Re-announcement: PhD stipend in Data-driven Chemistry-Aware Digital Twin modelling for Power Systems applying P2X capacity

Engineering/it

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, AAU Energy, a position as PhD stipend is available within the general study program. The PhD stipend is open for appointment from 1 July 2024 or soon after. The position is for 3 years and it is funded in the new Danish Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery CAPeX.

Job description

Aalborg University contributes to the knowledge building of the global society as well as the development of prosperity, welfare and culture of Danish society. This is accomplished through research, research-based education, public sector services and knowledge collaboration. AAU educates students for the future and activities are based on a dynamic and transformative collaboration with the surrounding community.

AAU Energy is a dynamic engineering research department in continuous growth and inspiring surroundings.
AAU Energy has a very international environment and covers all areas of clean and sustainable energy systems of the future within electrical, thermal and mechatronic energy technology. AAU Energy has campuses in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, this position is located in Aalborg.

The mission is to be world leading in both research and research-based education of the energy engineers of the future. AAU Energy has approx. 300 employees of many nationalities, of which 25 are administrative staff. In addition, AAU Energy constantly has approx. 50-70 guest researchers from around the world.

Research and teaching are in the absolute world elite in the field of energy, and we have extensive and leading workshop and laboratory facilities, where research and innovation are carried out in direct collaboration with industry to a great extent.

The position is offered in relation to the research program” Power Electronic Control Reliability and System Optimization” and the PhD Student will be positioned to the section for“Applied Power Electronic Systems”.

The position is part of CAPeX which is a 13-year and 300 MDKK“Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery”, funded by Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, the Danish National Research Foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Villum Foundation. CAPeX is hosted by the Technical University of Denmark(DTU) and co-hosted by Aalborg University(AAU), and unites leading experts from DTU, AAU, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Southern Denmark with international partners from Stanford University, Utrecht University, and the University of Toronto to form a truly Pioneering Center on P2X. You can read more about
the CAPeX research themes and X-trails, our organization, and the other open PhD and postdoc cohort positions athttp://www.capex-p2x.com. 

The aim is at the power system level to establish a chemistry-aware digital twin(DT) which is applying data driven models incl from a P2X system. Simple voltage and current characteristics may be used to build and optimize equivalent electrical circuit based DT’s considering the effect of temperature and degradation. It will be parametrically coupled to ongoing electro-chemical reactions also enabling operational optimization for lifetime. For instance, adjusting power, voltage, frequency etc. during operation for balancing degradation. Also the impact of power electronic converter front-end will be needed to be taken into account and the DT should cover large and small signal models as well as micro-seconds transition behavior
to completely map the power system behaviour. The DT will be able to model the impact of various design variables and manufacturing process parameters on the end-system life-cycle performance, so that to guide the decision-makings in material and system design, manufacturing, and operation optimization. The DT must further be able to interface in an efficient way to Atomic-scale based digital twins and it is intended eg. to be applied on electrolyzer systems related to the application areas in CAPeX.

This specific PhD will be in close collaboration with DTU Energy and The European solar fuels consortium SUNERGY at Utrecht University; Netherlands– having co-supervisors from those two places as well as it can be expected for the PhD student to be some time at those two locations.

For consideration, interested applicants should submit the following documents:

  • Letter of motivation
  • Diplomas confirming academic degrees(Master degree), and the academic transcripts.
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Publications(if applicable)
  • Project description(3-5 pages), which describes the applicant’s initial thoughts and ideas related to the specific project applied for. This includes a brief state-of-the-art(including short list of references), a time schedule and how the applicant intends to shed light on the project objectives. All documentation should be in English and merged in a single PDF document. Please, note that applications which do not follow the announcement’s guidelines will not be considered.

Applicants are required to have an excellent academic background with a master’s degree or equivalent in Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or any other related discipline, potentially with skills in Power Electronics. Applicants who are in the final phase of their master’s degree are also encouraged to apply but have to complete the master before starting the fellowship.

  • Motivation and potential for research activities. Ability to work independently and in a team. Be innovative and creative. Keep an open mind. Be international oriented
  • Expertise within the following topics will be an advantage: Multi-physics Modelling, Electrochemical engineering, Electrical engineering, Meso-scale modelling, Electrolyzer technology
  • Expertise with the following engineering tools and programming languages can be an advantage but not limited to: ANSYS, MATLAB, PLECS, others
  • Excellent English language skills(both oral and written). Publications in international journals/conferences will be valued.

You may obtain further professional information from Professor Frede Blaabjerg,+4521292454,fbl@energy.aau.dk. 

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master’s degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Lisbeth Diinhoff, The Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email:ld@adm.aau.dk, phone:+45 9940 9589.

Read more about AAU atwww.aau.dk. 
Read more about the AAU Energy atwww.energy.aau.dk. 
Read more about the CAPeX Pioneer Centerhttp://www.capex-p2x.com.  

For more information of The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science:www.phd.engineering.aau.dk 

The application is only to be submitted online by using the”Apply online” button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

Wages and employment

Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities.

Ref number

14-23083G

Deadline: 2024-03-27 at 23:59
Unit: AAU Energy

Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.