close

PhD Integrated Control & Protection of AC-DC Grids for Secure Operation of Arbitrary Grid Topologies

Updated: 05 Mar 2025

link
provider logo
Research / Academic
Delft

This project offers excellent opportunity to work on challenging aspects related to new protection concepts for combined AC/DC transmission power systems.

Job desciption
The focus of this project is to design, develop and implement new protection and control schemes that will provide secure operation of AC-DC grids for different topologies. The developed solutions based on different contingencies will determine the suitability of the protection scheme in terms of fast operation and definition of stability margins. The project deals with developing protection schemes and analyzing post-fault system behaviour.

This is a four-year PhD appointment. You will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Marjan Popov (full professor), and the consortium consists of academic and industrial partners. The project offers excellent opportunities, to conduct academic research, the results of which will apply to future power systems.

You will be a member of the section Intelligent Electrical Power Grids in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science, which is within the Electrical Sustainable Energy (ESE) Department, and 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. In the scope of this position, it is also expected to mentor 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 where you can bring out the best in yourself. 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:


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
We require :

  • Excellent knowledge of electrical power systems and protection.
  • Experience and comprehensive knowledge in real-time hardware-in-the-loop testing using RSCAD/RTDS, PSCAD and/or EMTP.
  • Solid knowledge of control and protection for HVDC power systems.
  • Completed a M.Sc degree in the field of HVDC/AC protection (control and protection of electrical engineering) and you were at the top of your class.
  • Excellent English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. IELTS score minimum 7 is required.
  • You are highly motivated to conduct and learn RTDS HiL tests and investigate the performance of the protection schemes. 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.


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 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
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

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, via m.popov@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply via the application button and submit:

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


The deadline for applications is March 23 2025 at 23:59 CET. The candidates will be screened as the applications arrive and the promissing candidates will be shortlisted and contacted before the closing of this post. The knowledge security screening may be performed.

If you are interested, do not wait to apply, we are happy to schedule an interview while the response period is running.
You can address your application to Prof.dr. M. Popov.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

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.
Work Hours:

36 - 40 hours per week

Address:

Mekelweg 5