Doctoral student in Power system optimization - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

The Alternating Current Optimal Power Flow (AC OPF) problem is at the heart of economically efficient and reliable electricity transmission network operation. The AC OPF and its variants are large-scale nonconvex optimization problems which are hard to solve. However, efficient AC OPF calculation could save billions of euros per year and reduce harmful emissions. Today, the major AC OPF computational challenge is to consistently find a global AC OPF solution using fast and robust solution techniques.
Accordingly, we will pursue the following five objectives: First, we will explore the recent nonconvex optimization techniques for solving the AC OPF problem. Second, we consider the security and ramping constraints in the AC OPF derivations and see how those nonconvex optimization techniques can be used. Third, the binary decisions involved in network optimization are considered in the AC OPF solution algorithm developments. Fourth, we address limited observability issue for online AC OPF calculation.

Finally, the difficult problem of optimal pricing in electricity markets with nonconvexities will be investigated using the suggested nonconvex optimization technique(s). We expect that the developed theoretical results offer promise not only for solving the AC OPF and its variants, but they provide a strong alternative approach to solve nonconvex optimization problems.
More info

Third-cycle subject: Electrical Engineering.

Supervision: Associate Professor Mohammad Reza Hesamzadeh  https://www.kth.se/profile/mrhesa)

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Admission requirements

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 second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

The applicant must meet all the general entry requirements for PhD students as indicated in the above bullet points at KTH.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. Candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach, 
• analyse and work with complex issues, 
• master strong computer programming skills for example using Julia/Python, MATLAB, or GAMS programming languages,
• show knowledge of EU electricity market designs and involvement in electricity-market related projects,
• show excellent English-language skills proved by international English exams such as IELTS or TOEFL,
• present relevant papers in the areas of applied mathematics, operations research, or electricity markets and
• present proven ability to work in an international team of researchers and collaborate with other team members.

The candidate must have least an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Economics, Operations Research or Applied Mathematics. Proven excellent knowledge of non-convex optimization theory, discrete optimization theory, stochastic processes, mathematical decomposition techniques, and electricity-market principles. Students with MSc degrees from other disciplines (for example physics or mathematics) who are interested in and capable of performing theoretical research in electricity-market areas are recommended to apply. 

The candidate must be able to nominate at least two reference persons who can comment on the applicant scientific performance. 

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

Contact information KTH's website.

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

Contact information section's website.

To apply for the position

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/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include:

• 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)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

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

We firmly decline all contact with staffing, 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.