Research associate (m/f/d) in the research project 'SPLASH'

<strong>Identifier<br><br></strong><strong># of positions<br><br></strong><strong>Scope<br><br></strong><strong>Salary<br><br></strong><strong>Starting date<br><br></strong><strong>Application deadline<br><br></strong>112623<br><br>1<br><br>50 % (19,35 h)<br><br>EG 13 TV-L<br><br>01.10.2026<br><br>2026-08-02<br><br>In general full-time positions are divisible.<br><br><strong>Professional contact:<br><br></strong>Prof. Dr. Bernd Möller<br><br>bernd.moeller(at)uni-flensburg.de<br><br><strong>Administratrive contact:<br><br></strong>Inken Alsen<br><br>bewerbung(at)uni-flensburg.de<br><br>We offer:<br><br><ul><li>An appreciative and collegial working environment</li><li>Secure salary based on collective agreement</li><li>Flexible working hours, including mobile work option</li><li>Company pension plan</li><li>Options to balance work/family life</li><li>Professional training opportunities</li><li>Free language courses at EUF</li><li>Reduced rates at the university sports center</li><li>Reduced fares for local public transport (Job Ticket)<br><br></li></ul>Europa-Universität Flensburg has an immediate job opening for the following position<br><br>Research associate (m/f/d) in the research project 'SPLASH'<br><br>to be filled on a temporary basis until September 30, 2027, in the research project 'Flexible Power-to-Heat in Municipal Swimming Pools for the Integration of Renewable Energies in Schleswig-Holstein (SPLASH)'.<br><br>The project is called “Flexible Power-to-Heat in Municipal Swimming Pools for Renewable Energy Integration in Schleswig-Holstein (SPLASH).” This project, funded by the Gesellschaft für Energie- und Klimaschutz Schleswig-Holstein (EKSH), explores the potential of over 180 municipal swimming pools in the state of Schleswig-Holstein to act as "thermal batteries" through power to heat (PtH). The duration of the research project is one year starting from October 2026.<br><br>Duties:<br><br>The successful candidate will oversee the project's strategic direction and supervise four dedicated Master’s theses covering the following work packages but not limited to:<br><br><ul><li>Data Acquisition &amp; Profiling: Developing energy baselines and load profiles for SH pools using publicly available databases, survey and interview. </li><li>Willingness assessment: Conducting operator willingness surveys to determine the feasibility of PtH integration. </li><li>Technical Assessment: Evaluating current heating demand, storage capacity and heating technologies. </li><li>Geospatial modelling: For analysing the proximity of swimming pools to local wind/solar farms and existing grid constraints. </li><li>Energy system modelling: To assess the viability to reduce RE curtailment through using swimming pools as energy storage. </li><li>Strategic Roadmap: Synthesizing findings to quantify environmental and economic benefits and creating a state-wide roadmap for implementation, focusing on industrial-scale heat pumps</li><li>The candidate will also be responsible for documentation, reporting and scientific publications for the project collaborating with master students and research coordinators. <br><br></li></ul>Your profile:<br><br><ul><li>Academic Background: Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Systems, Energy Engineering, or an interdisciplinary field combining engineering and social sciences. </li><li>Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of sector coupling (Power-to-Heat) and thermal storage systems. </li><li>Analytical Skills: Experience in data mining, survey design, geospatial analysis (GIS) and energy system modelling and optimisation, preferably using Python and python libraries. <br><br></li></ul><strong>Preferred:<br><br></strong><ul><li>Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills for conducting interviews with pool operators and collaborating with SH grid operators. </li><li>Language: Excellent command in English equitation to C1 and good command in German equivalent to B1. </li><li>Reporting: The candidate must be able to collaborate with multiple research to prepare research articles in English and able to analyse survey and interview data in German. </li><li>Motivation: A deep commitment to solving regional energy challenges and advancing Schleswig-Holstein’s climate goals</li><li>Pathway to qualification: an interest in transitioning to a PhD would be highly welcomed. <br><br></li></ul>Europa-Universität Flensburg seeks to promote employee diversity with respect to the trajectories and competencies of its staff. We explicitly welcome applications from persons with a migration background. Severely disabled applicants with adequate qualifications will be given preference. The university also strives to obtain a balanced gender ratio in all occupational groups.<br><br>EUF expressly renounces the use of CV photographs and kindly asks applicants to refrain from providing one.<br><br>We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal