PhD Scholarship in Maximising the Flexibility of Energy Consumption in Ireland (Flexcon)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time funded PhD scholarship for 4 years starting in early 2025 and affiliated to the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at the University of Galway.

University of Galway

Located in the vibrant cultural city of Galway in the west of Ireland, the University of Galway has a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Detailed Project Description:

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Jason Harold (University of Galway) and Dr. Niall Farrell (ESRI), and join a team of energy economists and behavioural scientists from the University of Galway, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Energy Policy Research Centre, and the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit on a project entitled Maximising the Flexibility of Energy Consumption in Ireland (FlexECon). The project will explore aspects of energy consumption and behaviour by leveraging data provided by an energy supplier to identify the extent with which consumers respond to time-of-use pricing, informational signals and their combination. New informational incentives will be examined alongside Time of Use (ToU) tariffs in monitoring and field experiments. In addition, quasi-experimental methods will be employed to identify the effects of separate stimuli on energy consumption as well as the instruments that maximise price responsiveness.

Living allowance (Stipend):

The project is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The PhD stipend is €25,000 per annum and is tenable for 4 years. The stipend is usually a tax-exempt scholarship award.

University fees:

The funding will also cover University fees up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum and is also tenable for 4 years.

Start date: Early 2025

Academic Entry Requirements: The candidate should be highly self-motivated with an ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong quantitative skills and good communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential requirements. Applicants should also have a good primary undergraduate degree (First Class or Second Class Grade One Honours) and preferably hold a Masters in Economics or related discipline. A high level of spoken and written English is required. The candidate should also be willing to undertake the coursework required under the structured PhD programme in Economics at University of Galway.

To Apply for the Scholarship:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, statement of personal research interests, evidence of qualifications (exam transcripts etc.) and the contact details of two referees, to be submitted via e-mail to Dr. Jason Harold.

Please put reference number PhDFlexECon25 in the subject line of the email application.

Contact Name: Dr. Jason Harold

Contact Email: jason.harold@universityofgalway.ie

Application Deadline: Friday 24th January 2025 at 17:00 (Irish time 24hr format)

Primary Supervisor name: Dr. Jason Harold

• Keywords: Economics; Energy Consumption; Demand Response; Energy Prices; Flexibility

Advert information