KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Electrical Engineering

The position will be located in the power electronics research group within the school of electrical engineering and computer science at KTH. The group carries out research in several fields, notably high power electronics for power transmission grids and applications of wide-bandgap power semiconductors.

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power transmission is a key enabler for the transition of the world’s energy systems towards renewable energy sources. The development of HVDC over the last decades, involving modular multilevel converters, has extended the field of application radically, and for instance enabled the grid connection of offshore wind farms on a large scale. HVDC converters normally use very complex and distributed control systems with high requirements on reliability and latency.  To continue and accelerate the deployment of HVDC it will be needed to connect the transmission links into a grid, often referred to as a supergrid. This will require interoperability between the control systems of the converter stations, often coming from different vendors, to allow for efficient and reliable operation and avoid instabilities. To achieve interoperability an approach will be studied where parts of the control system use open source software. This will allow for tapping the many benefits such software, which to date has not been made in most power system applications. These include having a much wider base of developers, which results in more reliable and robust systems. Also, having open access to the software code will allow the different parties involved (e.g. manufacturers, grid operators, consultants and researchers) to efficiently collaborate to solve problems of interoperability.

What we offer

  • The possibility to study in a dynamic international research environment in close cooperation with industries and advanced universities the world over.
  • Life-long network through KTH's Alumni organization.
  • A personal study plan to support your development within your areas of interest.
  • A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement.
  • Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe´s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
  • Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.
  • Participation in a very inclusive and multidisciplinary reseach group carrying out world-class research in power electronics

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

  • passed a degree at advanced level,
  • completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
  • in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

Selection

In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

  • ability to independently pursue his or hers work,
  • ability to collaborate with others,
  • have a professional approach and
  • analyse and work with complex issues.
  • knowledge of Swedish (since we teach undergraduate courses in Swedish)

We are looking for a person with good knowledge in power electronics and/or automatic control. Good networking skills are also very desirable here, since the student will interact with people from industry and utilities as well as other researchers.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may thereafter be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

  • CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
  • Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
  • Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
  • Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about Processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment As soon as possible
Salary Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number J-2018-2884
Contact
  • Staffan Norrga, Associate professor, norrga@kth.se , +46 70 560 15 84
  • Anna Mård, HR Officer, rekrytering@eecs.kth.se
Published 06.Dec.2018
Last application date 31.Dec.2018 11:59 PM CET

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