A joint PhD position in Power Quality for efficiency and compliance testing of grid-forming converters

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

Introduction

Are you inspired by developing testbeds for measurements of grid-forming converters and realizing the possibility to do on-site compliance tests?

Grid-forming converters are key to transforming our electricity grid. However, their performance needs to be evaluated more critically before they can be applied in the grid. We aim realizing the required testbeds at the Power Quality lab at the University of Technology in Eindhoven in cooperation with the University of Twente, where the focus is on the efficiency of the grid-forming inverters. The compliance process is described in general terms in the RfG (Requirements for Generators) and the Dutch Grid Code.

The process of compliance test is a challenging process, certainly with the on-site measurements where different parameters such as voltage and frequency can change in time and the response of the converters should be determined in dependency on both these parameters.

Job Description

We offer a fully-funded PhD position of 4 years in a joint cooperation between the University of Technology Eindhoven and University of Twente. You will start by building the testbed(s), and continue with testing grid-forming converters on their characteristics. The location of the work will mainly be in Eindhoven.
The work will be done in cooperation with VSL (the Dutch Metrology Institute) and will be part of the European GridForm project.

You will join the active and growing research teams specialized in Power Conversion and Power Quality within the Electrical Energy System (EES) group of TU/e and the Power Electronics group of UT (University of Twente).
Besides research you will also contribute to education within the department. Apart from supervising BSc and MSc students in their research projects, other assistance in education, e.g. in bachelor courses, is usually limited to around 10% of your contract time.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree Electrical Engineering with a specialty in Power Systems. A prior experience in Power Quality is a plus but is not mandatory.
• A research-oriented attitude, with a passion for measurements and modelling.
• Ability to work in a team and interested in collaborating with the industrial partners of the EU GridForm project.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

Conditions of Employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact Dr.ir. Sharmistha Bhattacharyya ([email protected]), Prof. Sjef Cobben ([email protected]) or Prof. Gert Rietveld ([email protected]).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services Flux ([email protected]).

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• Brief description of your MSc thesis.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.