At the Department of Energy at Aalborg University (AAU Energy), a position as Postdoc in Hybrid Energy Routers for Asynchronous SAFEr Grid is open for appointment from September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible hereafter. The position is available for a period of 2 years and is based at Aalborg University’s campus in Aalborg. The position is funded in the new European Research Council (ERC) Synergy grant on Store-and-Forward Energy grid (SAFEr Grid), which unlocks a new power grid architecture. The project is held in collaboration with RWTH Aachen, Germany.
You will be part of the research group Reliability of Power Electronic Converters (ReliaPEC), which is placed in the section for Applied Power Electronic Systems. The position is closely connected to our activities within energy efficiency and smart power converter architecture, and your work will contribute to the development of new knowledge within this field.
Your work tasks
The energy transition poses fundamental challenges for our power grids: large conventional power plants with synchronous generators are being replaced by small-scale renewable energy sources with flexible storage units, which are typically interfaced via power electronics converters. This transformation drastically enhances bottom-up flexibility opportunities, that can be aggregated from distribution and routed towards the transmission level. However, there are many legacy devices in power grids, that are not only costly to replace but also limit flexible routing of energy.
This poses the following key research questions for the power grid community:
- How can we ensure flexible routing of energy in a bottom-up manner from distribution to
transmission scale? - Will hybrid energy routers ensure asynchronicity under faults, power swings, unstable conditions?
- How will the topology of hybrid energy routers vary across distribution systems, virtual power plants, energy communities and renewable farms?
The aim is to address the systemic challenges behind current power grid operation by incrementally conceptualizing asynchronicity using power electronics as a fundamental block. Inspired by the structural principles of the internet, the store-and-forward logic to control energy will be augmented into power electronic converters for real-time dynamic response and handling contingencies. As a result, power electronics will sustainably transform the current synchronous, monolithic system into multiple decentralized, modular asynchronous grids.
AAU Energy is dedicated to contributing to the development of innovative concepts and technologies that will not only make future power systems more reliable but also actively facilitate the success of the energy transition. In this position you will conduct research within power systems and power electronics for next-generation grid architectures, with a particular focus on modelling and design of hybrid energy routers enabling asynchronous and decentralized power grids. You will be involved in both independent and collaborative research activities in close interaction with colleagues in the group and external partners in Denmark and abroad.
You will work with the design and execution of research studies, the analysis and interpretation of data, and the dissemination of results in high-quality scientific outlets. Your daily work will typically involve a combination of independent research and collaboration in project teams, where you help develop concepts, methods and solutions that are relevant for the energy sector.
In particular, you will be involved in modelling and designing hybrid energy routers around legacy
transformers, developing new control strategies for asynchronous grid operation, analysing energy router topologies and quantifying flexibility from each asynchronous grid across distribution and transmission systems, and validating system performance under unstable grid conditions and contingencies.
You will be expected to contribute to scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals and to present your work at conferences, workshops and meetings with partners. You will collaborate with researchers across the department and, where relevant, with industrial or public stakeholders, and you are expected to work closely with colleagues from RWTH Aachen and visit their facilities dependent on project needs. The position may include a limited amount of teaching and supervision of students at bachelor’s and master’s level, for example in the form of project supervision or involvement in courses related to your expertise. Depending on project needs, you may also take part in preparing applications for external research funding and in supporting the development of new research directions at the department.
Your competencies
You hold a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Power Electronics or a closely related field or can document equivalent scientific qualifications at PhD level. Your research profile is clearly connected to power electronics and future power grid architectures, and you can demonstrate experience with distributed control, cyber-physical systems, smart transformers, machine learning, power systems or systems engineering.
You have solid skills in modelling and simulation using software tools such as MATLAB, PLECS or PSCAD, and programming for system analysis and control design and you are comfortable working systematically with complex technical problems. Experience with interdisciplinary and international collaboration or advanced power system applications will be an advantage, as will a documented ability to publish in international journals.
You communicate clearly in English, both orally and in writing, and you can present your work to both specialists and non-specialists. If you already speak Danish or would like to learn it, this will be an asset in everyday life at the university and in Danish society, and language courses are available locally.
You are motivated by working in an international academic environment, where you collaborate closely with colleagues, share knowledge and contribute actively to joint projects, while also managing your own tasks in a structured and responsible way. You are curious, open to feedback and able to move projects forward from idea to concrete results within agreed deadlines.
Who we are
AAU Energy is a research department at Aalborg University dedicated to the development of clean and sustainable energy systems. Our activities cover electrical, thermal and mechatronic energy technologies, and we work closely with industrial partners and other academic environments to address real‑world energy challenges.
The department is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Aalborg campus.
AAU Energy employs around 250 staff members at different career stages and from a broad range of national backgrounds. This creates an international and interdisciplinary research environment with many opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. English is widely used as the working language in research and teaching, which makes it straightforward for international colleagues to integrate.
We offer access to advanced laboratory and workshop facilities and an environment where you can develop your academic profile through research, teaching and collaboration with both Danish and international external partners. As a workplace we value a collegial and inclusive culture with room for professional discussion, initiative and mutual support in everyday life. New colleagues, whether they come from elsewhere in Denmark or from abroad, can draw on the university’s support services related to relocation, housing and practical matters.
You can read more about AAU Energy at www.energy.aau.dk.
Qualification requirements
Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
How to apply
Your application must include the following:
- Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma)
- List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications.
- Documentation of teaching qualifications if relevant.
- Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc.
- Additional qualifications in relation to the position
- References/recommendations
You can read more about the requirements for your application here.
The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.
Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.
For professional questions, please contact Associated Professor Subham Sahoo, sssa@energy.aau.dk, +459940 7088 or Professor Frede Blaabjerg, fbl@energy.aau.dk, Mobil +452129 2454
Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Interviews are expected to be held during June 2026.
Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here
The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.
The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.
Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).
Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).
There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.
Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.