Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Groningen Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG)

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1 1 Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Groningen Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG) Profile report: Energy Informatics and Modeling Discipline: Energy systems and industrial ecology Level: Assistant professor (tenure track UD) Fte: Vacancy The position has been approved by the Faculty Board and is embedded in the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMNS) of the University of Groningen (RUG). The successful candidate will join the Energy Systems and Industrial Ecology group (IVEM) chaired by prof.dr.ir. Gerard P.J. Dijkema. 2. Short description of the research Area Keywords for the area of research is "Energy Informatics and Modeling" to inform the energy transition to a low-carbon society. We have created a huge legacy energy system, which spans from the extraction of fossil resources and uranium to the harvesting of renewable sources; from thermal power plants and cogeneration via transmission grids, distribution grids to industrial and household consumers; electricity, gas and heat distribution grids increasingly accommodate distributed generation. There is large pressure for this system to transition to a more sustainable configuration. A major challenge is to understand in detail where we are at now, and what types of desirable development pathways we may be able to follow while navigating the interplay of economic, environmental and social concerns. This translates into two specific needs. First, to understand these complex systems, we need large amounts of data that can adequately characterize the functioning and performance of these systems. With this comes the requirement for new types of data management and data analysis techniques. This area of research is Energy Informatics, which operates at the intersection of information technology and energy systems science and engineering. The amount of available data is increasing and to effectively utilize it, we need the application and advancement of ICT, Open Source Software, Open Data, Big Data, Machine Learning and the Semantic Web. Each of these represents tremendous opportunities and new challenges in research. Some themes for research in Energy Informatics are how to create and foster energy data exchange, information collaboration and the development of a data- and model ecologies? How to liberate and make data accessible, verifiable, curatable? What barriers and opportunities do (open) energy data sets and real-time energy data present? What about linkage and use of spatially explicit data, and its use in energy systems evaluation, planning and scenario studies? Second, once we have the data, we need simulation techniques and models that allow us to use it as a template to understand the dynamics of our energy systems and to explore how they may evolve given new policy and technology developments. Energy system models must adequately capture and represent the

2 technology, operation, economy and ecology of legacy systems and the implications of novel technologies. Data-driven modelling and research using Living-Labs all call for new approaches, methods and tools to engage with and develop data. Energy informatics will inspire and expand our modelling and simulation capabilities, which requires not only exploration what is possible, but also the development of new methodologies, methods and theory on the use of data, Open Data, Big Data, the Semantic Web etcetera. Energy systems models must enable playing out sufficiently realistic and representative scenarios of energy system development and evolution, while acknowledging their nature as complex adaptive systems. It is clear that top-down optimization does not work for complex global problems, and we must develop and explore techniques such as Agent Based Models that can accommodate models involving multiple actors, each with different objectives and operating under imperfect information. A challenge in energy informatics is how to translate and use Big Data, e.g. from sensors, or data capturing consumer and producer behaviour into models that adequately represent not only the technical but also the social part of energy systems. Furthermore, our capabilities in the domains of energy informatics and modeling co-evolve. Energy data is used to populate models, but also the very availability and accessibility of energy information shapes what we can and cannot do in energy systems modeling. By opening up new opportunities with data, we also open up new opportunities with modeling. Energy information is inextricably linked with energy systems modeling and scenario analysis. Thus, the candidate will contribute to the core of the Chair, with her/his special expertise in the emerging field of "energy informatics and modeling", that will lead to world class, original contributions for these lines of research. Energy information and advancement of its creation, curation and use no doubt will help shape the energy future by informing energy research, energy policy and energy business Local, National and International Position Energy Informatics is a rapidly emerging discipline, at the frontier of interdisciplinary energy systems science where scientists from different (system) disciplines meet and collaborate. Energy informatics the coming years is expected to develop in a similar fashion as bio-informatics. Energy informatics work already has received considerable attention in the Industrial Ecology community (papers published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology), in the Environmental Science community and the energy research community (Journals: e.g. Environmental Modelling and Software, Environmental Science and Technology, Energy Policy, Applied Energy etc.) and in the social simulation community (Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Journal of Artifical Societies and Social Simulation (JASSS) ( ). At various conferences, e.g. ISIE conferences (( and ESSA ( there is attention for the subject; various workshops have been organized (e.g. the series of PhD workshops on Energieinformatik, which already is in its 4 th yearly edition). Energy is a focus area at the RUG, the FMNS and in ESRIG. Close co-operation between ESRIG groups (and associated groups) is mutually beneficial, and therefore highly desirable. Developing research in energy informatics and modeling no doubt will highly contribute to future collaboration and cohesion between the ESRIG groups. Energy transition and energy systems modelling are focus areas of the Energy Systems and Industrial Ecology group (IVEM). This research to inform the energy transition is done by IVEM, which is an interdisciplinary group on energy within ESRIG. IVEM has a long and fruitful tradition in co-operation with groups from other faculties, such as energy law, energy economics, and social psychology. The new tenure track adds to the portfolio of the group (Chair Energy Systems and Industrial Ecology and Special Chair

3 Energy Systems Analysis respectively) and allows for strengthening ties and developing research between ESRIG researchers, in information science and biology. By opening this position it is specifically recognized that in IVEM there is not only research on energy systems, but also on the adoption and advancement of theory, methods and techniques of energy informatics, at the interface of energy systems science, innovation, modelling and data management. In the Energy Academy Europe (EAE) the RUG collaborates with the Hanzehogeschool Groningen (University of Applied Sciences, offering professional education), provincial and municipal authorities and energy companies to establish a firm base for high-level interdisciplinary energy education and research. The EAE provides a high-profile environment and the partnerships with businesses, governments and NGOs provide a platform and interface for participative, collaborative research. The research theme of the new tenure tracker aligns with and may leverage the work of the EAE, as models and data are essential to combine information and knowledge from different disciplines, domains and sources in both research and teaching. The EAE initiated project "Energy Sense" is specifically worth mentioning, as its goal is obtaining both technical and societal data concerning the energy use of a very large (many thousands) group of consumers in the North of the Netherlands. At the national level, IVEM is member of the national research school SENSE (Socio- Economic and Natural Sciences for the Environment), which brings together groups from Wageningen, Free University Amsterdam, Leiden and Utrecht. In the national Energy Delta Gas Research (EDGaR) programme the group collaborates with Delft, ECN, DNV GL and other research institutes. The group has an extensive international network, including links with the Universities of Lund, Gothenburg, Trondheim, Turku, Barcelona, Bremen, Munich, MIT, Yale, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, Keio, NUS and research institutes such as the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Austria and the Wuppertal Institute in Germany Selection Committee Prof. dr. Harro A.J. Meijer, director of ESRIG (Chair) Prof. dr. Petra Rudolf, director Graduate School of Science Prof. dr.ir. Gerard P.J. Dijkema, Chair of IVEM, ESRIG dr. Sanderine Nonhebel, IVEM, ESRIG Prof. Dr. Rien M.A. Herber, Chair of Geo-energy, ESRIG Prof. dr. Catholijne M. Jonker, TU Delft M. Sc. student EES Mrs. Annet van der Woude, HR advice 6. Expected contribution to Research The successful candidate is an excellent scientist who is capable of leading a research group. He/she should be able to establish his/her own line of research of high qualitythe research activities should result in the strengthening of the international position of the research. He/she is expected to assume responsibility for PhD supervision, coaching and development, and is expected to acquire funding.

4 The candidate has an overview of and experience in advancing energy informatics and modeling methods and methodologies. He/she is expected to contribute to the emerging discipline of Industrial Ecology, and help advance how we engage with data, information and models for creating our sustainable future. These include but are not limited to: 4 Developing theory, frameworks, methods and tools for Open Data in energy research Analysing ICT and data developments relevant for energy systems and Industrial Ecology Linking data and models, and contribute to Open modeling and model ecologies for energy systems Spatially explicit energy systems data Hard and soft energy systems data technology, economy, behaviour, markets and policy data and information. The candidate initiates and develops a competitive research programme around addressing informing the energy transition at large, and through energy informatics and modeling in particular, where technology and societal dimensions of socio-technical energy systems are captured. Preferably, the programme interfaces with other research groups in ESRIG and other faculties of the RUG, possibly via the Energy Academy Europe. 7. Expected contribution to Teaching The candidate will lecture in the teaching programmes within the faculty (Bachelor- and Master level), and contribute to Ph.D. student and post-graduate educational programs. Within the EAE framework, the candidate will contribute to courses and to the development of EAE programmes. He/she will assume responsibility for teaching modules and develop new course modules when appropriate. In particular, it is expected the candidate will contribute to bachelor programmes with substantial energyrelated elements, including the track "energy and sustainability" in physics and the intra-university minor programme People, Planet, Profit. At the Master level, the candidate will mainly be involved in the Energy and Environmental Science master programme. This includes the supervision of master students during their final research. He/she will supervise Ph.D. students and act Ph.D. advisor (initially as co-promotor ). 8. Expected contribution to the Organisation The candidate is expected to contribute to the organisation of research and teaching in IVEM, ESRIG and the FMNS. He/she is an ambassador for the group, and contributes and leverages the university-wide "Energy" theme, and the EAE. 9. Career perspective The position will be offered for a period of six years as tenure track researcher according to the document Career Paths in the Sciences ( of the FMNS. The position will be at the level of Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent; UD) according to the actual University Function Ordering (UFO) system and regulations. After five years, the performance of the assistant professor will be assessed according to the criteria as outlined in that document. A negative assessment will result in the termination of the appointment after a total duration of six years. A positive assessment will lead to a tenured

5 appointment and a promotion to adjunct (associate) professor in line with the actual UFO system. An adjunct professor has the ius promovendi, i.e. the legal right to formally complete the supervision of PhD students and is entitled, but not obliged, to run his/her own independent research unit. After another 4-7 years the associate professor may apply for a promotion to full professor 5

6 6 University of Groningen, the Netherlands Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Tenure-track Assistant Professor Energy Informatics and Modelling (100%) Vacancy The organisation The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences provides high quality research and education. The faculty is home to several top research institutes. Furthermore, it offers 14 bachelor's degree programmes and 30 master's degree programmes in Natural Sciences and Technology, Life Sciences and Computing & Cognition. Currently, the faculty has about 4000 students and 1300 staff members. The Faculty is offering young, talented researchers, a tenure track assistant professor position. These staff members are expected to develop their own line of research within a particular field. The faculty s career policy is characterized by flexible personnel management with a focus on the individual. Academic achievements are seen as being central to the academic career, and ample opportunities for professional development and supplementary training and education are offered. Arrangements for training in the area of teaching will be made with all new employees. The policy is directed at increasing the number of women in academic staff positions. Career advancement policies for women will also be improved, and women will be actively encouraged to develop their careers. The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum of 6 years. On completion of 5 years of employment there will be an assessment of performance based on established criteria including research and teaching qualifications. If the outcome of the assessment is positive, the assistant professor will be promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure. At the end of a further 4-7 year period there will be another assessment aimed at a promotion to full professor. Job description The University of Groningen seeks to employ an assistant professor in Energy Informatics and Modeling at the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG). Objective of this area of research is to inform the energy transition to a low-carbon society. This requires advanced data management, models and analysis techniques to characterize the functioning, performance and development of our energy systems. The focus will be at the junction of data and models of our energy systems as complex, socio-technical systems. Energy informatics may enhance our modelling and simulation capabilities, e.g. by using Big Data to capture the behaviour of energy system users,

7 developers, planners and investors, or by devising ontologies to capture energy system innovations. The combination of energy informatics and modelling is anticipated to bring new opportunities and understanding of our energy systems and their development. The position will be embedded in the Energy Systems and Industrial Ecology group (IVEM) of ESRIG. For a full description of the research area, its focus and positioning, see the profile report at : 7 Qualifications This position requires a top candidate with an interdisciplinary background in (1) computer science / information science or artificial intelligence, (2) energy systems, environmental science and sustainability. The candidate must have a PhD in a relevant (inter)discipline, which demonstrates his/her capability to work at the frontiers of interdisciplinary research of energy informatics and modeling. As per the Career Paths in the Sciences requirements, he/she must have international experience and must have conducted post-doctoral research. With respect to research, the candidate must have demonstrated experience in method/methodology development, working in interdisciplinary teams and the execution of third party research. With respect to teaching, experience in teaching and course module development. You will need to have the following qualifications: a Ph.D. degree and at least two years postdoctoral experience abroad (industrial experience can partly compensate this requirement). publications in top scientific journals, international recognition in the field, and experience in supervising research projects the ability to develop your own independent research line and to establish successful international collaborations the ability to obtain external funding for your research. be an inspiring and innovative teacher and supervisor and have a strong commitment to the teaching programmes of the bachelor and master curricula of the Undergraduate and Graduate School of Science willing to fulfill the obligatory requirements for the University Teaching Qualification ( Basiskwalificatie Onderwijs ; BKO). an excellent English proficiency and willingness to obtain a good command in Dutch within several years. Conditions of employment The University of Groningen offers a salary dependent on qualifications and work experience from a minimum of 3,259.- (scale 11) up to a maximum of 5,070.- ( scale 12) gross per month for a full-time position.

8 8 Apply Interested candidates are requested to submit a letter of motivation, a CV (including 5 references), a list of publications, a list of five self-selected best papers (not copies of the papers), a statement on teaching goals and experience, and a brief description of envisioned scientific questions and interests (maximum: 3 pages). Information Detailed information can be obtained from the director of ESRIG, prof.dr. H.A.J. Meijer, h.a.j.meijer@rug.nl or the director of IVEM, prof.dr.ir. Gerard P.J. Dijkema, g.p.j.dijkema@rug.nl Additional information: about the research group: about the institute: about the function: about career paths in science: Please submit your application online before November 1 st, 2014 or send it to: The University of Groningen, Personnel & Organisation Department, P.O. Box 72, 9700 AG Groningen, The Netherlands; address: vmp@bureau.rug.nl