Postdoc Interoperability of Control and Protection in the High Voltage Direct Current Power System

This project offers excellent opportunity to work on novel aspects related to testing new control and protection concepts for multi-terminal HVDC power systems.    

Job description

In the framework of the ongoing planned research conducted with TSOs and vendors, two 2-year postdoc positions will be assigned. The positions deal with the conducting of the interaction studies for control and protection in the multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) power system under various scenarios. The work will include extensive testing using online real-time simulation RSCAD/RTDS and offline PSCAD simulation. Close cooperation with the industry will be maintained.   

This is a two-year postdoctoral appointment, with an anticipated starting date on 01.06.2025. You will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Marjan Popov (full professor), and Dr. Aleksandra Lekić (assistant professor). You will be a member of the section Intelligent Electrical Power Grids in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science. The project  offers excellent opportunities, on one side, to collaborate with world-leading manufacturers of HVDC control and protection equipment and, on another side, with European system operators. 

Your research is part of a multi-disciplinary drive towards stable, reliable sustainable energy systems. Which is why you’ll work closely with your colleagues in the Dynamic Stability of Sustainable Electrical Power Systems research group. The group belongs to the Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG) Section of the Electrical Sustainable Energy (ESE) Department, which is part of the Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science (EEMCS) Faculty. We are an innovation-driven and multidisciplinary team of early-stage and senior professors, postdocs, PhDs, and MSc researchers with different cultural backgrounds. You will be coaching and mentoring master students. Fostering a synergetic, open-minded, and win-together culture, we regularly interact and share views, unlocking opportunities, forms of incubation, and deployment of knowledge and ground-breaking developments. We also stimulate a healthy and inclusive work environment in which you can bring out the best in yourself. And we value autonomy, professionalism, and a balanced work-life approach. 

The research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

The department owns a large ESP Laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and large RTDS that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection and wide-area monitoring and protection. The Intelligent Electrical Power Grid (IEPG) group, headed by Professor Peter Palensky, works on the future of our power system.

The TNO Wind Energy research group (cooperation partner) works on challenges related to the acceleration of wind energy deployment and its integration in the energy system. Together with WUR (Wageningen University & Research), TNO operates the SWITCH fieldlab for research and testing of renewable energy integration solutions.

Job requirements

• Excellent knowledge of electrical power systems and power electronics. 
• Experience and comprehensive knowledge in real-time hardware-in-the-loop testing using RSCAD/RTDS.
• Excellent knowledge of power electronic devices operation, control and protection for HVDC power systems.
• Completed a Ph.D. degree in a highly technical related discipline (computer science, electrical engineering, etc.) and you were at the top of your class.
• Excellent English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
• You are highly motivated to conduct RTDS HiL tests and investigate the performance of  future MTDC grids. You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn. 
• You are keen to work with other co-workers and partners, link real-world challenges and contribute to the ongoing energy transition. 

The candidate is required to have good knowledge about power electronic devices, control, and protection principles. It is crucial to have solid background and experience with  hardware-in-the-loop testing using RSCAD/RTDS.      
 

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. 

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration. 

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. 

Conditions of employment 

• Duration of contract is 1 year with the prospect of another year.

• A job of 36-40 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof.dr. M. Popov and Dr. A. Lekic, via m.popov@tudelft.nl and a.lekic@tudelft.nl

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 2 March 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV with a list of (academic and/or industry) references.
• List of grades of your qualifying degrees (BSc, MSc).
• Cover letter with details about your motivation and compliance to the job requirements. Incomplete applications will not be considered.   

The candidates will be screened as the applications arrive and the promising candidates will be shortlisted and contacted before the closing of this post.
 

You can address your application to Prof.dr. M. Popov and Dr. A. Lekic.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.