Doctoral Researcher - Energy Systems Resilience

We're recruiting up to 3 PhD students to work on how Aotearoa New Zealand's future energy system can remain resilient. Projects span national energy-system resilience and local electricity distribution planning.

You'll be based in Christchurch, a safe, affordable, outdoors-oriented city consistently ranked among the world's most liveable. You'll work with Dr Rebecca Peer and Dr Tom Logan at the Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG), University of Canterbury, alongside partners at Urban Intelligence.

The research

Projects will be shaped with successful candidates and may explore multi-hazard and cascading risk, infrastructure interdependencies, future energy scenarios, service-disruption consequences, resilience investment, and decision-making under deep uncertainty.

Depending on the project, you'll focus on the national energy system or on local electricity networks and the communities that depend on them. The work combines quantitative analysis with real-world energy planning alongside sector partners.

What's on offer

· NZD $35,000/year tax-free stipend for 3 years

· All university fees covered

· Performance-based travel budget for conferences and research stays

· A growing, international research community at SERG

What we're looking for

· A degree in engineering, energy systems, applied maths, environmental science, or a related quantitative field

· Strong quantitative/programming skills (Python or similar)

· Experience with optimisation, risk analysis and/or data analysis

· C1+ English

· Genuine interest in climate risk and energy systems. Prior experience is a bonus, not a requirement

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and countries.

Applications reviewed from 1 October, until the positions are filled. Start dates Feb–Oct 2027.