Would you like to contribute to cutting-edge research on the future of batteries and photovoltaic systems within the Swedish national competence centre for solar electricity (SOLVE)?
Dalarna University is in the midst of an exciting journey of transformation. The university has a brand-new campus in Borlänge, with 13,000 square metres designed to meet the needs of staff and students by providing an attractive workplace and study environment. In line with the university’s strategy, extensive development work has been carried out to prepare the organisation for the future, with sustainability as a key focus area. The university is part of the national competence centre for solar electricity (SOLVE).
Dalarna University has conducted solar energy research for more than 40 years and established its Master’s programme in Solar Energy Engineering as early as 1999. Today, energy-related research is carried out within the Sustainable Energy Research Centre (SERC), a multidisciplinary centre focusing on energy systems and the built environment. The research is system-oriented, applied, and conducted in close collaboration with industry partners and public sector organisations. For more information, see: https://www.du.se/SERC
The Swedish Solar Electricity Research Centre (SOLVE) was established as a strategic partnership between Sweden’s solar research community and a broad network of committed actors from the public and private sectors. The centre’s shared vision is to increase the impact of solar energy in Sweden through smart and well-designed integration in cities, on land, and within the energy system, contributing to the achievement of sustainability goals. For more information, see: https://www.uu.se/forskning/solve
Your working day as a PhD student
In this position, you will contribute to the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in photovoltaic (PV) systems, considering both operational performance and sustainability aspects. The overall aim of the project is to support the broader adoption of these technologies in buildings and electricity grids.
This PhD project is a collaboration between Dalarna University, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) in Norway, and several companies within the sector. The project, therefore, has a strong focus on the Nordic and European context.
Your work will include both experimental and simulation-based activities, providing you with the opportunity to work with real BESS–PV systems. From an experimental perspective, you will develop monitoring and data acquisition protocols and implement practical solutions to assess and improve system performance.
As part of the project, you will apply advanced data analysis methods to analyse the operation of BESS–PV systems, investigate their performance, and assess their potential to support the continued integration of PV technologies in buildings and electricity grids.
Since the large-scale deployment of these systems will have impacts beyond technical performance, you will also evaluate their broader sustainability implications. This includes assessing environmental, social, and economic aspects using methodologies such as Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). LCSA is a standardised scientific approach used to quantify the impacts of products and technologies throughout their entire life cycle.
As the project involves collaboration between research institutions in Sweden and Norway, you will have the opportunity to visit and work with partner institutions, contributing to the development of research collaborations across the Nordic region.
You will also collaborate with other doctoral students within the SOLVE competence centre. The centre will offer dedicated doctoral courses that you will attend together with other PhD students involved in SOLVE.
The doctoral student position is full-time and time-limited in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance. The position will start as soon as possible, by agreement, and is located at the School of Information and Engineering at Campus Borlänge.
As a doctoral student, you will belong to the Department of Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Economics (SITE) at Dalarna University and conduct your research within the Sustainable Energy Research Centre (SERC). You will be formally admitted to the Doctoral Programme in Resource-Efficient Built Environment, specialising in Energy Systems in the Built Environment.
Are you the person we are looking for?
Only applicants who are accepted, or have been accepted, to a postgraduate programme at a university can be employed as doctoral students. Basic eligibility for doctoral education is granted to those who have:
- completed an advanced-level degree,
- completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at an advanced level, or
- acquired essentially equivalent knowledge through other means, either within or outside the country.
Formal requirements
- Completed an advanced-level degree in engineering or natural sciences, with energy as a central subject and relevance to the area of resource-efficient built environments, or equivalent knowledge. In the case of a foreign degree, an individual assessment will be carried out.
- Completed a degree project at an advanced level with a passing grade within the degree described above.
- Good ability to communicate orally and in writing in English.
Meritorious
The following is considered advantageous:
- Experience with or knowledge of battery energy storage systems (BESS), photovoltaic (PV) systems, or related energy technologies.
- Experience with experimental work, data analysis, and programming.
- Experience with energy systems modelling, simulation tools, machine learning, or sustainability assessment methods.
Personal characteristics
You should have a strong sense of initiative and be able to work independently, both practically and theoretically. Good analytical and creative skills are important, as well as a strong interest in acquiring new knowledge. We are looking for someone who is a good team member, contributes actively to a collaborative research environment, and values knowledge sharing and cooperation with colleagues. You will be expected to collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders within SOLVE, as well as actively engage with other PhD students and researchers.
Assessment criteria
In this recruitment, the university will consider the person who, after a qualitative overall assessment, is deemed to have the best conditions to fulfil the duties of the position.
Other
Högskolan Dalarna operates on two campuses, Falun and Borlänge. This position is at our campus in Borlänge.
Application documents
Your application must include:
- One-page motivation letter
If you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact [email protected].
Welcome with your application!
You apply via our website no later than 2026-09-20.
We refrain from any contact with advertising vendors. We have made our strategic choices for this recruitment.
Contacts:
Anders Forsman
Department Head,
[email protected]
André Augusto
Professor of Energy Engineering
[email protected]
