Postdoctoral Fellow in “Applied control system design for real-time operation of power systems”
Deadline: 01.05.2023
University of South-Eastern Norway
The University of South-Eastern Norway, USN, is one of Norways largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees across eight different campuses.
We offer studies, research and knowledge dissemination, all targeting various professions and working life and with a high level of quality internationally. Our goal as a University is to create value both for the individual student and for business and commerce, the public sector and society in general. We achieve this by utilising the best tools we have: education and research.
USN is a University with a strong social commitment where studies and working life are integrated. At USN, we focus on practice-relevant, profession-oriented and applied research and education.
The students shall benefit from innovative educational methods and challenging studies closely associated with society's requirements and needs. They will learn how to adapt to a society and working life that is constantly changing. The University shall meet major social challenges with knowledge and expertise, helping to promote practical solutions, structural changes and new ways of thinking. USN`s academic activities shall be embodied by a clear dedication to the USN`s sustainable development goals. The University aims to realise this main profile in close cooperation with society and working life.
For more information on USN, please go to www.usn.no
The Faculty of Technology, NaturalSciences and Maritime Sciences have a vacancy for a post as Postdoctoral Fellow in “Applied control system design for real-time operation of power systems”
About the position
The Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences (TNM) has a vacancy for a 100 % position as Postdoctoral Fellow in ”Applied control system design for real-time power system operation ” from August. 1, 2023.
The position is located at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, and Cybernetics and reports to the Head of Department. The place of employment is Porsgrunn.
Responsibilities and duties
The electricity sector is undergoing a transition toward higher shares of intermittent renewable sources. Hydropower facilities will provide new services in the new mix of sources and be a key agent in securing a sustainable energy transition. Its super-flexible abilities can be an actor for large-scale energy storage, power system stability improvements, demand-side management, and increased interconnections. In the future, increased demands for capacity, flexibility, and stability will require coordinated R&D involvement from all players in these processes (e.g., grid owners, power producers, and the supervisory authority).
The position is part of the research project: System optimization between the power producer and grid owners for more efficient system services (SysOpt). For more information, go to the webpage: https://sysopt.usn.no/ In this project, Transmission and Distribution System Operators (TSO and DSOs) go together with power producers and other service providers to develop new competencies, break technology barriers, and propose innovative methods related to voltage control. The goal is to strengthen the future power system operational security of supply and power transfer capability while reducing investment costs and transmission losses by optimizing the interplay between the power producer and grid owners through enhanced coordinated actions.
The position will collaborate with both industry and PhD students and work within the Work Package 3 of the project SysOpt. This work will focus on implementing and testing the innovations developed in the project to show Proof-Of-Concept (POC) and aim for best-practice solutions. A new hydropower control design combined with grid side access and controllability will be the focus of the work.
The appointment is for a term of 2 years.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a Norwegian doctorate or equivalent education abroad in Automation Engineering or Control System Design. The applicant should have a solid knowledge of advanced control systems, the development of models for dynamic systems, strong programming skills, and some practical experience in working within a laboratory environment. Moreover, experience on power system operation or hydropower systems would benefit the position.
Good written and oral English language skills is required. Experience with publishing papers and having experience in teaching activities are an advantage.
The candidate must have the ability to work independently and at the same time have the motivation to share knowledge and take part in teamwork. Co-operation between staff members is an integrated part of the working atmosphere at the University of South-Eastern Norway. The candidate must be motivated and demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively within a team and in a collegiate manner to formulate and realise common objectives. Personal suitability for the post will be emphasised.
The research area for the position can include technologies referred to in the Ministry`s export control regulations. For your information relevant license or security clearance may therefore be required. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to USN.
Personal characteristics
Strongly motivated
Be structured, targeted and solution oriented
Have motivation to work interdisciplinary
Have good dissemination skills
Personal skills like a positive and friendly attitude. Contribution to a sustainable social environment will also be valued
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal suitability, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement.
We offer
We offer
A professionally stimulating working environment.
Good opportunities to develop your career and your academic skills
A good social environment
Attractive welfare benefits in the State Pension Plan
Opportunity for physical activities within working hours
Salary
The position as postdoctoral fellow (postdoktor) (code 1352) is placed in the state salary scale at levels 59–72, depending on seniority. A statutory contribution will be made from the employee’s salary to the state pension plan.
Additional information
The Academic Appointments Board is responsible for appointments to academic positions at University College of Southeast Norway. An expert assessment of applicants will be carried out. Short-listed candidates will be called in for interviews and must be prepared to present and discuss their projects.
The successful applicant must comply with the laws, regulations and agreements that apply to the position.
It is an aim of personnel policy that the academic staff of University of South-Eastern Norway should reflect the composition of the general population. It is therefore a personnel policy objective to achieve a balanced age and gender composition on the faculty and to recruit people from ethnic minority backgrounds. People from ethnic minority backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the position.
There are few women employed in research positions at the Department, and consequently women are especially encouraged to apply.
According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information act § 25 2 paragraph, information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, even though the applicant has requested non-disclosure. The applicant will be informed if his/her request has been declined.
Contact information
For more information about the position, please contact:
Main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Thomas Øyvang, thomas.oyvang@usn.no / +47 35 57 51 55
For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact:
University of South-Eastern Norway uses online applications. We therefore ask applicants to register their application and CV online by clicking on the "Send application” link to the right.
The application must include the following documents:
1. Certified diplomas and certificates from university college/university
2. PhD thesis
3. A 5-page (maximum) project description. The candidate should describe how he/she would carry out the tasks if he/she is offered this position. The description can also contain new ideas or methods that the candidate would think of using them for the execution of this project.
4. Any scientific publications and a list of these
5. Three references (contact information)
Please note that all documents must be translated into English or a Scandinavian language by an authorized translator. Any translations must be certified.
The application will be assessed on the basis of the attached documentation as requested above. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that the required documentation has been uploaded with the application deadline.
