PhD position energy economics

PhD position energy economics 100% PhD position energy economics 100%

You will conduct research aimed at de
-risking investments in clean energy assets, with a focus on sustainable aviation fuels and PV
-battery systems internationally and in Switzerland. PhD position energy economics 100%

School of Management and Law

October 1st, 2026, or as per agreement

Your PhD work is embedded into projects funded by Swiss Federal Office of Energy. Clean energy infra
-structure, such as electrolysers, CO2
-pipelines, PV
-battery systems etc. are characterised by high up
-front investment cost and risky returns due to uncertain offtake agreements, first
-mover risk, and or cannibaliza
-tion effects in case of growing investment levels. Your work will focus on reducing clean energy investment cost by designing and evaluating financial de
-risking mechanisms for SAF and PV deployment in Switzerland, such as contracts for difference, central procurement models and/ or double
-sided auctions, drawing on international experience and the market design literature.

• Literature review, evaluation of proposed and implemented concepts in other countries
• Developing skills in contract and auction design for investment de
  -risking
• Simulating clean energy investment and dispatch decisions under different contract designs
• Critically analysing simulation results and writing reports and papers

• Master's degree in economics or a related field
• Strong interest in microeconomics
• Knowledge in or passion for energy economics
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with a strong ambition to publish high
  -quality research

[Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW]() is one of Switzerland's largest multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences, with over 15'000 students and 3'400 faculty and staff. ZHAW is committed to gender
-mixed and diverse teams in order to promote equality, diversity and innovation. The [ZHAW School of Management and Law (SML)]() is one of the largest business schools in Switzerland with around 9,500 students. It is the only university of applied sciences in the country that is included in renowned rankings published by the business newspaper