Background
Hydrogen as an energy carrier can play a crucial role in the transition towards a renewable energy system. Its ability to decarbonize various sectors such as transportation, power generation, and energy-intensive industries like chemicals and steel makes it highly valuable. Moreover, large-scale hydrogen storage can address one of the main challenges in the energy transition: intermittency. The intermittency of renewable energy production arises from seasonal variations in light and wind speed. It is very critical especially when combined with fluctuating energy demand throughout the year, which can lead to surplus or deficit of renewable energy.

The Netherlands increasingly considers hydrogen as a key solution to reduce its natural gas dependence and effectively tackle intermittency challenges. As the country actively pursues an economy relying more on hydrogen, it also recognizes the need for hydrogen storage: Without seasonal energy storage, renewable energy alone will not be sufficient to meet the energy demands of the entire hydrogen economy. However, to date, there are no large-scale renewable energy storage facilities in the Netherlands. There are subsurface storage options such as salt caverns, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, and deep saline aquifers with the potential for storing large volumes of hydrogen with high discharge capacities. These would enable the storage of energy in the range of gigawatt-hours (GWh) to terawatt-hours (TWh) for periods ranging from weeks to months. Currently, Dutch hydrogen storage plans are focused on utilizing salt caverns near Zuidwending, operated by Gasunie. However, there have been no discussions regarding sites for hydrogen storage in porous media, such as depleted gas reservoirs. This is mainly due to concerns regarding potential leakage from such storage sites and the negative public perception following societal concerns related to subsurface utilization in the Netherlands, specifically regarding the Groningen gas field subsidence and associated earthquakes. In the meantime, ongoing experiments assess opportunities to make Groningen a key hydrogen hub of the Netherlands, while recent studies confirm that Groningen may play a key role in Dutch hydrogen electrolysis, reaching up to levels of 620 Peta Joules. Exactly in one of the most contested Dutch regions, therefore, pressure on subsurface storage may become high. Assessing opportunities and constraints for hydrogen storage from a risk and societal perspective has become of crucial societal importance for the Netherlands.

We are seeking to recruit a PhD candidate for a comprehensive interdisciplinary project aimed at addressing the research question, "What are the geological, spatial, and socio-economic factors that determine low-risk, high-impact, safe, economic, and sustainable locations for hydrogen storage in the Netherlands?"

Within the project expertise in geological sciences with the socio-spatial dimensions on the hydrogen debate are synthesised to explore energy justice considerations and develop frameworks and models that will help decision makers.

The main objectives of the project will be to

- Develop a standardized hydrogen storage risk evaluation protocol to identify the risk levels of potential storage sites.
- Analyze socio-spatial characteristics of potential storage sites, including public perception, land use, and energy justice considerations.
- Employ multi-criteria optimization models to identify a portfolio of storage locations that minimize cost and risk while maximizing sustainability.
- Contribution to teaching is expected.

Organization
The University of Groningen has an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative centre of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 35,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, we are truly an international place of knowledge.

At the University of Groningen, Faculty of Spatial Sciences (FSS) has a strong position in geography, demography and spatial planning. FSS is also well-embedded in a wider range of disciplines, such as social, political and technology sciences. Our vision is of a society that is spatially transformed in ways that allow for high levels of wellbeing and innovation. Our mission as a faculty is to undertake and disseminate, via research and teaching, world-leading and highly distinctive research which helps to realize this vision. FSS employs about 100 academic staff members, who on average commit about 40% of their time to research. In addition, FSS has over 100 PhD candidates, and about 1100 students. We are a cohesive Faculty committed to internationally-oriented, interdisciplinary research of high societal relevance with our new research programme TRACE (Transformations, Communities, Environments).

The successful applicant will hold a relevant MSc degree in geoscience, environmental sciences, geography, engineering, data analysis or a related field. Strong analytical and research skills, with an affinity for modelling or multi-criteria optimization are preferred, and experience in GIS, socio-spatial methods or risk assessment is welcomed.

Due to the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the project, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the desire to work in a diverse and interdisciplinary environment, are an essential requirement.

Equal opportunities
We are acutely aware that we are a diverse society and not every talented student will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore pledge to fully account for any particular circumstances that the applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process that does not rely purely on common research metrics.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

The successful candidate will be offered, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- A full-time (1.0 FTE) position for four years.
- A salary of € 2,872 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,670 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week.
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
- An 8.3% year-end bonus.
- A position for four years; first, you will get a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years; extension of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year so that successful completion of the PhD thesis within the contract period is to be expected.

A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and training will be tailored to the candidate. The candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Faculty of Spatial Sciences and will be supervised by an interdisciplinary team with co-supervisors from Faculty of Science and Engineering and Faculty of Economics and Business.

Candidates are expected to start preferable before January 1, 2025.

Prof. dr. Chris Zuidema
c.zuidema@rug.nl

Dr Johannes Miocic
j.m.miocic@rug.nl