Postdoc energy communities: combining data science and power systems

The research (and teaching) activities of KU Leuven/ESAT/ELECTA cover a wide spectrum in smart energy systems and control.
The research group has been active since the 1960s and currently has 12 full-time professors and 90+ PhD students. It is active in Leuven, Genk and Ghent. ELECTA is a founding member of the KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society. ELECTA is also one of the driving forces behind EnergyVille (www.energyville.be), which unites KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt for research on sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems.
Prof. Deconinck’s team is focussing on different aspects of distributed control in cyber-physical energy systems.
In some of our earlier projects we investigated how flexibility can be managed in a distributed residential context. Currently, we are extending this work towards energy communities, where shared storage and flexibility can play a crutial role if the available data is well managed.

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Responsibilities

This postdoc position will participate in different projects that we are currently involved with (CETP-project “DigiRES”, HE-project “U2Demo”, …)

They all focus on flexibility management applications in energy communities, where data science meets power systems. 

Profile

You have:

• A PhD in Engineering Science e.g energy, electrical, data science, …
• Several Q1 journal publications in this field.
• Both application knowledge (smart grids) and data skills are key.
• Critical and creative thinking skills.
• Independence and initiative.
• Autonomy, reliability in teamwork and good communication skills.
• Excellent proficiency in English (speaking, listening and writing).

Given the funding constraints and the timeline, we prefer candidates from within the European Economic Area, and with a PhD degree from a university within the EEA .
Please indicate clearly in the motivation letter your relevant previous experience and knowledge, and your grades. 

Offer

• A one-year postdoctoral position at KU Leuven, with the possibility for extension.
• The opportunity to participate in exciting scientific projects carried out within ELECTA, in close collaboration with the academic and industrial project partners .
• Access to state-of-the-art technologies, core facilities and technical support
• The opportunity to be part of in an exciting and international research environment, engage in research collaborations and participate in international conferences
• A flexible working culture with opportunity to up to 40% remote working.
• Benefits such as health insurance, access to university sports facilities, etc.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Geert Deconinck, tel.: +32 16 32 11 26, mail: [email protected].

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