Professor/Associate Professor within offshore power conversion and grids

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus on professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 44,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

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About the job

Offshore electrical energy generation plays a key role in the decarbonization of the energy system. Enabling offshore renewable energy technologies, such as wind, waves, and solar technologies are ready to contribute with massive amounts of clean and affordable electrical energy. However, exploiting these technologies poses various challenges. High voltage subsea cables are built and operated for electric power transmission between countries around the North Sea and elsewhere in the world, contributing to a closer integration of electricity markets. Grid connection and power conversion technologies are also needed for the rapidly increasing development of offshore power generation, as well as to offshore oil and gas installations. Until now, these offshore power projects have been developed largely independently.    

The Department of Electric Energy seeks to strengthen the expertise in offshore power conversion technologies and grids with an Associate Professor/Professor position. The position is sponsored by Equinor as part of a university scheme. The preferred candidate should have an academic background and experience within at least one of the following key areas: control and operation of power electronic technologies for grid integration of offshore renewable energy sources and energy storage systems; design, modelling and stability of offshore AC, DC or hybrid AC/DC power grids; data-driven design, operation and optimization of offshore power grids and components. 

Your immediate leader is the research group leader.  

Fields of research and teaching

The main responsibility of the Associate Professor/Professor will be research and teaching within electric power infrastructure, grids, power electronics control for efficient, optimal and stable integration of offshore renewable energy sources with AC, DC and hybrid AC/DC grids, including multiterminal grids. Example of research topics include advanced control and modelling of power electronic converters, data-driven design and optimization of offshore AC/DC multiterminal grids, including their modelling for stability analysis. 

The prospective candidate is expected to play an active role in the creation and development of interdisciplinary research competence in the emerging field of offshore power conversion and hybrid AC/DC grids. The candidate is also expected to be engaged in the future development of relevant courses in the field of the advertised position with a view to utilize modern pedagogical and teaching approaches. 

Based on the successful applicant’s expertise and profile, this position will be either linked to the Power Systems Operation and Analysis (PSOA, https://www.ntnu.edu/iel/groups/psoa) research group or to the Power Electronics Systems and Components (PESC, https://www.ntnu.edu/iel/groups/pesc#/view/about) research group at the Department of Electric Energy and reports to the Head of Department.
 

Duties of the position

MSc and PhD candidates from the study programs of the Faculty are expected to be competitive in the international job market. The Professor/Associate Professor will play a leading role in developing the research and educational profile in her/his field, and in ensuring an excellent learning environment, in collaboration with colleagues, students, and external stakeholders. The Faculty’s study programs are required to have a strong international profile, and as such the Professor/Associate Professor is expected to contribute to the development of international alliances and collaboration. The Professor/Associate Professor is required to teach relevant courses at all levels and should supervise BSc, MSc and PhD students. Continuing education is included in the portfolio of educational activities of the Department, and the Professor/Associate Professor is expected to actively contribute to these activities. The research activities of the Department rely on external funding. The Professor/Associate Professor is expected to work actively to secure research grants and funds from the Research Council of Norway, Nordic and European research and educational agencies, relevant industry partners, and other available sources. NTNU places great importance in projects under the EU Framework Programs for Research and Innovation, such as Horizon Europe. Thus, experience in the acquisition and management of externally funded research projects will be important in the selection process. The Professor/Associate Professor is expected to participate in the formal management of research, education, and other relevant areas of activity in agreement with the research group leader and Head of Department. The Professor/Associate Professor is also expected to effectively disseminate relevant parts of her/his research to a wider audience.

The workplace will be in Trondheim. 

Teaching and research within:

• Control of grid-connected power electronic converters for offshore electric power generation (wind energy and solar energy plant, etc.).
• Design and operation of multiterminal AC/DC power grids for optimal integration of offshore renewables, energy storage systems and high-efficiency and reliable electrification of offshore loads.
• Unified understanding of converter control technologies. System-level converter integration studies. Modelling & measurement of grid-connected converters, small-signal stability, frequency couplings, grid-forming converter, and comparative assessments of different technologies.
   

Required qualifications 

Professor: 

You must have the qualifications required for the position of Professor in the field of of dynamic models and measurements of converter-interfaced power systems, as outlined in § 1-2 of the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• Your scientific experience must be primarily within one of the following fields: control of grid-connected power electronic converters for offshore grids, power-electronic dominated multiterminal hybrid AC/DC grids, data-driven operation and optimization of offshore grids. Strong publication record in reputable venues and relevant international publication channels  
• Significant national and international networking and collaboration experience 
• An academic standing that demonstrates internationally relevant research, and internationally recognised potential to make a future impact 
• The ability to obtain external funding from relevant sources, be internationally recognized and be able to initiate and lead research at the international level. 
• Ability to supervise bachelor's, master's and Doctoral candidates in the relevant field 
• In addition to the requirements for basic educational competence, you must also document: 
  • The development of the quality of your own teaching and supervision of students over time 
  • Broad experience as a supervisor, preferably at a master’s/PhD level 
  • Participation in improving the quality of education in a professional environment 

Associate professor: 

You must have the qualifications required for the position of Associate Professor in the field of dynamic models and measurements of converter-interfaced power systems, as outlined in the regulations concerning appointment and promotion to teaching and research posts 

• Your PhD must be within one of the following fields: control of grid-connected power electronic converters for offshore grids, power-electronic dominated multiterminal hybrid AC/DC grids, data-driven operation and optimization of offshore grids.  
• 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.  
• Scientific profile should be relevant to work with power electronics control and grid integration or hybrid AC/DC power system modelling and system-level converter integration studies.

Applicable to all:  

You must document relevant basic competence in teaching and supervision at a university/higher education-level, as referenced in the Norwegian national Regulations. If this cannot be documented, you will be required to complete an approved course in university pedagogy within two years of commencement. NTNU offers qualifying courses. 

New employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language by appointment is required, within three years, to demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU.  

For both position categories, the applicant should demonstrate communication skills that qualify for excellent teaching, supervision, and dissemination. The applicant should possess the interpersonal skills necessary for successful collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders.  
 
Further, documented competence in the execution of joint interdisciplinary projects will be considered in the evaluation. Demonstrated pedagogical experience will be given weight in the selection process. 

New employees who do not speak a Scandinavian language by appointment is required, within three years, to demonstrate skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language equivalent to level three of the course for Norwegian for speakers of other languages at the Department of Language and Literature at NTNU. 
 

Preferred qualifications

• Teaching experience from higher education 
• Experience with securing research funding
• Strong publication track record showing internationally competitive research
• Involvement in international scientific committees
• Pedagogical training applied to the field of engineering
• Leadership experience
• Industry experience will be rated positively
• Proficiency in Norwegian language skills, or another Scandinavian language, will be rated positively

Personal qualities

• Communicates information with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing
• Shares information and expertise to achieve the desired result
• Understands the strategies and priorities of the business and uses this insight to achieve goals
• Initiates, maintains and follows up on processes and dialogue with others (towards management, colleagues, external partners, the public)
• Challenges the status quo and promotes new initiatives.
• Communicates information with clarity and ease, both orally and in writing
• Comes up with innovative ideas and solutions that address needs and expectations.
• Independent and self-motivated
• Able to work in a team

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.  

We offer 

• exciting and challenging 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 

Application Process

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

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Salary and conditions

As a Professor (1013 ) you are normally paid from gross NOK 840 000 – NOK 990 000 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. As a Associate Professor  (code 1011) you are normally paid from gross NOK 690 000 – NOK 870 000 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniorityAs required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

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.   

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

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

About the application

Your application and supporting documentation must be in English. 

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. 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.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter where the applicant expresses your motivation and qualifications for this position (maximum 1 page)
• CV, diplomas, and certificates
• A teaching portfolio (2-3 pages), in which your teaching competence is compiled and presented systematically,   (See guidelines for applicants: Documentation of teaching qualifications in applications and appointments to academic positions at NTNU)
• The most important publications that are relevant for the evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications (maximum 10 publications). Joint works will also be evaluated. If the contributions from individuals in a scientific collaboration are not obvious, the applicant must enclose a short summary of her/his contribution.
• Academic papers/projects/works relevant to the announced position – published or unpublished – that you wish to be considered during assessment of your application (up to 5 items)
• A description of the scientific contributions/artistic works you consider most relevant to the announced position text
• A list of your previous works, relevant to the announced position research area, with details on where they have been published
• A brief description of the scientific/technological relevance of the candidate's research with respect to the requirements of this advertisement (maximum 1 page)
• A research plan (up to 5 pages) related to the announced position research area with focus on offshore power conversion technologies and emerging grids. 
• Details of projects for which you have served as project manager, including information on financing, duration, and scope.
• Names and contact information for three relevant referees.
• Other documents which the applicant would find relevant.
   

You are encouraged to use the Universities Norway’s NOR-CAM toolbox as a guide for  documentation of your competence.

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 evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. Our assessment of the pedagogical skills will be based on documented pedagogical material, forms of presentation in your academic works, teaching experience, PhD, and Masters supervision, and any other relevant pedagogical background. Both quality and scope will be taken into consideration, and an open scientific practice will be recognized.

NTNU is obliged by the evaluation criteria for research quality in accordance with The San Fransisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA and The obligations in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment ( CoARA) on responsible assessment of research and recognition of a  wider range of academic contributions to science and society. This means that we will pay particular attention to the quality and academic range demonstrated by your scientific work to date. We will also pay attention to research leadership and participation in research projects. Your scientific work from the last five years will be given the most weight.

Your application will be considered by an expert committee. Candidates of interest will be invited to an interview, and to deliver a trial teaching session.

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.

Applicants who have submitted their PhD thesis are welcome to apply.

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 continually maintain and improve your professional development and be flexible regarding any organizational changes.

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.

For the sake of transparency, candidates will be given the expert evaluation of their own and other candidates. As an applicant you are considered part of the process and is stipulated to rules of confidentiality.

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Professor Irina Oleinikova, e-mail irina.oleinikova@ntnu.no or Professor Dimosthenis Peftitsis, email: dimosthenis.peftitsis@ntnu.no 
If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR, rekrutteringsteam@ie.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: 28.02.2025