Postdoc Position: Uncertainty Quantification for Power Systems

1. Introduction

How do we keep a power grid stable when it runs on wind, sun and power electronics? And how far can we trust our simulations when so much about the future grid is uncertain? Answering these questions requires advanced numerical methods for modelling and simulating complex power systems. As a postdoc in the NWO-funded UTOPYS programme, you will help make a new real-time electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulator a reliable tool for research. Join a consortium of eight leading Dutch institutions, contribute to groundbreaking research and help shape the future of energy.

2. Job description

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a background in scientific computing to contribute to the development of computational methods for large-scale power system simulation. You will become a member of the Department of Mathematics at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) and join the research group of Gabriel Lord and Laura Scarabosio, as part of UTOPYS (Understanding Large, Complex Power Systems). UTOPYS is a ten-year programme to build a new theory of large, complex power systems, enabled by a state-of-the-art real-time power system simulator.

As renewables and power electronics come to dominate the grid, we face unexplained blackouts, wide-area oscillations and converter-driven instabilities that traditional theory cannot fully explain. To study them, UTOPYS is building a state-of-the-art real-time EMT simulation facility at TU Delft. A facility like this is only as valuable as the models that run on it, and those models depend on uncertain parameters, operating conditions and scenarios. Radboud’s contribution is to develop the uncertainty quantification methodology that makes simulation results on this infrastructure reliable and interpretable.

As a postdoc, you will develop and implement advanced methods for uncertainty quantification on the UTOPYS facility. This includes model reduction and system identification, for example deriving equivalent models of parts of the network and estimating parameters and topology changes from day-to-day measurements such as PMU data. You will also develop methods to generate realistic parameter families, so that large models can be populated with plausible, varied components rather than identical defaults. Together with the other UTOPYS postdocs, you will take part in regular joint sessions at TU Delft, where you will learn to work with the real-time EMT simulator and help build the shared transmission model. You will also participate in relevant conferences and workshops and publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals.

3. Profile

• You hold, or are working towards, a PhD degree in Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering or related (to be completed before the start date).
• You have a strong background in scientific computing and numerical analysis, and you possess software development skills (e.g., Python). Knowledge of uncertainty quantification or power systems is a plus.
• You are a team player who enjoys working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
• You have good verbal and written communication skills.
• You can manage complex projects to completion on schedule.

4.

We are

The position is part of the Applied Mathematics research group  within the Department of Mathematics at Radboud University. Research within the group is represented by Riccardo Cristoferi, Gabriel Lord, Vanja Nikolić, Laura Scarabosio, and Stefanie Sonner.

The Department of Mathematics  covers a broad range of topics in pure and applied mathematics, with strong interdisciplinary links and active collaborations with industry. It has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with a healthy balance between senior and early-career staff from around the world, and a community of more than 20 PhD candidates. There are regular research seminars as well as a number of informal events throughout the year.

The Department of Mathematics is part of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics within the Faculty of Science. Several activities are organised jointly across the institute to foster interdisciplinary interaction.

5.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of two years.
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Gabriel Lord. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on Tuesday 15 December and Wednesday 16 December. You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible.

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