Project Researcher (PhD. Student), Electrical Engineering (Control of Inverter Interfaced DER)

The position is offered as  a fixed term position starting in September 2023 or as agreed and ending on September 2024. The position is located in the School of Technology and Innovations.

Your role

The Project Researcher (PhD Student) will be working full time on the project Smart Grid 2.0 (Next Generation Distribution Grid) funded by Business Finland. The research work will focus on a task studying novel methods to enhance DER hosting capacity of modern electricity distribution networks. The aim is to study various control methods for the grid inverter especially considering the requirements arising from the various grid codes. Furthermore, the aim is to study the possibilities to further develop the existing grid codes.

All tasks are agreed in more detail in the Annual Work Plan. The annual working time is 1612 hours.

Requirements

Position requires a Master’s degree in the field of Electrical Power Engineering and proven ability to conduct independently scientific research on the specified area. Studies or previous experience relating to the power electronics and the control of grid inverters are essential prerequisites. The main research work will be carried out with simulation tools such as Matlab/Simulink and OPAL-RT real-time simulator. Therefore, previous experience on these tools as well as some work history with power electronics is seen as a valuable asset. The applicant should be also highly motivated to carry out PhD studies.

To be eligible for a full PhD student position, the candidate is required to participate in a separate application process which is arranged twice a year in order to be admitted and enrolled as a doctoral student at the University of Vaasa. For more information about eligibility and the application process, please visit the Graduate School’s website: https://www.uwasa.fi/en/research/researcher/graduate_school/.

Fluent written and spoken English language skills are mandatory in the position.

Inspirational work environment

The position is situated in the School of Technology and Innovations within the team of Electrical Engineering (Smart Grids).

We are strongly networked and responsible actors in research, education and public relations. As a work community, our team is diverse, international and encouraging. The cooperation and support of colleagues promotes well-being and inspires working.

More information about the School: https://www.uwasa.fi/en/about/organisation/schools/technology-and-innovations/

Salary

The salary will be based on both the job requirement and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The monthly salary of a Project Researcher (PhD Student) is based on job demand levels 2-4 (€ 2,183-2,720). An additional personal salary component is paid based on work performance.

How to apply 

To apply for this position, please use our online application system (using the “Leave an application” button below). The application, including appendices, has to be submitted using our online application database no later than 27th August 2023.

The application should include the following annexes in English (See instructions concerning these annexes: https://www.uwasa.fi/en/open-positions/application-attachments):

• CV. Use of CV template is required.
• Additional attachment 1. Single-page cover letter describing your motivation for this topic of research
• Additional attachment 2. Transcript of study records in a PDF format
• Additional attachment 3. List of Publications

Further Information

Further information about the position:

• Professor Kimmo Kauhaniemi, phone. +358 29 449 8287, email: kimmo.kauhaniemi(a)uwasa.fi
• Professor Hannu Laaksonen, phone. +358 29 449 8303, email: hannu.laaksonen(a)uwasa.fi
• Inquiries about the online application system: careers(a)uwasa.fi

Inquiries about the online application system: careers(a)uwasa.fi

The employment is subject to a 6 month probationary period.

The University of Vaasa is located on the West coast of Finland at the heart of Northern Europe’s largest energy and environment business cluster. The University of Vaasa is well positioned to interact actively with the surrounding society – internationally, nationally and regionally. Our community includes 5,000 students and 600 employees from 80 countries. As an employer, we focus on employee well-being at work by providing extensive occupational health care, flexible working time arrangements and opportunities for competence development. We have been awarded the HR Excellence in Research recognition. Read more about Working at the University | University of Vaasa (uwasa.fi) 

Application period starts: 2023-08-10 13:00 Application period ends: 2023-08-27 23:59