Artificial Intelligence & Digital Twins for Concentrated Solar Power (EU SUN‑DT Project)

About the project

SUN‑DT (“Smart Use of Novel Digital Tools for advanced performance and reduced costs in CSP tower plants”) is a three‑year Horizon Europe initiative coordinated by The National Renewable Energy Center of Spain (CENER). The consortium is composed of the most prestigious European research centres in the sector together with the most relevant European companies. Over the course of the project four interoperable, AI‑powered tools—HELIOSTATACC, SUN‑DTWIN, D‑OPT and PREDOM—will be matured and field‑tested, and integrated into a single open‑science platform. The digital solutions will be implemented in some of the most relevant test infrastructures in Europe as well as in two commercial tower plants.

The position

• Contract duration: 3 years (full project duration)
• Start date: 1 October 2025
• Location: headquarters of CENER , Pamplona Navarra, Spain (regular travel within Europe and to the demonstration plants)
• Role title: Research Engineer / PhD Candidate – AI & Digital Twins for CSP

You will join the Solar Energy Technologies and Storage Department of, working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with leading industrial and academic teams from across Europe and beyond. The post can be linked 100 % to a doctoral thesis at a Spanish or international university.

Key responsibilities

• Design, code and validate AI models for heliostat control and computer‑vision‑based solar flux measurement
• Integrate algorithms into the shared SUN‑DT platform and ensure interoperability with partner modules
• Analyse large, real‑time data streams from tower plants and apply FAIR data practices
• Participate in on‑site deployment and troubleshooting campaigns at European test towers and commercial plants
• Publish and present results in high‑impact journals, conferences and consortium meetings

Candidate profile

Essential

• Master’s degree (or close to completion) in Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy or similar
• Experience in machine learning, computer vision or digital‑twin development
• Programming skills in Python, modern ML frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow) and C++
• Analytical mindset, creativity, self‑motivation, teamwork and fluent English

Desirable

• Previous research or industry experience in CSP—especially tower technology
• Knowledge of heliostat optics, thermodynamics or power‑plant control
• Familiarity with 5G/IoT architectures or edge‑cloud deployments
• Spanish, language skills

What we offer

• Cutting‑edge research environment at the crossroads of AI, digitalisation and renewable energy
• Fully funded PhD pathway with tuition support and academic supervision
• Secondments to consortium partners and access to iconic CSP facilities
• Flexible working hours and hybrid work.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit their CV, a motivation letter explaining their interest in the position, and, if possible, one letter of recommendation from a professor or an expert in the field to rrhh@cener.com. Indicate subject RESEARCH ENGINEER / PHD CANDIDATE SUN-DT PROJECT.

Deadline: 1 September 2025. Early applications are encouraged; interviews with promising candidates will be conducted be between July and August 2025.

*More information and CV submission: rrhh@cener.com. Indicate subject: RESEARCH ENGINEER / PHD CANDIDATE SUN-DT PROJECT