The Institute of Networked Energy Systems in Oldenburg and Stuttgart, Germany, develops with its approx. 180 employees, technologies and concepts for future energy supply based on renewable energy sources. The Institute’s three departments – Urban and Residential Technologies, Energy Systems Technology and Energy Systems Analysis – work on system-related issues for intelligent and efficient linking of the electricity, heating and transport sectors. Systems of all sizes and levels are being investigated, ranging from individual installations and “smart” buildings to networked residential districts and cities. The Institute also evaluates energy systems at national and international levels, using its own network-structure-models and technology assessment methods.

The department of Energy Systems Analysis conducts research in the fields of energy meteorology, network and system modelling as well as energy scenarios and technology assessment. In the group of Energy Scenarios & Technology Assessment we conduct multidimensional assessments of energy systems and technologies by investigating ecological, economic, technical and social aspects and combining the results to an overall view that supports decision making.

In the field of aviation, the DLR is investigating novel aircraft concepts for a more sustainable air tranport, e.g. hybrid-electric and hydrogen-based aircraft. Methods such as Life Cycle Assessment are gaining significance in this context. Such methods are however not yet established for aeronautic applications. The requirements for an environmental assessment tailored for aviation will thus be investigated in the context of interdisciplinary projects and corresponding methods shall be developed. The derived Life Cycle Assessment approach shall be tested by means of selected application examples and provide insights for a more sustainable aviation sector.

To gain these insights you will engage in the following tasks:

• You will conduct prospective environmental and economic assessments of innovative aircraft concepts and the associated energy supply.
• You will derive requirements for a Life Cycle Assessment approach tailored for aviation and prepare Life Cycle Inventories e.g. to be stored in respective databases.
• You take part in the selection and extension of assessment criteria and indicators that are suitable for an application in the aviation sector.
• In addition to the content-related work, you will have project management responsibilities.
• You will publish your results in reports as well as in scientific journals and at conferences.
• The supervision of bachelor, master and doctoral theses according to your qualification is possible and desired.
• You shall support the department and group lead in the acquisition of third-party funding.
• You will be responsible for the structuring of project contents and the development of problem-oriented solutions.
• The tasks can be performed as part of a doctorate program.