Postdoc Project HARMONY

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the ongoing research activities within the framework of the CRESYM organization. The position is connected to the Harmony project, funded by CRESYM, TenneT, and Swissgrid, and focuses on advanced coordinated optimal control and optimization of integrated AC-MTDC power systems, with a particular emphasis on OPF-related methodologies for future transmission networks.

The candidate will work on the modeling, analysis, and simulation of AC-MTDC systems, including the development of optimization and control frameworks that enable secure, efficient, and flexible grid operation. Depending on the candidate’s expertise and interests, the research may include topics such as:

• Optimal control of AC-MTDC systems with high penetration of renewable energy sources
• Dynamic and security-constrained optimal power flow
• Multi-timescale operation and control of hybrid AC/DC grids
• Real-time and predictive control methods for future power systems

This is a full-time postdoctoral appointment with close collaboration opportunities with industrial partners including TenneT and Swissgrid. The position offers access to advanced simulation and experimental infrastructure, including RTDS platforms, HVDC and DC grids laboratories, and wide-area monitoring and protection systems.

You will be jointly supervised by Dr. Aleksandra Lekić and Dr. Robert Dimitrovski, and you will become a member of the Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG) section within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. Within the team, we strive to develop mathematically rigorous methods with strong near-term application potential. We strongly support open science practices, including scientific publishing, open-source software, and data sharing.

About the department

The research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition toward a more sustainable society and focuses on the following areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

The department provides expertise across the entire energy system chain and hosts extensive research facilities, including high-voltage testing laboratories, DC grids testing environments, and large-scale RTDS infrastructure for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC/DC protection, and wide-area monitoring and protection.

The IEPG group, headed by Prof. Peter Palensky, focuses on the future evolution of electrical power systems. The group develops advanced power technologies and intelligent control approaches to enable reliable, efficient, stable, affordable, and sustainable energy systems with increasing levels of distributed and renewable generation.

Job requirements

Essentials:

• Solid knowledge of electrical power systems and supply-demand matching.
• Solid experience in the modeling techniques for power systems.
• Solid experience in programming and simulation with at least one programming language (MATLAB, Python, Julia, C/C++).
• Excellent analytical skills and solid knowledge of machine learning and/or operational research. You can understand literature in both disciplines.
• You enjoy performing research.
• You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn.
• You are keen to work with partners to link real-world challenges to fundamental research questions.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 3,5 months Temporary
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.