Postdoctoral Fellow in Power System Operation, Protection and Coordinated Control

About the job

The postdoctoral fellowship position is a temporary position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.

Applicants are invited for a two- or three-year position as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Electric Energy, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway. The candidate will be part of the Power System Operation and Analysis (PSOA) research group.

Power system operation are becoming increasingly challenging with a massive amount of wind, solar and hydro generation, with an offshore HVDC grid, and increasingly complex demand patterns. At the same time, as a critical infrastructure, the requirements for secure operation, resilience and power quality are extremely high. The new onshore and offshore grid with a high share of inverter-based resources calls for new technology and operational solutions to secure operation. 

The research aims at accelerating the development of methods, tools and technology for improved situational awareness and automatic control systems for maintaining power system security and resilience in the green transition. We seek a postdoctoral fellow who has the right skills and motivation to strengthen this research activities.

Your immediate leader is the Head of Department. The main workplace will be Trondheim.

Duties of the position

The duties of the postdoctoral fellow position includes:

• Participate in the ongoing research projects, initially ASAP and SysOpt, contributing to developments of system protection schemes and services for coordinated voltage control in power grids.
• The candidate may be involved in teaching duties, and supervision of Master and PhD students upon mutual agreement if required.
• Contribute to new projects and project proposals related to power system operation in the green transition.

Required selection criteria

A postdoctoral research fellowship is a qualification position in which the main objective is the qualification for work in academic positions.

• The candidate must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree, or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree, in electrical engineering with an interest in power system operation, monitoring, protection and control. Candidates who have not yet defended their doctoral thesis at the time of application are encouraged to apply provided completion before entering the position.
• In addition to academic results and publications, the following will be considered when evaluating the applicants.
  • Research experience related to power system dynamic modelling and simulation, with application to system protection, optimisation, and control.
  • Experience in Python programming and use of industry standard analysis tools, such as PSSE.
  • Laboratory experience related to monitoring (PMUs, WAMS), protection and control.
• Applicants must have excellent English language skills, written and spoken. Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside EU/EEA/Switzerland must provide preliminary documentation of English language proficiency, in terms of an approved test. The following tests can be used: 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)

Further assessment of both written and oral English language skills and the ability to communicate fluently will be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interviews for the shortlisted applicants.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Ph.D Candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate.

Preferred selection criteria

• In addition to academic results and publications, the following will be considered when evaluating the applicants.

  • Research experience related to power system dynamic modelling and simulation, with application to system protection, optimisation, and control.
  • Experience in Python programming and use of industry standard analysis tools, such as PSSE.
  • Laboratory experience related to monitoring (PMUs, WAMS), protection and control.
• Scandinavian language skills or completed courses in Norwegian language is valued due to teaching activities.

Personal characteristics

We look for candidates who

• show clear signs of independence, original thinking, and scientific mindset
• are able to work in a structured and goal-oriented manner
• are able to work both independently and in collaboration with others

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 
• employee benefits 

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from NOK 563 500 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

The period of employment is 2 years, with the possibility of a 3rd year with teaching duties and research activity.

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.  

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible at campus Trondheim on a daily basis.

About the application 

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.  

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result. 

The application must include:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes the personal motivation, summarising scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background suitable
• A draft research proposal (3-5 pages) for the postdoctoral career, where the candidate presents her/his ideas for the postdoctoral work and how it can be applied, based on the project description given in this advertisement. This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• CV (summarising education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity).
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records and letters of recommendation. Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement (https://ec.europa.eu/education/diploma-supplement_en) or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
• A publication list, including citation rates according to Google Scholar or Web of Science. Highlight up to five of the most significant and relevant publications.
• The required documentation of English language proficiency.
• Names and contact information of three references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and telephone number).

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

The Department of Electric Power Engineering works closely with key players in the Norwegian electricity supply sector, which 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.

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

General information 

Working at NTNU 

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. We want our faculty and staff to reflect Norway’s culturally diverse population and we continuously seek to hire the best minds. This enables NTNU to increase productivity and innovation, improve decision making processes, raise employee satisfaction, compete academically with global top-ranking institutions and carry out our social responsibilities within education and research. NTNU emphasizes accessibility and encourages qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender identity, ability status, periods of unemployment or ethnic and cultural background.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted. 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact professor Kjetil Obstfelder Uhlen, e-mail kjetil.uhlen@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR consultant Sven Robert Storø, e-mail: sven.r.storo@ntnu.no

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation. 

Application deadline: 01.05.2023

NTNU

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 Energy

The Department of Electric Energy is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical 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 universities and research organizations internationally. This gives us outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary research with high relevance for the society, addressing industrial needs and global challenges.

Deadline 1st May 2023
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Campus Trondheim