build robust numerical tools to solve real engineering problems?")

Desired Experience & Additional Assets

• Professional Experience: Relevant industry or applied engineering experience in power plant engineering, process plants, or thermal‑fluid systems is desirable
• Domain Expertise: In geothermal power generation, ORC cycles, geologic carbon capture and storage (CCS/CCUS), direct lithium extraction (DLE) from brines, or subsurface gas/energy storage
• Simulation Tools: Familiarity with equation‑based, thermodynamic, or process simulation environments (e.g., TESPy, Aspen Plus, EES, Julia Modelling Toolkit, or Modelica), and fluid property libraries (e.g., CoolProp, REFPROP)
• Techno‑Economics: Experience in techno‑economic modelling, equipment cost correlations, uncertainty analysis, and physical process optimisation
• Subsurface Integration: Understanding wellbore dynamics, multiphase flow, or coupled reservoir‑surface infrastructure
• Advanced Computing: Competency in compiled languages (such as C++, Rust, or Julia) and multi‑physics co‑simulation standards (e.g., FMI/FMUs) and Experience in collaborative software development (e.g., Git workflows, code review)

The ideal candidate is a process modelling engineer who translates physics into math, a scientific developer who writes robust code, and an analyst who evaluates technical and economic system performance. In this role, you will both draw from and contribute to the rich multidisciplinary expertise within the GEG Group. This includes collaborating with our dedicated computing team, currently six experts in scientific and engineering computation, AI, and IT, as well as researchers specialising in subsurface thermal‑hydraulic‑mechanical‑chemical (THMC) processes, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and geothermal power plant systems.

We offer

• Inspiring Environment & Impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, consistently top‑ranked globally and ranked Nr. 3 globally in Engineering & Technology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026). The GEG Group is housed within ETH Zurich's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), which has maintained the Nr. 1 spot in Earth & Marine Sciences in QS World University Rankings for over 10 consecutive years. As a climate‑neutral university, ETH Zurich supports your professional development while enabling research that addresses key societal challenges.
• High‑Impact R&D Projects: Direct involvement in the Horizon Europe FlexGeo project and related Swiss and European initiatives, with opportunities for cross‑sector collaboration with process and energy industry partners and opportunity to publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Contract & Compensation: Initially, this is a 1-year contract (employed at competitive ETH Postdoc salary rates with full social benefits as shown here), with a strong likelihood of extension, based on performance.
• Advanced Infrastructure: Access to world‑class computational resources and specialised modelling tools within the Geothermal Energy & Geofluids (GEG) group.
• Comprehensive ETH Perks: Attractive employment conditions with numerous benefits, including generous pension plans, public transport season ticket discounts, car‑sharing options, university childcare, and free/discounted sports programmes through ASVZ.

Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a climate‑neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

Further information about the Geothermal Energy & Geofluids Group can be found on our Website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Chad Baker, (no applications).

We would like to point out that the pre‑selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

Flexible Start Date: January 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

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