Postdoc Protection and Control of DC Microgrid for Electric Aircraft

Join us to advance DC microgrid protection, control, and stability for safe and reliable future sustaibale aviation!

Postdoc Protection and Control of DC Microgrid for Electric Aircraft

Salary range: €3706 - €5760

FTE: 1

Job description

DC microgrids with integrated energy storage are a key enabler of the electrification of transportation, industry, data centers, and renewable energy systems. However, the high-power, low-impedance, and dynamically varying DC microgrids introduces significant challenges in system stability and fault resilience. These challenges are particularly critical for electric aircraft, requiring high power density, stringent weight constraints, fast electrical dynamics, and demanding safety requirements.

The objective of this postdoctoral position is to develop efficient, stable, and fault-resilient DC microgrids for electric aircraft, addressing challenges from the converter level to the system level. At the converter level, you will investigate power conversion, control, and protection technologies to achieve high power density, robust operation, and effective fault handling. At the system level, you will design DC microgrid architectures that integrate diverse energy sources, power converters, and aircraft loads. A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test platform will be developed to validate the proposed solutions. This platform will support research on stability analysis, and the transient and steady-state responses under various faults. A particular focus will be placed on the interaction between protection actions and system control to ensure stable and resilient operation under normal and fault conditions.

What You Will Do

• Develop and validate digital models of energy sources and storage, power electronic converters, and aircraft loads
• Design DC microgrid architectures for electric aircraft, balancing reliability, efficiency, power density, and weight. Implement an HIL test platform for the selected architecture
• Investigate DC fault dynamics by analyzing transient and steady-state system behavior under pole-to-pole and pole-to-ground faults, and propose mitigation measures
• Investigate the interaction between protection and control and develop coordinated protection and control strategies to enhance overall system performance and fault resilience
• Validate proposed solutions through simulation and HIL experiments

What the Position Offers You

• A state-of-the-art power electronics laboratory, equipped with advanced research and testing facilities, including OPAL-RT, PLECS RT Box, and Imperix power amplifiers
• An opportunity to conduct high-impact research on electric aircraft, contributing to the future of sustainable aviation
• Opportunities to contribute to the DC Systems and EV Charging Summer School

About the department

The research in ESE Department 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)

ESE Department owns the ESP laboratory is actively used for testing of grid integration of power electronics, battery degradation, hardware in loop simultion (HIL), AC and DC protection, and wide-area monitoring, protection and control.

The DCE&S group is responsible for research and education in the fields of DC systems, energy storage, electronic power conversion (power electronics), electro-mechanics for electric mobility and recently electro-chemical conversion. DC systems is a multidisciplinary field of research, exploring the electronic power conversion of electrical energy for different applications. The group is currently active in applications such as Direct Current distribution grids and microgrids, electrification of mobility (charging of electric vehicles), and renewable generation of electrical energy (such as wind and solar energy) as well as sustainable production of chemicals and fuels through large-scale conversion of renewable electricity into molecular bonds.

Job requirements

Essential job requirements:

• Strong research record on electronic power conversion and DC systems
• Completed a PhD degree in a highly quantitative and analytical discipline (electrical engineering)
• Demonstrable experience with HIL tests or power system simulations
• Very good command of English, in both writing and speaking
• You enjoy performing research. You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn

Desirables:

• Knowledge of DC microgird control and stability analysis
• Knowledge of electric aircraft

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years and 2 months. Temporarily with a posibility for extension.
• A job of 38-40 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.

You will benefit from extensive training in technical and transferrable skills. You will be expected to assist in teaching activities (student supervision, labs) related to your subject area. You will have access to excellent research facilities in ESP lab.

As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed.