Key Skills

Job Description

About The Company Zonneplan is a pioneering energy company committed to accelerating the transition to a fossil-free Netherlands through innovative technology and data-driven solutions. Our mission, known as plan Zero, focuses on eliminating emissions, reducing waste, and ending dependency on fossil fuels. We operate at the intersection of energy and artificial intelligence, developing smart systems that optimize energy trading and consumption in real time. Our Virtual Power Plant (VPP) integrates batteries, solar panels, and charging stations to create a more sustainable and efficient energy network. At Zonneplan, collaboration between data scientists, engineers, and traders is key, fostering a pragmatic and no-nonsense culture with short communication lines and a strong emphasis on ownership and impact. About The Role As a Data Scientist within our Trading & Optimization team, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of energy trading by designing and deploying advanced forecasting and optimization models. Your work will directly influence real-time trading decisions, impacting the energy grid and helping reduce reliance on fossil fuels. You will develop interconnected models that incorporate probabilistic forecasting, market prices, customer behavior, and the physical performance of our VPP assets. This role demands ownership and accountability, as you will be responsible for deploying, monitoring, and continuously improving your models in a live environment. You will collaborate closely with engineers and traders, leveraging AI tools like Claude Code to accelerate development and innovation. Your efforts will contribute to lowering trading costs, maximizing returns on home batteries, and preparing our customers for a future without net metering by adapting to evolving market regulations. Qualifications Minimum of 3 years experience as a data scientist with strong foundations in statistics and machine learning Demonstrable experience in forecasting or time series analysis Proficient in Python programming at a production level Experience with deploying and monitoring models in live production environments Affinity or experience with AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar Ability to translate model quality into measurable commercial impact Strong sense of ownership and responsibility for live-running models Proactive and curious mindset with a passion for following AI and machine learning advancements Professional proficiency in the Dutch language Responsibilities Design and build integrated forecasting and optimization models that drive energy trading decisions Work with multiple linked data sources including weather forecasts, market prices (day-ahead, intraday, imbalance), customer behavior, and physical VPP asset data Deploy models to production and ensure seamless integration with engineering teams Monitor model performance and reliability, responding promptly to issues and optimizing continuously Translate forecasting accuracy into commercial benefits such as reduced trading costs and improved battery returns Adapt models to reflect changing market regulations and prepare customers for a future without net metering Stay abreast of the latest AI and machine learning developments and implement practical experiments and prototypes Collaborate closely with traders and engineers in a low-hierarchy, high-initiative environment Benefits Competitive salary range of €4,000 to €6,000 gross per month, based on experience and seniority 25 vacation days with the option to purchase additional days Travel expense reimbursement Claude Code Max 20x subscription for professional and personal use Personal choice budget for sports, groceries, or other personal needs Access to Zonneplan Academy for continuous learning and professional development Opportunity to grow into senior data scientist roles with specialization in energy trading, battery optimization, or forecasting Pragmatic work culture with short lines of communication 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, monitor, and continuously improve integrated forecasting and optimization models that inform real-time energy trading decisions using weather, market, customer, and VPP asset data. Collaborate with traders and engineers to improve trading economics, optimize battery returns, and adapt models to changing market regulations.

Requirements

Applicants need at least three years of data science experience, strong statistics and machine learning foundations, forecasting or time-series experience, and production-level Python skills. They should have experience deploying and monitoring live models, be able to connect model quality to commercial outcomes, demonstrate ownership and curiosity, and have professional proficiency in Dutch.

Benefits

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