2 postdoctoral researchers in 'Optimization models considering dynamic stability constraints and power system harmonics for underground transmission grids'

KU Leuven boasts a rich tradition of education and research that dates back six centuries. The university’s basic research orientation has always been and will remain fundamental research. At the same time, the university remains vigilantly open to contemporary cultural, economic and industrial realities, as well as to the community’s needs and expectations. KU Leuven is currently by far the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure (EUR 455.1 million in 2015). KU Leuven conducts fundamental and applied research in all academic disciplines with a clear international orientation. In the Times Higher Education ranking KU Leuven is ranked as the 12th European university, while in the Reuters Top 100 of the World’s most innovative institutions, KU Leuven is listed as the first European university.
The ELECTA research group of the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) of KU Leuven performs research on aspects of generation, transmission, distribution and rational use of electrical energy. Topics covered are smart grids, reliable power systems with high penetration of renewable energy sources, HVDC and LVDC, energy markets, integration of renewable energy sources on transmission and distribution. Seven professors lead the group. They manage the research assisted by a team of senior researchers, post-doctoral researchers and about 50 PhD students.
EnergyVille is an association of the Flemish research institutes KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt in the field of sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. EnergyVille brings research, development, training and industrial innovation together under one name, in close cooperation with local, regional and international partners. EnergyVille strives to become one of the top five European institutes in innovative energy research. For that reason, the center was embedded in big national and international networks from the start.
The employment will be KU Leuven and the position will contentwise be located within the Energy Transmission Competence Hub – ETCH of EnergyVille, facilitating the utilisation of underground and HVDC transmission for future-proofing transmission grid

Website unit

Responsibilities

We are searching for 2 experienced researchers with a background on optimization under uncertainty in power systems to strengthen our team on the topic of “Decision Support Tools for System Operators”. The successful candidate(s) will work on publicly and industrially funded research projects aimed at modelling of continuous and discrete control actions in power systems to ensure steady-state and dynamic system stability. The main goal of the research activities is to bridge the gap between steady-state optimization models and dynamic simulation of power systems, for higher quality decisions in system planning and operation. The responsibilities of the researcher will be to: 

• Contribute to the research currently conducted in the group: directly and through (co-)supervision of junior researchers in the framework of a limited number of research projects. 
• Contribute to the research roadmap "Decision support for grid operators". 
• Contribute to the Energy Transmission Competence Hub - ETCH within EnergyVille facilitating research in HVDC Grids and High Voltage Underground Transmission. 
• Publish research outcomes in top academic journals and conferences. 
• Represent the group within projects and towards the industry.

Profile

• You have a PhD degree in electrical engineering, computer sciences or mathematics with a solid background in operation, control and stability of power systems. 
• Experience in (stochastic) optimization techniques is a big plus. 
• Experience in application of AI based methods in the context of power system modelling and optimization is a plus. 
• You have good programming skills, preferably in Julia. 
• You should have obtained clear scientific contributions during your PhD, e.g. shown through publications in relevant academic journals. 
• You are interested to work in a team with experts studying different aspects power systems, and willing to train and supervise junior researchers. 
• You should be willing to occasional travel in framework of your projects. 
• You are able to communicate fluently in English, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of the Dutch language is a plus. 
• You are willing to contribute to grant proposals in the field of your expertise.

Offer

• A well funded post-doc position (gross monthly salary of about ~ €4850, depending on experience). 
• A fixed duration contract (duration 1 or 2 years, with potential continuation). 
• Multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.). 
• Exiting work environment in a team with different projects for industry and in public R&D projects with industry involvement. 
• The opportunity to be active in an international research environment. 
• Opportunity to work in a new research laboratory with state of the art infrastructure. 
• Engage in research collaborations and participate at international conferences 

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Hakan Ergun, tel.: +32 16 32 10 42, mail: hakan.ergun@kuleuven.be.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.