Postdoc in EV Charging & Second Life Battery for Urban DC Traction Grids

Postdoc in EV Charging & Second Life Battery for Urban DC Traction Grids: To alleviate grid congestion, traction grids can provide EV charging for zero-emission construction sites while traction-bus batteries can be repurposed as second-life energy storage for peak shaving.

Job description

The rapid electrification of transport, buildings, and industry is creating unprecedented pressure on urban electricity networks resulting in Grid congestion. In particular, construction sites often require high-power charging in locations where grid connections are unavailable, or capacity constrained. At the same time, many European cities possess extensive DC traction networks for trolleybuses and electric public transport. These networks represent a largely untapped energy asset that could provide local flexibility, support charging infrastructure, and enable new forms of distributed energy storage. Furthermore, growing numbers of electric bus and In-Motion Charging (IMC) batteries are reaching the end of their automotive service life while retaining significant residual capacity suitable for second-life applications.

To address the above challenges, the Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct research on:

• Repurposing end-of-first-life electric bus and IMC batteries as second-life stationary and mobile energy storage systems with focus on battery degradation and cell-to-cell variations
• Analyzing the impact of battery chemistry, aging history, operational profiles, and pack architecture on second-life performance, safety, reliability, and lifetime using a Digital Twin. Developing methodologies for battery diagnostics, state-of-health estimation, assessment, disassembly, reconfiguration, and integration.
• Investigate how traction grids can support high-power charging at construction-sites though optimal sizing of chargers and mobile battery storage systems based on the demand and through energy management strategies under traction and AC grid constraints.
• Contribute to two pilots that demonstrate and validate: a) a Traction-to-Building microgrid integrating PV, second-life batteries, regenerative braking energy, smart energy management; b) mobile charging solutions for zero-emission construction machinery using the trolleybus network as an energy source.

This Postdoc is part of the EU-funded GRID4CITY project, within the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnerships program call 2025-26. Since TU Delft will be the coordinator of the project, a key responsibility of the Postdoc will to support the coordination of research activities with all EU partners, organizing tasks, meetings, and follow-ups, dissemination of knowledge and working on the pilots in the Netherlands and Poland.

The position offers excellent opportunities to publish in high-impact journals, collaborate with leading European partners, supervise MSc and PhD students, and contribute to the development of innovative battery and charging solutions to accelerate the energy transition to climate-neutral cities.

The research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four 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’s ESP Laboratory brings together High Voltage testing, DC Grids environment, and large RTDS for real-time simulation of power systems, power electronics research facilities, and an e-mobility lab with focus on electric macines and EV charging that includes a battery testing and characterizing room.

The DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S) group is responsible for research and education in the fields of DC systems, electric mobility, battery technology, power electronics, and electromechanics. The group is currently active in applications such as Direct Current distribution and transmission grids and microgrids, electrification of mobility (charging of electric vehicles), and integration of renewable energy sources.

Job requirements

Who are we looking for?

• You have a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline from a well-established university with a proven record for independent researc
• A solid background in batteries, battery management systems, battery SoX modeling, thermal management of batteries, battery lifetime estimation and development of experimental setups.
• Experience with the modeling, simulating and building experimental setups related to one: Batteries SoX, AC and DC Grids, EV charging.
• Excellent English language skills
• Experience with managing large projects with partners, planning and following up of tasks, organizing meetings and budgets is preferred

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft we deliver world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science brings together three scientific disciplines. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 12 months with propect of another 23 months. Temporary.
• A job of 36-38 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• 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.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

• Salary range: €3706 - €5760.
• Hours per week: 36-38.
• FTE: 1.

A knowledge security screening may be performed. As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed.