This project offers excellent opportunity to work on novel aspects related to testing new control and protection concepts for multi-terminal HVDC power systems.
Job description
In the framework of the ongoing InterOpera project with TSOs and vendors, two researcher positions are available. The project deals with the investigation of the interaction between the control and protection in multi-terminal HVDC (MTDC) power systems during different system scenarios (e.g. AC/DC faults). The project includes extensive testing using online real-time simulation RSCAD/RTDS and offline PSCAD simulation. The project is acomplisehed together with industrial partners from differernt European utilities and vendors.
We offer one-year appointments, with an anticipated date in November 2026. You will be a member of the section Intelligent Electrical Power Grids that makes part of the Electrical Sustainable Department (ESE) within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science. This project offers excellent opportunities to work in a dynamic team consisting of experts from academia, utilities, and manufacturers. Conducting off-line simulations are validated by hardware in the loop testing, our intention in this project is to investigate how the future multi-terminal multi-vendor HVDC grid will behave, so that we can enhance the reliability of future systems which yet are supposed to be built.
You will be supervised by Prof. Dr. M. Popov and Dr. A. Lekić. You will be a member of the section Intelligent Electrical Power Grids in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science. The project offers excellent opportunities, on one side, to collaborate with with world-leading manufactuers of HVDC control and protection equipment and, on another side, with European system operators.
About the department
The research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:
- DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
- High voltage technology (HVT)
- Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
- Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
The Electrical Sustainable Energy Department provides expertise in each of these areas throughout the entire energy system chain. The department owns a large ESP laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and large RTDS that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection, and wide-area monitoring and protection. Furthermore, the department own one of the largest academic RTDS infrastructure equiped with additional labs for performing Control and Protection HiL testing.
The Intelligent Electrical Power Grid (IEPG) group, headed by Prof. Dr. Peter Palensky, works on the future of our power system. The goal is to generate, transmit and use electrical energy in a highly reliable, efficient, stable, clean, affordable, and safe way. IEPG integrates new power technologies and smart controls, which interact with other systems and allow for more distributed and variable generation.
Job requirements
- Experience and comprehensive knowledge using PSCAD or RSCAD.
- Excellent knowledge of power electronic devices operation, control and protection for HVDC power systems.
- Completed a MSc degree in a highly technical related discipline (electrical engineering, etc.) and you were at the top of your class.
- Excellent English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
- You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn.
- You are keen to work with other co-workers and partners, link real-world challenges and contribute to the ongoing energy transition.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.
For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.
At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.
Conditions of employment
- Duration of contract is 1 year Temporary
- A job of 38-40 hours per week.
- A salary based on Scale 10 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €3546 - €5538 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
- An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
- The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
- Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
- Flexible working week.
- Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
- Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
- Partially paid parental leave
- Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Dr. M. Popov, via M.Popov@tudelft.nl and Dr. A. Lekić - A.Lekic@tudelft.nl. For information about the selection procedure, please contact Carla Jager, Secretary, IEPG group, email: c.p.jager@tudelft.nl. .
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 31 July 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV
- Motivational letter
- a list of grades of your qualifying degrees (BSc, MSc)
You can address your application to Prof. Dr. M. Popov. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Qualified candidates will be interviewed in the first round, and short-listed candidates will be invited invited for a second interview.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
