PhD Position in Digital Power System Protection and Control
Times Higher Education, Norway
About the position
The Department of Electric Power Engineering has a vacancy for a 100% position as a PhD candidate within the field of Digital Power System Protection and Control. The prospective candidate will be part of a project team that works in close collaboration with Statnett, the Nordic Transmission System Operator (TSO) and local Distribution System Operators (DSOs).
The prospective candidate will work in the research group Power System Operation and Analysis .
The main supervisor of the PhD candidate will be Professor Irina Oleinikova . The project will be co-supervised by Professor Kjetil Uhlen ,
The position reports to the Head of Department.
Duties of the position
Job description
The objective of the PhD education is to qualify for scientific research of high international standard. The PhD education has a nominal duration of three years of full-time study and includes required coursework or similar academic training comprising a minimum of 30 credits. The most important component of the PhD education is an independent scientific research project carried out under academic supervision, which results in the PhD thesis. The PhD degree is conferred based on these two elements and the doctoral examination, which consists of a trial lecture and a public defense of the scientific thesis.
The candidate is expected to fully complete the course work and the PhD thesis within the period of employment, which could be 3 or 4 years. The doctoral examination may take place after the period of employment. The option of 4-year employment would imply 1 year of duties as Teaching Assistant for the Department and may be offered to a candidate with clear motivation and ability for such work, if the Department sees the need. This will be clarified during and after any interview.
Project description
The main objective of the project is to develop new knowledge, methods and tools for digital control and protection of power transmission systems based on PMU data to improve system stability and robustness to contingencies, and by this contribute to future stable and secure operation of the power system with an increased share of renewables generation.
The candidate will work on the development of robust and flexible System Protection Schemes (SPS) by applying real time measurements. The overall aim of system protection schemes is to maximize power transfer capability, and at the same time minimize the expected loss of load. However, as the number of such protection schemes grows, the reliability and dependability of the schemes themselves become crucial. Thus, the results of this work will provide a basis for developing SPS that takes control actions based on the current system state rather than pre-determined actions. This will increase power system reliability and efficiency of operation. The application areas relate to the operation of the Nordic power system, with focus on coordinated operation and control between TSOs and DSOs.
Required selection criteria
The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree with strong academic background, which implies a quality of education of high international standard, an average grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in electric power engineering or another relevant discipline, with a master’s thesis relevant for the topic of this PhD.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant .
Other qualifications:
Applicants must have very good English language skills, written and spoken. Applicants from non-English speaking countries outside EU/EEA/Switzerland must provide preliminary documentation of English language proficiency, in terms of an approved test. The following tests can be used: TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).
Further assessment of both written and oral English language skills and the ability to communicate fluently will be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interviews for all applicants.
Personal characteristics
In the evaluation of the candidates, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as personal motivation for the position, in terms of the qualification requirements specified above. We look for candidates who show clear signs of independence, original thinking and scientific mindset.
We offer
Salary and conditions
PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and the salary is NOK 479 600 before tax per year. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
The employment contract is for three years; however, there is a possibility for extension up to four years if selected for assistantship.
Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Electric Power Engineering. Applicants must be qualified for admission as PhD candidates at NTNU. See https://www.ntnu.edu/ie/research/phd for information about PhD studies at NTNU.
As a PhD candidate, you will have to successfully complete the PhD academic training programme; the training includes mandatory course work and other obligatory activities. Within the first three months of your employment, you must formally qualify for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.
The Department of Electric Power Engineering works closely with key players in the Norwegian electricity supply sector, who manage critical infrastructure. A comprehensive risk assessment of the candidates’ research interests and potential activities related to national threat assessments will therefore also form basis for the final selection of candidates.
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. 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 NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.
It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.
About the application
The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.
Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.
The application must contain:
- A cover letter where the applicant describes personal motivation and relevance with respect to the requirements of this advertisement.
- Project proposal (1-2 pages).
- CV including information pertaining to the given qualifications.
- Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
- The required documentation of English language proficiency.
- Names and contact information of at least two references.
- Emphasis will be placed on the quality of the cover letter in shortlisting of candidates. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
In the final assessment of the candidates, strategic considerations at the Department of Electric Power Engineering will also be taken into account.
NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment – DORA.
General information
Working at NTNU
A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.
The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.
As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.
According to the Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.
Questions about the position can be directed to Professor Irina Oleinikova, irina.oleinikova@ntnu.no , or to Head of Department Ole-Morten Midtgård, ole-morten.midtgard@ntnu.no .
Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI) .
Application deadline: 01.11.2020.
NTNU – knowledge for a better world
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.
Department of Electric Power Engineering
The Department of Electric Power Engineering is one of the seven departments at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Our department is Norway’s leading in the field, and our vision is to be at the centre of the digital, green shift. We have excellent collaboration with business and industry as well as other universities and research organizations internationally. This gives us outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary research with high relevance for the society, addressing industrial needs and global challenges.
Deadline 1st November 2020
Employer NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service NTNU Campus Gløshaugen