Research Associate in Transportation Systems Planning and Operations Research (f/m) - Ref: 26-34

The Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

is recruiting a

Research Associate (Post-doc, f/m) in Transportation Systems Planning and Operations Research

• Ref: 26-34
• Contract type: 14-month, full-time fixed-term employment contract (40hours/week)
• Department: Urban Development and Mobility (UDM)
• Workplace: Belval (Luxembourg)
• Start date : As soon as possible
• Deadline: October 31st, 2026

Project description

The ENER-G (Empowering Networks of E-buses for Resilient and Green mobility) project is an FNR-funded 3-year research project (2026-2029) that is a collaboration between LISER and the University of Luxembourg, in particular MobiLab, led by Prof. Francesco Viti. The project aims to develop integrated planning and decision-support tools to help bus operators and energy stakeholders deploy electric buses economically, reliably, and with greater use of renewable energy (photovoltaic (PV)), Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and the potential of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies. It addresses three decision horizons: long-term fleet and infrastructure planning; day-ahead vehicle, charging, and energy scheduling; and real-time operations under trip delays and renewable-energy uncertainty. A further innovation is the development of game-theoretical and optimization-based incentive mechanisms that align the objectives of public transport operators and energy actors. The models, algorithms, and decision-support tools will be validated through Luxembourg case studies using operational and open data, with support from Luxembourg energy company ENOVOS and bus operator Sales-Lentz.

Your role

In this context, the successful candidate will have the following missions:

• Develop real-time optimization models and algorithms for V2G-PV-BSS operations under uncertainties;
• Develop dynamic incentive models and algorithms to support the grid services;
• Collaborate with the research team to develop research software for realistic Luxembourg case studies;
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners, and publish the research in high-quality international journals, and present the results at international conferences.

Your profile

• Ph.D. degree in transportation systems engineering, operations research, computer science, energy systems, or another relevant field;
• Strong knowledge in mathematical optimization and algorithm design, or software development;
• Demonstrated competences in transportation systems modelling and simulation; knowledge of public transport, electric mobility, or integrated transport-energy systems would be an asset;
• Strong scientific programming skills and experience in developing simulation or decision-support tools;
• A good publication record and the ability to conduct independent research;
• Excellent written and spoken English and strong communication and collaboration skills.

LISER particularly encourage female researchers to apply

What we offer

• A dynamic and international research environment with attractive working conditions and a stimulating work environment;
• Flexibility in the organisation of the working hours and the possibility of teleworking;
• Competitive remuneration according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement in force (half of a 13th month salary, meal vouchers, etc.);
• Investment in career support and development (trainings, seminars, participation to international meetings and conferences);
• 32.5 days of annual leave for a full-time contract.

How to apply

Please submit your complete application in English via our online platform https://jobs.liser.lu/jobs  including the following documents before October 31st, 2026 :

• Curriculum vitae;
• Cover letter detailing your expertise and interest in the position;
• Recent piece of research;
• Copy of your PhD diploma;
• Two reference letters (to be uploaded with the application documents or sent separately to recruitment@liser.lu).

Deadline to submit applications: October 31st, 2026

Would you have any work-related question, please contact Dr. Tai-Yu Ma at tai-yu.ma@liser.lu.

For administrative matters, please contact Mrs. Vanya KIROVA at recruitment@liser.lu

Why LISER

LISER is a publicly funded research institute located in Luxembourg and dedicated to applied empirical research in economic, social and spatial sciences. The Institute attracts top researchers from all over the world and high-level student training is a vibrant part of the Institute’s activities. LISER staff consists of approx. 200 employees, about 60% of the staff being researchers; mainly from the fields of economics, geography and sociology. The vision of the institute is to be a socio-economic research institute internationally recognised, focused on scientific excellence and societal impact, able to contribute through multi-disciplinary and intersectoral research, in an active and inclusive way to a sustainable and inclusive society at national and international level.

The institute is located on the new Belval campus in the south of Luxembourg (Cité des Sciences, Luxembourg), which hosts the University of Luxembourg and a substantial part of the country’s publicly funded research facilities, i.e. LISER, the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) cross-national data centre, the Luxembourg institutes of Health (LIH) and of Science and Technology (LIST). Information on research in Luxembourg is accessible via the national EURAXESS platform.