Researcher in Coordinated Converter Control for Stability and Power Quality in Inertia-Less Grids

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You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0

About the Job

With the European Union setting the ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, and many other countries embracing similar policies to decarbonize electricity, supporting a more sustainable society, there is a significant need for technological advances and increased competitiveness to drive the growth of offshore renewable energies, and energy storage in the coming years.

Within this context, this research project will focus specifically on how multiple grid converter-interfaced assets should be controlled and coordinated in an inertia-less (or almost inertia-less) isolated power network, to ensure its stability and power quality compliance in relevant operating conditions.

The Researcher will be employed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the workplace will be in Trondheim, Norway, but the Researcher-project is of both academic and industrial relevance, and it will therefore be developed in close cooperation between NTNU in Trondheim and the company Petronas, which is a global Malaysian energy group (https://www.petronas.com/).

The position is temporary.

Your immediate leader is the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

In the scientific research project, the selected applicant will investigate how different electronically interfaced equipment (e.g., renewable generators, energy storage systems, compensation systems), needs to be controlled and coordinated, particularly on the shortest time scales, to ensure the stable and secure operation of an isolated grid entirely reliant on renewable sources.

Among the specific objectives of the Researcher’s project there are:

• To systematically map and classify available assets depending on their intrinsic features and grid support capabilities, with an overview of their prioritization in dealing with local stability and power quality problems.
• To investigate grid forming control strategies and their possible shared responsibility to ensure the operation of a fully inertia-less isolated power system, while avoiding detrimental interactions.
• To embed grid support functionalities aimed to ensure stability and improve power quality into control algorithms and energy management strategies of the target isolated power system.

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

Required selection criteria

You must have completed a PhD degree (or equivalent) within electrical engineering. 

If you can document that the PhD thesis has been submitted, your application can be assessed even if you have not yet defended your dissertation. Documentation of the obtained doctoral degree must be presented before you can take up the position.

• Solid competence on power electronics and converter control is needed.
• Applicants must have good English language skills, written and spoken. Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside the 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)
  • CAE/CPE: grade B or A

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.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with stability studies of power grids with high penetration of converters will be important.
• Documented activities on algorithms for secondary control in microgrids/isolated systems will be positively assessed.
• Experience with experimental validation (in particular Hardware-in-the-loop testing) and control-in-the-loop testing will be an advantage.
• Experience with stability studies based on state-state modeling of power systems will be merited.

Personal characteristics

Communicates information with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing.

• Self-driven with a strong ability to work both independently, and in cooperation with others when required.
• Share information and expertise to achieve the desired results.
• Structured, targeted and solution oriented.

A good working environment is important to us at the Department of Electric Energy. Our working environment is characterized by an informal and friendly tone and good cooperation between employees. We therefore want you to be a person who:

• Works from campus and participates in joint activities such as lunch, and takes the initiative in academic and social activities in the scholarship group
• Participates in professional discussions with colleagues
• Has a friendly and positive attitude

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

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

The gross salary for the position of researcher (code 1109) is normally remunerated at gross from NOK 550 000 – 700 000 before tax per year, 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 18 months.

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

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite that you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily. 

About the application

The application and supporting documentation must be in English.

Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified 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 personal motivation, summarizing scientific work, and how the applicant sees her/his background as suitable.
• CV and certificates.
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, or have recently submitted your thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 10 items).
• A draft research proposal (at least 5 pages) for the research project, where the candidate presents her/his own ideas for the scientific work and how they can be applied, based on the project description given in this advertisement. This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• Name and contact information of three referees.

Joint work will also be considered. If it is difficult to identify your specific input to a joint project, you must include evidence of your contributions.  

In the assessment of the best qualified applicant, we will emphasize education, experience and personal suitability as well as your motivation for the position. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.

General information

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.  

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality. 

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 Elisabetta Tedeschi, email: elisabetta.tedeschi@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Consultant Terese Olausson, e-mail: terese.olausson@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: 22.10.2025