Key Skills

Job Description

About The Company Zonneplan is a forward-thinking energy company committed to creating a sustainable future by eliminating fossil energy dependence in the Netherlands. Our mission, known as plan Zero, aims to achieve zero emissions, zero waste, and zero reliance on fossil fuels. We specialize in innovative energy trading and optimization, leveraging cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies to make the energy grid smarter, cleaner, and more efficient. By integrating renewable energy sources such as solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicle charging stations into a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), we empower customers to maximize the value of their green energy while contributing to a more stable and sustainable energy network. About The Role As a Data Scientist within our Trading & Optimization team, you will work at the intersection of energy and artificial intelligence, developing and deploying advanced forecasting and optimization models that directly influence real-time trading decisions on the energy market. Your forecasts will immediately impact trading actions and are reflected in our live dashboards, creating a short and measurable feedback loop. You will collaborate closely with data scientists, engineers, and traders in a highly autonomous environment with minimal hierarchy, where ownership and accountability for live models are paramount. Your role involves designing interconnected models that incorporate probabilistic forecasting, market price signals (day-ahead, intraday, imbalance), customer behavior, and the physical dynamics of our VPP assets. You will be responsible for bringing models into production, monitoring performance, ensuring reliability, and continuously optimizing to maximize commercial impact. Your work will directly reduce trading costs, improve the return on our home battery product, and enable customers to benefit from solar bonuses rather than penalties. Additionally, you will prepare our systems for a post-subsidy future by adapting models to evolving market regulations and customer consumption patterns. We encourage proactive adoption of the latest AI and machine learning advancements, translating them into practical experiments and prototypes that enhance our forecasting capabilities and trading strategies. Qualifications Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a data scientist with strong foundations in statistics and machine learning. Proven expertise in forecasting and time series analysis. Proficiency in Python at a production level, including experience with deploying and monitoring live models. Experience with or strong affinity for AI-supported development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar AI assistants. Ability to translate model quality into measurable commercial impact and data-driven decision making. Strong sense of ownership and responsibility for live-running models, including proactive intervention and optimization. Curiosity and proactivity in following and applying the latest AI and machine learning developments. Professional proficiency in Dutch is mandatory. Responsibilities Design and build integrated forecasting and optimization models that drive energy trading decisions. Manage multiple interconnected systems, including weather forecasts, market prices, customer behavior, and physical VPP asset performance. Deploy models to production in collaboration with engineers ensuring seamless integration and operation. Continuously monitor model performance, maintain reliability, and apply optimizations to improve outcomes. Translate forecasting accuracy into commercial benefits such as reduced trading costs and increased battery returns. Adapt models to evolving market regulations and customer consumption trends to maximize value. Lead experimentation with new AI and machine learning techniques, delivering working prototypes rather than theoretical concepts. Collaborate closely with traders and engineers in a fast-paced, low-hierarchy team environment. Benefits Competitive monthly salary ranging from €4,000 to €6,000 gross, commensurate with experience and seniority. 25 vacation days with the option to purchase additional days. Travel expense reimbursement. Subscription to Claude Code Max 20x to support daily work and personal development projects. Personal choice budget for sports, groceries, or other personal needs. Access to the Zonneplan Academy from day one, offering continuous learning and growth opportunities. Clear career progression towards senior data scientist roles specializing in energy trading, battery optimization, or forecasting. A pragmatic, no-nonsense work atmosphere with short communication lines and close collaboration with traders and engineers. Equal Opportunity Zonneplan is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Core Responsibilities

Design, deploy, and optimize interconnected forecasting and optimization models that inform real-time energy trading decisions, incorporating market prices, weather, customer behavior, and Virtual Power Plant asset performance. Monitor live models, collaborate with traders and engineers, and adapt systems to changing regulations and consumption patterns to reduce trading costs and improve customer and battery returns.

Requirements

Requires at least three years of data science experience, strong foundations in statistics and machine learning, expertise in forecasting and time series analysis, and production-level Python experience deploying and monitoring live models. Candidates must be professionally proficient in Dutch, take ownership of production models, translate model quality into commercial outcomes, and be curious about applying new AI and machine learning developments.

Benefits

• 25 Vacation Days
• Option to Purchase Additional Vacation Days
• Travel Expense Reimbursement
• Claude Code Max 20x Subscription
• Personal Choice Budget
• Access to Zonneplan Academy
• Career Progression Opportunities