Postdoctoral Position in Process & Energy Systems Modeling

h3Postdoctoral Position in Process Energy Systems Modeling /h3 h3100%, Zurich, fixed-term /h3 pThe 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 utilization, geologic CO2 sequestration, subsurface energy and fluid storage, direct lithium extraction from brines, and coupled surface-subsurface systems. /p h3Project background /h3 pWe are seeking a bProcess Energy Systems Modeling Engineer/Scientist /b to strengthen our group as a bPostdoc /b in physics-based numerical modeling, 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. /p pA core focus of this position is the bco-development of an open-source power plant and wellbore flow simulator /b 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 utilization and sequestration, direct lithium extraction, and natural hydrogen systems. /p pbThis unique hybrid role spans the entire development chain: /b 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 optimization. /p h3Job description /h3 ul liPhysics-Based Modeling Tool Development: Formulate, implement, and maintain numerical models and custom scientific modeling software for energy and process components, such as heat exchangers, expanders, turbines, pumps, compressors, separators, condensers, piping networks, and wellbores /li liSystem Simulation Optimization: Simulate, optimize, and analyze integrated energy conversion systems, including geothermal power plants, binary/Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC), flash steam systems, thermal utilization networks, CO2 compression/injection facilities, and process streams /li liTechno-Economic Assessment: Integrate physical process models with economic calculations to evaluate project viability, estimating Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), Levelized Cost of Heat (LCOH), Levelized Cost of Lithium (LCOL), equipment cost estimation (cost correlations, cost-index scaling, CAPEX/OPEX), net present value (NPV), and sensitivity analyses /li liCoupled 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 /li liScientific 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 /li /ul h3Profile /h3 pbRequired Qualifications Experience /b /p ul liEducation: PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Computational Engineering, or a related engineering field /li liCore Engineering Physics: Strong technical grounding in engineering thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and energy conversion systems /li liNumerical Modeling 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 /li liEngineering 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?”) /li /ul pbDesired Experience Additional Assets /b /p ul liProfessional Experience: Relevant industry or applied engineering experience in power plant engineering, process plants, or thermal-fluid systems is desirable /li liDomain 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 /li liSimulation Tools: Familiarity with equation-based, thermodynamic, or process simulation environments (e.g., TESPy, Aspen Plus, EES, Julia Modeling Toolkit, or Modelica), and fluid property libraries (e.g., CoolProp, REFPROP) /li liTechno-Economics: Experience in techno-economic modeling, equipment cost correlations, uncertainty analysis, and physical process optimization /li liSubsurface Integration: Understanding wellbore dynamics, multiphase flow, or coupled reservoir-surface infrastructure /li liAdvanced 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) /li /ul pThe ideal candidate is a process modeling 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 specializing in subsurface thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and geothermal power plant systems. /p h3Workplace /h3 h3We offer /h3 ul liInspiring 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. /li liHigh-Impact RD 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. /li liContract 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. /li liAdvanced Infrastructure: Access to world-class computational resources and specialized modeling tools within the Geothermal Energy Geofluids (GEG) group. /li liComprehensive 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 programs through ASVZ. /li /ul pWorking, teaching and research at ETH Zurich /p h3We value diversity and sustainability /h3 pIn 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. /p h3About ETH Zürich /h3 pETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow. /p #J-18808-Ljbffr