A Researcher in Life Cycle Sustainability and Techno-Economic Assessment of Hydrogen Technologies

Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) is a private research institution devoted to excellence in research in numerous disciplines and designated to the role of keeping the Autonomous Province of Trento in the mainstream of European and international research. Each research area is assigned to a specific research center, for a total of twelve. Information regarding the research centers, their activities and production is available at http://www.fbk.eu/research-centers.

Workplace 

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (SE) supports the development of efficient devices and methods for generating, storing, and distributing energy solutions with low environmental impact. This is achieved by taking an energy sustainability approach that respects the environment and quality of life, while minimising health and environmental pollution. The ground for the Centre on "Sustainable Energy" is based on the Decarbonization targets, which will require more flexibility in the energy system through new gas and power grids, using energy vectors and storage solutions to enable the broad penetration of renewable energy sources.
The HYdrogen Technologies and Resilient Energy Systems unit (HyRES) is a dedicated research and development unit at the forefront of advancing hydrogen technology and resilient energy systems. With a primary focus on hydrogen, the unit works diligently to innovate the future energy grid, making it more intelligent and capable of integrating renewable sources.  A central goal is to ensure energy resilience and security, particularly in collaboration with industrial partners. The unit's research encompasses various aspects, including hydrogen production, storage and end uses, all with the overarching aim of reducing the carbon footprint of energy systems and positively impacting the energy market, making it more sustainable and secure for the future. 
The HYRES unit is involved in several European, national and industry-funded projects concerning hydrogen technologies, including the characterisation of low- and high-temperature fuel cells and electrolysers, energy system modelling, techno-economic assessment and sustainability analysis.

FBK actively seeks diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is also committed to promoting gender equality. To promote the inclusion of disabled staff as per law 68/99, the Foundation is available and interested in evaluating the applications received for technical-scientific domains that do not correspond exactly to this call.

Job Description

The HyRES Unit is seeking a researcher to join its modelling and engineering activities, with a focus on the sustainability and techno-economic assessment of hydrogen technologies and hydrogen-based energy systems.
The successful candidate will contribute to the following tasks: 

  • Conduct techno-economic analyses and feasibility studies of hydrogen technologies, integrated energy systems and industrial applications;
  • Develop and apply economic models considering investment costs, operating costs, technology performance, energy prices, financing assumptions and relevant market conditions;
  • Perform cost, scenario, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses to assess the economic viability of different technological configurations and operating strategies;
  • Conduct Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Cost and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of hydrogen technologies and systems;
  • Support the development of a database for techno-economic and LCSA parameters of hydrogen technologies;
  • Contribute to activities concerning hydrogen certification and definition of Guarantees of Origin;
  • Support the application of ecodesign methodologies to hydrogen technologies, identifying opportunities for reducing the environmental impact;
  • Produce technical reports, project deliverables and scientific publications, and contribute to the preparation of research proposals.


Job requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

  • MSc in Energy, Chemical, Mechanical, Environmental Engineering or similar;
  • Proven experience in techno-economic assessment and feasibility analysis of energy technologies, preferably in the hydrogen sector;
  • Experience in developing cost and economic models, including scenario, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses;
  • Know-how in code development for techno-economic analysis (depreciation, etc..), applied to hydrogen systems and components;
  • Knowledge and experience in  Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Costing and Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment methodologies;
  • Experience in collecting, managing and validating technical, economic and environmental data:
  • Good modelling practices, attention to detail and commitment to model verification and validation;
  • Good knowledge of written and spoken English.
  • Good analytical, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills;
  • Self-motivation and result orientation.

Furthermore, the following elements will be positively evaluated:

  • PhD in the field related to the call;
  • Familiarity with Python or other programming languages for data analysis and modelling;
  • Experience with hydrogen technologies, energy-system modelling or optimisation;
  • Know-how in code development for LCA/LCSA applied to H2 systems and components;
  • Experience in European or national research projects and scientific publishing.

Employment

Type of contract: fixed-term contract
Working hours: Full time (38 h per week)
Start date: October 2026
Duration: 24 months with the possibility of extending the contract depending on funding
Workplace: Povo (Trento) and Rovereto
Gross annual salary: From €41.245,00 to €47.182,01 depending on background and expertise in the field, plus objectives achievements bonus
Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities and for research in accommodation, accommodation etc., supplementary pension and health fund, social security (SANIFONDS), family-work balance, free training courses, support on bank account opening, discount on public transport, sport, language course fees, counseling and psychological support service. More info at https://www.fbk.eu/en/work-with-us/

Application

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by completing the online form (https://jobs.fbk.eu/). Please make sure that your application contains the following attachments (in pdf format):

  • Detailed CV including relevant past experiences (as an attached document in PDF format);
  • Cover Letter (explaining your motivation for this specific position).

Application deadline: 31/08/2026

Please read our Recruitment Regulations before completing your application.

For further information or technical issues regarding the application, please contact the People Innovation for Research Department  at jobs@fbk.eu.