Do you want to contribute to the Green Transition through research on flexibility services for EV-dominated grids of the future, and are you looking for a career in R&D or academia? Then we have an exciting opportunity for you where you will contribute to the secure integration of mass amounts of EVs in distribution networks by designing and validating control schemes that can provide flexibility services.
The PhD project is part of the “e2flex – Enabling Flexibility” research project funded by ELFORSK. As part of the e2flex project team you will investigate how customer preferences will influence the profiles of flexible consumers (e.g. using machine learning techniques) and if this poses challenges in the distribution grid. You will contribute to developing data-driven flexibility products which DSOs can use to resolve congestion. The reliability of the services and the mutual benefit of DSOs and aggregators will be demonstrated in field tests, involving a large number of real residential EV customers.
As a PhD researcher at DTU Wind and Energy Systems, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the success of a world-leading energy systems department that puts knowledge to work through cutting-edge research, innovation, and development of technology. You will be part of a department, where we have internationally leading research environments, and where we prioritize strong cross-disciplinary collaborations within DTU, with leading international universities and facilities, as well as with private companies. We have a strong focus on the development of the future energy system with wind energy as the backbone and collaborate with the full sector.
You will join the international team carrying out research in Distributed Energy Systems section, where the working language is English.
Responsibilities and qualifications
As PhD student, you will collaborate closely with the other participants of the project. The PhD project’s main objectives are to study the effect of mass EV adoption on distribution grids, propose suitable flexibility mechanisms that will allow the efficient integration of EV smart charging in future distribution networks, and validate the proposed solutions in field tests.
Your primary tasks will be:
- Investigate the potential problems of increased penetration of EV smart charging in modern distribution networks
- Design flexibility services that produce mutual benefits for DSOs and aggregators
- Design strategies for the acquisition, procurement and activation of such services and assess their reliability
- Participate in the project’s activities and real-life demonstrations
Within the first two months of the PhD project, you will develop a detailed project plan with your supervisors.
The successful candidate has a master’s degree in computer sciences or applied mathematics and is willing to learn about electrical systems or has a master’s degree in electrical engineering with a deep inclination towards data science and optimization.
Moreover, as a successful candidate you are required to have:
- Excellent grades in your master program
- Dedicated person with desire to learn is an essential quality
- Ability to work in a project team and take responsibility for own research goals
- Fluency in communicating and reporting in English
It is an advantage, if you have some of the following additional technical qualifications:
- Ability to present results in technical reports and prepare scientific papers for publication in international journals
- Strong programming skills (preferably Python)
- The ability to work effectively with data and applied statistics
- Strong skills in optimization and forecasting
You must also fulfill the requirements for admission to a PhD program at DTU.
You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU’s rules for the PhD education.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Assistant Professors Tilman Weckesser (tweck@dtu.dk) and Haris Ziras (chazi@dtu.dk), and Head of Section for Distributed Energy Systems, Senior Researcher Henrik W. Bindner (hwbi@dtu.dk).
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.
The starting date is 1. April (or according to mutual agreement). The position is full time.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information about the academic content may be obtained from Assistant Professors Tilman Weckesser (tweck@dtu.dk) and Haris Ziras (chazi@dtu.dk), and Head of Section for Distributed Energy Systems, Senior Researcher Henrik W. Bindner (hwbi@dtu.dk).
You can read more about DTU Wind and Energy Systems at www.vindenergi.dtu.dk
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 March 2023 (Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply now”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- A 1-page research statement, including figures and references if deemed necessary (max 500 words).
You may apply prior to obtaining your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers of wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 PhD students. The department’s cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programs that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions and organizations, as well as the wind industry.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,400 students and 5,800 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
Deadline: 2023-03-31 at 23:59
Unit: dtu
Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.
Post expires on Friday March 31st, 2023