KU Leuven boasts a rich tradition of education and research that dates back six centuries. The university’s basic research orientation has always been and will remain fundamental research. At the same time, the university remains vigilantly open to contemporary cultural, economic, and industrial realities, as well as to the community’s needs and expectations. KU Leuven is currently by far the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure (EUR 455.1 million in 2015). KU Leuven conducts fundamental and applied research in all academic disciplines with a clear international orientation. In the Times Higher Education ranking, KU Leuven is ranked as the 12th European university, while in the Reuters Top 100 of the World’s most innovative institutions, KU Leuven is listed as the first European university.
The ELECTA research group of the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) of KU Leuven performs research on aspects of generation, transmission, distribution, and rational use of electrical energy. Topics covered include smart grids, reliable power systems with high penetration of renewable energy sources, HVDC and LVDC, energy markets, and integration of renewable energy sources on transmission and distribution. Seven professors lead the group. They manage the research assisted by a team of senior researchers, post-doctoral researchers, and about 50 PhD students.
EnergyVille is an association of the Flemish research institutes KU Leuven, VITO, imec, and UHasselt in the field of sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. EnergyVille brings research, development, training, and industrial innovation together under one name, in close cooperation with local, regional, and international partners. EnergyVille strives to become one of the top five European institutes in innovative energy research. For that reason, the center was embedded in big national and international networks from the start.
Within the Electrical Energy & Computer Architectures (Electa) division and EnergyVille, the research team led by Prof. Jef Beerten focuses on the combined modelling and control of power electronic converters and power systems. The group of PhD students and postdocs consists of about 10 people. Within the team, we have a postdoc position available on modelling and study of the impact of forced oscillations coming from offshore wind plants, and their impact on the interarea modes in large interconnected power systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop new models and methodologies to study the impact of forced oscillations on the interarea modes in large-scale interconnected power systems.
• Contribute to the overall research conducted in the group: directly and through (co-)supervision of junior researchers.
• Publish research outcomes in top academic journals and conferences.
• Represent the group in projects and with industry.

Profile

• You have obtained a PhD degree in electrical engineering with a solid background in power system network modelling, focusing on interarea mode analysis, from a reputable institute.
• You have a strong background in stability analysis of large-scale power systems, including model-order reduction.
• You are proficient in coordinated POD/PSS design and determining their optimal location.
• You have experience with non-linear dynamic system analysis and specialized power system software, such as DIgSILENT.
• You have obtained clear scientific contributions during your PhD, e.g., shown through publications in relevant top academic journals.
• You are motivated to work in a dynamic team in a collaborative spirit, whose activities are centered on power system dynamics, and to train and supervise the work of junior experts in the research team.
• You possess strong critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective collaborative skills (teamwork-oriented).
• You are able to communicate fluently at a high professional level in English, both orally and in writing.
• You are willing to contribute to grant proposals in the field of your expertise.
• You are willing to occasionally travel in the framework of your projects, when needed.
• Knowledge of the Dutch language is a plus.

Offer

• An inspiring research environment within an international team of enthusiastic colleagues.
• An internationally recognized team at the most innovative university in Europe with state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure.
• Opportunities to engage in research collaborations and participate in international conferences and expert groups.
• Projects for industry and public R&D projects with industry involvement.

More Information

EnergyVille
Electa

Interested?

For more information, please contact Prof. dr. Jef Beerten, tel.: +32 16 32 10 39, email: jef.beerten@kuleuven.be

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