Industrial Professor - Energy Technologies, Storage, Green Fuels

Industrial Professor - Energy Technologies, Storage, Green Fuels

RTU - Riga Technical University 

in Strategic Collaboration with JSC Latvenergo

Riga, Latvia

The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology at the Riga Technical University invites an Industrial Professor in Energy Technologies and Energy Storage with a strong focus on Green Fuels. The appointment is established in close collaboration with JSC Latvenergo, Latvia's leading energy utility and a key stakeholder in the national energy transition. The position is offered for an initial period of 2 (two) years, with the possibility of extension for up to 6 (six) years, subject to performance and strategic alignment.

Position

We invite applications from candidates at the Associate Professor or Professor level who have demonstrated practical experience in e-fuels and related sustainable fuel technologies, including green hydrogen production, sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF), green methanol, green ammonia, and Fischer-Tropsch-based processes. Relevant experience may include plant operation, process and system modeling, facility design, or technology development, with contributions to materials, process, or equipment-oriented research and innovation.

You bring

The position focuses on the development and analysis of e-fuel production plant models for the Baltic region, leveraging expertise in advanced materials, process and system modeling, and energy-related equipment design. The industrial research agenda is centered on sustainable synthetic fuels, including e-SAF, green methanol, and e-ammonia.

Key research activities include:

• Assessing technology development trajectories, market demand, consumption patterns, and price outlooks for sustainable fuels in Latvia and the wider Baltic region;
• Conduct global competitiveness analysis and identify key barriers to large-scale production and export of e-fuels from Latvia and the Baltic states;
• Evaluate the economic feasibility of a CO₂ pipeline network in Latvia and the long-term competitiveness of e-ammonia production in the region;
• Analyzing and benchmarking alternative technological pathways for the deployment of sustainable fuel production in Latvia, with emphasis on efficiency, scalability, and cost competitiveness;
• Developing integrated plant-level models and simulations to assess system performance, capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating conditions, and the profitability of trade-offs.

About you

• Education level: PhD or equivalent;
• Languages: English proficiency at a minimum of C1 level;
• Demonstrated outstanding academic achievements in green fuels, supported by a strong publication record;
• Proven experience in leading or contributing to research and innovation projects in academic and/or industrial settings;
• Evidence of successful acquisition of externally funded research projects or clear potential to do so;
• Strong pedagogical competence and experience in academic teaching;
• In addition to research excellence, applicants should demonstrate societal engagement and impact, experience in technology transfer, industrial and entrepreneurial activities, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a clear commitment to teaching quality, educational development, and educational innovation.

Application process

To apply for this position, please send the following documents to the Department of People and Organizational Development of Riga Technical University at cv@rtu.lv:

• An application addressed to the RTU Rector on participation in the competition (in free form);
• A cover letter outlining the candidate's vision and the objectives to be achieved;
• A research plan covering the short term (the initial two (2) years) and the long term (up to six (6) years), not exceeding five (5) pages. When preparing the research plan, candidates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Sustainability Governance by JSC Latvenergo;
• A Curriculum Vitae detailing the candidate's research, teaching, and organizational experience, key achievements, professional development, and publications from the past six (6) years, supporting documents may be included as appendices;
• Copies of documents certifying the award of scientific and academic degrees.

Remuneration: up to 6485 EUR/month (gross)

Further information about the position and the working environment may be obtained from Vice-Dean for Research Dmitrijs Stepanovs (dmitrijs.stepanovs_1@rtu.lv).

Deadline is 2 February. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may be filled before the deadline.