Professor of Energy Systems (tenure track or tenured)

The Professor of Energy Systems will lead transformative research to address Estonia’s urgent need for a sustainable and resilient energy transition. This role demands innovative solutions for integrating renewable energy sources—such as solar, wind, and biomass—into a historically fossil-fuel-dependent system while ensuring energy security and affordability. The professor will play a pivotal role in shaping Estonia’s long-term energy strategies, aligning them with EU objectives while addressing the region’s unique geographical, economic, and technological characteristics. This position calls for a visionary leader to redefine energy systems and drive impactful change at a crucial time for the region.

The Professor of Energy Systems shall be responsible for fostering the energy economics research field at the department with the goal to carry out comprehensive analysis among the following topics: 

• global energy trade and electricity market developments;
• energy efficiency and energy chain economics;
• energy security and long-term energy planning;
• international cooperation, legislation and strategic documents in the field of power engineering.

  Professor's responsibilities:

• Lead the research group to enhance competence and address interdisciplinary challenges in science and industry.
• Manage projects in energy economics, electricity markets, and reliability.
• Promote knowledge exchange on EU power engineering regulations and align with EU strategic energy goals.
• Secure high-level research funding and engage in international collaborations.
• Organize and conduct teaching and mentoring for master's and doctoral students in energy economics, markets, and policy.
• Actively involve doctoral and post-doctoral researchers in the group's research and development efforts.
• Advise Estonian policymakers and stakeholders on energy policies and contribute to national energy strategies.
• Collaborate with industry partners to co-develop innovative measures, technologies, and business models.

Additional information: Mart Landsberg, the Head of the Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics, mart.landsberg@taltech.ee. 

A doctoral degree

• A doctoral degree or equivalent in electrical power engineering, energy technology, sustainable energy, energy management, energy economics, IT, or a closely related field.
• Extensive experience in analysing and managing projects in energy systems.
• Strong skills in using energy system modelling software such as TIMES, LEAP, Primes, Balmorel, or similar.
• A strong publication record evidencing impactful and high-quality research in energy systems.
• Recognized expertise in academia, industry, or public sector.
• Proven teaching excellence with at least five years of experience and successful supervision of doctoral theses.
• A track record of securing competitive research funding, amounting to at least €250,000 in the last five years.
• Demonstrated ability to develop course materials and teach in English.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English at an advanced level.
• Familiarity with emerging trends and technologies in energy systems, including digitalization, AI, and machine learning applications in energy markets and systems optimization.

The following gives an advantage when applying for the position:

• Significant experience in one or more application domains, such as conducting long-term analysis of energy systems and markets using modeling, forecasting techniques, predictive analytics, and optimization methods (e.g., rational agents).
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and capability to work with and lead a young, dynamic research team.
• Authorship or translator-editor role of at least one textbook for higher education or an equivalent teaching resource.
• Active membership in an international conference committee.
• Recognition as a prominent and influential spokesperson in their field of expertise.
• Proactive collaboration with other universities to secure research funding.

To apply for the position, please send the following documents in English by 03.03.2025 (the application deadline) at the latest by clicking “Apply Now” on the right:

• A motivation letter.
• Documents proving that the candidate holds the required academic degree and has acquired the required education.
• A curriculum vitae and a list of publications.
• An academic portfolio: a free format evaluation of the academic activity undertaken so far (including a description of teaching, supervising and research project experiences) and the competencies required for work detailing how the candidate meets the qualifications of the position (shall be submitted by an external candidate only) or a motivated self-evaluation regarding compliance with the requirements for the tenured professor position set out in the Academic Career Management Regulation, Annex 3 “Academic Evaluation Matrix” (shall be submitted by a university staff member only).
• A vision or an action plan for the following period of employment (the maximum total length: 1,500 words).
• Any other documents deemed important by the applicant.

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is the flagship in engineering and IT science and education in Estonia, providing higher education at all levels in engineering and technology, information technology, economics, science, and maritime. TalTech’s mission is to be a promoter of science, technology, and innovation and a leading provider of engineering and economic education in Estonia.

The Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics of the School of Engineering is engaged in issues related to electricity production, consumption, transmission and quality as well as research on energy system planning. The Department has 80 employees in eight research groups. In the field of energy systems, the Department has long-term experience in optimisation and economics of energy systems.

The Department offers

• Comprehensive support for establishing and expanding the research group.
• Collaboration opportunities with experts, doctoral students, and post-doctoral researchers.
• A competitive gross salary starting from €50,000 annually.
• Flexible and modern working conditions in an ergonomic environment.
• Access to state-of-the-art teaching and research tools, including software, servers, and laboratories.
• Reimbursement of travel expenses.

TalTech has a green and one of the most compact university campuses in Europe that includes the Tehnopol Tallinn Science Park. Low hierarchy, academic freedom and a balanced work and family life are valued at TalTech. The university provides individual development and training opportunities, material and non-material tokens of acknowledgement, sporting opportunities at TalTech Sports Club and all-staff activities.