The Department of Electric Power Engineering has a vacancy for a PhD position in Power Electronics – “Integration of Distributed Generation Using Advanced Control with Grid Support Functionality”  This is NTNU

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We are looking for dedicated employees to join us.

About the position

The Department of Electric Power Engineering has a vacancy for a 100% position as a PhD candidate within Power Electronics – “Integration of Distributed Generation Using Advanced Control with Grid Support Functionality.”

The project is based on a special research grant provided by the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at NTNU.

The prospective candidate will work in the research group Power Electronic Systems and Components (PESC), https://www.ntnu.edu/iel/groups/pesc#/view/about.

The main supervisor of the PhD candidate will be Associate Professor Mohammad Amin, https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/mohammad.amin.

The position reports to the Head of department.

Main duties and responsibilities

Power electronics converter controller brings many advantages, for example, supplies power to the critical loads even when the grid is lost by utilizing energy storage, plug and play operation functionality, less effort needed to integrate more renewable resources. However, the traditional converters control algorithm has many challenges. For example, the commercially available inverters operate at fixed power factor and trip when voltage and frequency are outside of fairly tight limits. They control the current injected into the grid, regardless of the grid condition. These characteristics were acceptable previously, but new grid codes at the state level and upcoming IEEE standards require the converters to provide essential features that are expected to support grid operations. These challenges will require advanced control technology for penetration of a significant number of power electronics-based distributed generation (DG) and load.

The goal of the PhD project is to advance the state-of-the-art and explore advanced control techniques for future high performance, reliable power electronics converters for Cyber-Physical Systems. The research focuses on emerging topics such as design and analysis of advanced control algorithm for power electronics converters, and digital control and operation of power distribution networks. The proposed technology will allow modern distribution grids and microgrids accommodate more power electronics-based DG sources such as wind energy, photovoltaic (PV) systems as well as more electric vehicles, energy storage systems and dynamic loads.

The research work is divided into several tasks to achieve the research goal. First, the emerging control for power electronics system will be modeled analytically. The control will be tested in the computer-aided simulation tool and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test. After successful implementation in the HIL, the controller will be tested in the real hardware. Finally, the controller will be deployed for various applications as wind energy and/or photovoltaic (PV) systems and/or energy storage systems.

Qualification requirements

The qualification requirement is completion of a Master’s degree with strong academic background with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in electric power engineering or engineering cybernetics or control engineering, with a strong background in control of power electronics. Experience in power electronics hardware and/or software development will be given preference.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants Civil Servants, and national guidelines for appointment to PhD, postdoctor and research assistant positions.

Other qualifications:

Applicants must provide evidence of fluency in English, written and spoken. If your first language is not English, the following tests can be used as preliminary documentation of language proficiency in the selection process: TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge  Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:

• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
• IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
• CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

Even if such documentation is provided, further assessment of both written and oral fluency may be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interview.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of the candidates, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as personal motivation for the position, in terms of the qualification requirements specified above.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The employment contract is for three years; however, there is a possibility for extension up to four years if selected for assistantship.

Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Electric Power Engineering. Applicants must be qualified for admission as PhD candidates at NTNU. See  https://www.ntnu.edu/ie/research/phd for information about PhD studies at NTNU.

As a PhD candidate, you will have to successfully complete the PhD academic training programme; the training includes mandatory course work and other obligatory activities. Within the first three months of your employment, you must formally qualify for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Mohammad Amin mohammad.amin@ntnu.no or to Head of Department Prof. Ole-Morten Midtgård ole-morten.midtgard@ntnu.no.

About the application:

Applications are to be submitted electronically through this page (http://www.jobbnorge.no).

The application must contain:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes his/her personal motivation and how he/she intends to fill the position.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) which includes information about the candidate’s prior education, work experience, academic merits and any scientific publications.
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
• Names and contact information of at least two references.

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

The Department of Electric Power Engineering works closely with key players in the Norwegian electricity supply sector, who manage critical infrastructure. A comprehensive risk assessment of the candidates' research interests and potential activities related to national threat assessments will therefore also form basis for the final selection of candidates.

In the final assessment of the candidates, strategic considerations at the Department of Electric Power Engineering will also be taken into account.

Application deadline: August 16, 2019

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Electric Power Engineering

Our department is Norway’s leading in the field, and our vision is to be at the centre of the digital, green shift. We have excellent collaboration with business and industry as well as other univeristies and research organizations internationally. This gives us outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary research with high relevance for the society, addressing industrial needs and global challenges. The Department of Electric Power Engineering is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.