Postdoc in Techno-Economic Optimization of Large-Scale Power-to-X Systems

The Center for Life Cycle Engineering (SDU LCE) at the Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), invites applications for a 2.5-year Postdoctoral Researcher position focusing on techno-economic optimization and feasibility assessment of integrated Power-to-X systems.

Starting date: June 1st, 2026

Job Description

The position is part of SDU LCE’s strategic research agenda on sector coupling, net-zero energy systems design & analysis, and integrated Power-to-X systems. The postdoc will lead advanced modelling and techno-economic analyses of large-scale Power-to-X deployment at Nybro (Denmark), a uniquely positioned infrastructure node combining:

• High voltage electricity grid access
• Existing and largely expanding biogas production
• Natural gas pipelines 
• Oil pipeline from the North Sea to refinery
• Planned hydrogen pipeline
• Potential future CO2 infrastructure

The location represents a rare opportunity to develop a multi-vector Power-to-X hub, integrating electricity, gas, hydrogen, CO2, and liquid fuels infrastructure. The project focuses on:

• Techno-economic optimization of renewable methane production via hydrogenation of biogas.
• Renewable syncrude production via gas-to-liquid technologies. A focus will be on promising new hybrid bio-electro technological pathway in collaboration with a world leading industrial technology provider. 

The postdoc will evaluate not only technical feasibility and system performance but also:

• Business case competitiveness
• Market scenarios for renewable methane and syncrude
• Industrial symbiosis potential
• Socio-economic impacts and regional job creation

SDU Life Cycle Engineering

The successful candidate will be affiliated with SDU Life Cycle Engineering (SDU LCE) at the University of Southern Denmark’s main campus in Odense. Odense is a fast-growing international city with an open Scandinavian culture and affordable living costs. SDU LCE is a rapidly expanding research center with a strong international profile in net-zero transition and sustainable energy systems. The center conducts cutting-edge research on integrated energy system design, extending beyond traditional energy systems to include CO2 management, land-use constraints, sustainable biomass utilization, sector coupling, and CCUS integration. SDU LCE is primarily externally funded and actively engaged in numerous strategic research projects supported by the EU, national innovation programs, private companies, and NGOs. Within SDU LCE, the research group focusing on net-zero transitions, renewable integration, defossilization of energy systems, CO2 infrastructure development, biomass availability, and sector coupling is experiencing significant growth. The group combines techno-economic modelling, system optimization, and infrastructure planning to address real-world decarbonization challenges at regional, national, and international levels.

For more information about SDU LCE, please visit www.sdu.dk/lifecycle.

Profile and Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a PhD in Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field, and strong expertise in techno-economic assessment of Power-to-X technologies. The successful candidate will take a leading role in developing and applying integrated techno-economic optimization models for renewable methane and renewable syncrude production. The work will involve:

• Designing and optimizing Power-to-X pathways, including biogas hydrogenation and Fischer–Tropsch-based syncrude production
• Developing block flow diagrams, CAPEX/OPEX models and conducting sensitivity and market scenario analyses
• Determining optimal conditions considering both component- and system-level optimizations
• Assessing infrastructure interfaces (electricity grid, gas pipelines, hydrogen pipelines, and crude oil transport)
• Evaluating sector coupling benefits, revenue stacking opportunities, and socio-economic impacts
• Publishing high-impact scientific articles and contributing to research proposal development
• Engaging with industrial and infrastructure stakeholders
• Co-supervising master and PhD students

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong experience in techno-economic modelling and system optimization
• Solid understanding of Power-to-X technologies (both component and system levels)
• Ability to work independently and lead scientific tasks
• A strong publication record relative to career stage
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Programming skills (preferably Python) and experience with optimization frameworks will be considered an advantage
• Experience with infrastructure modelling, energy market analysis, or industrial symbiosis assessment will be considered an advantage.

Conditions of Employment

Employment will be based on the terms specified in the labor market agreement, and the salary is negotiable. For further information regarding the position, please contact Associate Professor Hossein Nami at tel.: +45 52751924, email: hon@igt.sdu.dk.

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support. 

About the team

The postdoc fellow will work in the SDU Life Cycle Engineering (SDU LCE) center at the Department of Green Technology. The main supervisor will be Associate Professor Hossein Nami and co-supervision will be provided by Professor Henrik Wenzel.

Application 

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply. 

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and the application must 

include:  

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.  
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and an official English translation).   
• Complete list of publications. 
• Publications most relevant to the position. 
• Summary and documentation of experience in teaching, if relevant to the position.  

 All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.  

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).  

The application deadline is March 31st, 2026 at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST).  

Assessment and selection process 

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. 

Read about the Assessment and selection process.   

Conditions of employment 

Appointment as a postdoc is temporary for an initial 2.5-year period, and the preferred start date is from June 1st, 2026. 

Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described therein. 

Further information on salary and taxation. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”. 

The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s). 

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.  

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.